Evaporative Water Coolers - Not so cool Evaporative cooler

We live in a dry part of WA (yes there are dry, arid portions of WA state:) ). The last two days I cannot get this cooler to cool the house. The temp is 99 degrees, 47degrees dew point, 18% humidity. Are these not good conditions for cooling?? As far as I can tell, the cooler is working fine. Usually it works very well. Due to late coming heat, we only just now plugged it in. Plz help! I don't like being hot in my house.

beezers....
have you replaced the pads this season.....have you made sure the distribution lines are all clear of deposits and debris.....are the pads getting water....is the pump running ok...are the slots to distribute the water clear...do you have enuf windows or doors open to allow good airflow?

From a years experience here in AZ...about all you can hope for is a 20 degree drop below the outside temp if everything is working.

Just wondering, are you new to swamp coolers?

I replaced the pads before storing it last fall. The lines are all running clear and the pads are quite wet. We have had this cooler for 3-4 years now. It just seems that it has cooled better in the past. For airflow, I am not 100% sure on that as me and my hubby disagree on how much/many windows should be cracked. My thought is that if it is hard to open doors or the doors slam closed (outside doors) then the windows need to be opened more. It is a little more muggy here this week than normal, so maybe that is the problem. In previous summers, I have had to turn the cooler off during the day because it gets too cool in the house. Maybe as I get older, my memories aren't so accurate though. The heat makes it hard for me to think straight too.

Thanks for the info/advice. This is a great website. My dad was always my go to guy for help with things like this, but he went home to his heavenly father a year and a half ago.

You are probably correct about the humidity, ours has been a little higher lately, and I noticed the outflow air temp is not as cool as it was when it was drier outside. Works like a champ at 10% RH outside, higher than that and my air temp goes up about 8-10 degrees.

As to the windows, the Mastercool or Champion site had a test you can do, but I can't get to it right now.

I adjust mine in my garage based on the interior humidity level...if it starts to creep up, I'll open the door an inch or 2 to keep it around 32-35%.

Thanks for your help! I agree that the humidity is the issue. I hope it improves soon, we rarely have humidity for consecutive days like we have been. If you come up with the link for those websites, let me know. I looked on their sites a little, but I didn't find the test for airflow that you mentioned. Have a great summer. Thanks for your help.

Beezers

Per Champions (Essick Air) site.......

http://www.championcooler.com/eac/faqs.htm

"The cooler doesn't seem to be cooling.

You could have inadequate exhaust. For every 1,000 CFM of air delivery, 2 square feet of unrestricted air relief is needed. Check the water distribution system to ensure there is adequate water reaching the pads. Clean and/or replace the distribution system if needed. Also, check the pads to make sure they aren't clogged. If they are, clean and/or replace as needed."


As I said...I mounted a cheap electronic thermometer/humidity meter on the front of mine so I can get a better gauge of how well it's evaporating and what the air coming thru is in relation to the outside temp. Normally I'll get a 20degree drop over outside temp, even when the humidity is real high (like 20%, sorry all you folks that live on the coasts). Then I check elsewhere to see if it's getting too humid.

Sorry, I can't find the "test" that I saw before. As I remember, it was hold a paper towel in front of your open windows. It should flutter a bit, if its blown tight against the screen or opening, then you need more exhaust air. Seems to work in my garage/shop. If I close the door all the way, it gets clammy and humid, open the door 2-3" humidity drops quickly and room feels cooler.