Evaporative Water Coolers - Pulley size bigger to smaller okay?
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Sistum Id
04-27-09, 05:50 PM
I'm looking to change the blower pulley but I have a few questions about replacing a 14 x 1 zinc blower pulley. I have blown a year old motor and a week old motor, lucky I had them laying around at my work so now I'm cautious to not blow the next motor since I payed for this one. So far now I changed the bearings. Checked all electrical from breaker, to switch, to outlet plug to motor. Replaced the wall switch for the heck of it. I've changed the bearings now as well.
1) When the cooler is running it looks like the blower pulley is bent, but when I eye it or put it on a flat surface its fine. But it looks damn out of shape when running, is it some illusion?
2) Since I'm looking to replace the pulley on the blower I cant find the same size at my local stores and I'm wondering if this will cause an issue? Biggest I can find is 12 x 1.
3) I haven't checked the amp draw which alot of people are telling me to check. I will check this later tonight when I go pick up a amp meter.
4) Does it matter if the pulley size is changed on the motor shaft?
1) When the cooler is running it looks like the blower pulley is bent, but when I eye it or put it on a flat surface its fine. But it looks damn out of shape when running, is it some illusion?
2) Since I'm looking to replace the pulley on the blower I cant find the same size at my local stores and I'm wondering if this will cause an issue? Biggest I can find is 12 x 1.
3) I haven't checked the amp draw which alot of people are telling me to check. I will check this later tonight when I go pick up a amp meter.
4) Does it matter if the pulley size is changed on the motor shaft?
GregH
04-27-09, 06:14 PM
I assume that because you posted in the evap cooler forum that this is what the blower is for.
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
Sistum Id
04-27-09, 06:28 PM
I assume that because you posted in the evap cooler forum that this is what the blower is for.
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
The swamp cooler is pretty old 10+ and from the sun has wore the markings on the cooler itself.
When I moved in last summer I replaced the motor with excately same size and the motor run for 4 months until now when I went to start it back up. I cycled it on and off over the winter for a few minutes. Everything was fine until last week until I went full time with it.
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
The swamp cooler is pretty old 10+ and from the sun has wore the markings on the cooler itself.
When I moved in last summer I replaced the motor with excately same size and the motor run for 4 months until now when I went to start it back up. I cycled it on and off over the winter for a few minutes. Everything was fine until last week until I went full time with it.
sammy37
04-28-09, 09:36 AM
I assume that because you posted in the evap cooler forum that this is what the blower is for.
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
Changing the blower pulley to a smaller size will not make it run slower, it will run faster. I have done it several times on two stage mastercools to overcome the intake air restriction.
To the original poster, is this a rooftop unit? Could you measure the width of the blower housing so we can get a better idea of what size cooler this is, then we can help you decide what size motor you should have.
Your problem with motors will not be truly solved until you find out what is suppose to be on there.
Also, you can not know what pulley to use until after you determine the speed the blower is suppose to run at.
Using a blower pulley that is smaller will cause the fan to move less air making it less effective.
You should see if you can find the specs on your unit to know what the proper motor/pulley sizing should be.
Do you have the make and model of the cooler?
Changing the blower pulley to a smaller size will not make it run slower, it will run faster. I have done it several times on two stage mastercools to overcome the intake air restriction.
To the original poster, is this a rooftop unit? Could you measure the width of the blower housing so we can get a better idea of what size cooler this is, then we can help you decide what size motor you should have.
sammy37
04-28-09, 09:41 AM
The swamp cooler is pretty old 10+ and from the sun has wore the markings on the cooler itself.
When I moved in last summer I replaced the motor with excately same size and the motor run for 4 months until now when I went to start it back up. I cycled it on and off over the winter for a few minutes. Everything was fine until last week until I went full time with it.
Can you describe this cooler a little? Is it metal, plastic? Give me some cabinet dimensions and where and how the cooler is mounted. Also I need to know if it is ducted through several ducts or if it just dumps into one area. You need to adjust the pulley on that motor to compensate for certain duct applications.
When I moved in last summer I replaced the motor with excately same size and the motor run for 4 months until now when I went to start it back up. I cycled it on and off over the winter for a few minutes. Everything was fine until last week until I went full time with it.
Can you describe this cooler a little? Is it metal, plastic? Give me some cabinet dimensions and where and how the cooler is mounted. Also I need to know if it is ducted through several ducts or if it just dumps into one area. You need to adjust the pulley on that motor to compensate for certain duct applications.
lefty
05-15-09, 04:37 PM
Sistum Id,
If the pulley woobles side to side when it's on the unit and running, and yet the pulley itself is true when you check it on a flat surface, then you have a bent shaft.
As far as going to a smaller blower pulley, you'll probably have to go to a larger motor if you do that, or go to a smaller motor pulley to compensate for the decreased diameter of the blower pulley. The blower speed and the motor size have to match. A smaller blower pulley with the same motor pulley will be trying to turn the blower too fast for a 1/2HP motor to deal with.
If the pulley woobles side to side when it's on the unit and running, and yet the pulley itself is true when you check it on a flat surface, then you have a bent shaft.
As far as going to a smaller blower pulley, you'll probably have to go to a larger motor if you do that, or go to a smaller motor pulley to compensate for the decreased diameter of the blower pulley. The blower speed and the motor size have to match. A smaller blower pulley with the same motor pulley will be trying to turn the blower too fast for a 1/2HP motor to deal with.