My Evaporative Cooler Has No Air Flow

Evaporative coolers are becoming increasingly popular nowadays and for several good reasons:

• They provide sufficient cooling at an affordable price
• They are cheap to operate and easy to maintain
• They almost never break down

The main reason they are so economical is due to the fact that they operate along a basic design. Evaporative coolers have few electronic components.

This makes these coolers extremely reliable. Air conditioners and other cooling appliances have complex electronic systems. There is no doubt about the fact that appliances that have complex systems require more maintenance. In addition, when these machines break down, it is quite expensive to get them repaired. Even though evaporative coolers seldom break down, the repair costs, if any, will fall well within your budget.

The best part is that these coolers are cheap to purchase. A good quality evaporative cooler can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of an air conditioner. Moreover, evaporative coolers can be used anywhere. If you want cool air near the pool area, the evaporative will not fail to disappoint.

Troubleshooting an air cooler is quite simple. You can perform most of the diagnostics and repairs on your own. You do not even need to be qualified to identify most minor issues.

There are some things that can go wrong with evaporative coolers. However, these issues are quite minor and can be fixed easily. In most cases, the issue is not with the evaporative cooler directly.

There are a few external aspects that can affect the proper functionality of evaporative coolers:

The most common issue you may face with evaporative coolers, such as the Luma Comfort EC110S, is inconsistent or no air flow.

This issue is almost never a result of mechanical failure. In almost every other case, the cause of the problem is an external issue.

The most common reason the evaporative cooler may not be giving a good air flow is because of the circuit breaker and fuse of the evaporative cooler, which are installed by the manufacturer to prevent damage to the unit.

If there is a power surge, you can be sure that the unit will not be damaged. The worst that can happen is that the circuit breaker will trip or the fuse will be blown.

As soon as you reset the breaker and replace the fuse, the unit will begin working again. Replacing the fuse and resetting the breaker is easy and can be done within a matter of minutes.

To replace the fuse:

1. Remove the old one and check the ampere rating on it
2. Once you check the rating, purchase a new fuse and replace it

Tip: If you experience power surges quite frequently, then it is best to keep a few fuses stocked at home. Simply remove one fuse and take it to an electronic supply store. Keep a couple of fuses handy in the event the fuse of your evaporative cooler blows.

The circuit breaker, on the other hand, does not require much of an effort to reset. There are different types of breakers installed across various models of evaporative coolers. At times, resetting the breaker is as simple as flicking a switch. In other cases, it is a bit more complex. But the good thing about circuit breakers is that you only have to reset them once to get a hang of it.

Do keep in mind that blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers are not the only reason for your cooler not working.

Once you have replaced the fuse and reset the breaker, you should check if the evaporative cooler is working properly. If the issue was a blown fuse or a tripped breaker, then the cooler should work perfectly. But if the cooler is still not working, then you should consider further troubleshooting.

If your area has constant power surges, then the issue may be a little more complex than a tripped circuit breaker.

To check this:

1. Look for the wires that lead to the breaker and the fuse. Under normal circumstances, these wires should be flexible and in perfect condition. If the wires are stiff and discolored, you may have faulty wiring.
2. Also look for black areas around the spot where the wires are attached to the circuit breaker. If the wires along this area are discolored, black or parched, you will need to replace the breaker.
3. The wiring that goes along with the breaker will need to be replaced. At times, replacing the breaker is a simple task. You will need to remove the old breaker and source one just like it. It should be easy to locate a circuit breaker for an evaporative cooler at an electronics supply store.
4. Once you have the breaker, you can reattach the wires and install the new breaker.
5. If the wires are damaged as well, you will need to get help with that. In most cases, the wires are not excessively soiled. The ends can be clipped and stripped. This will allow you to use the same wires. If this is the case, you won't have to do much. But if the wires are completely damaged, you may need to get help from a technician.

To understand how a thermostat acts faulty, you must understand how it works when it acts right:

• Evaporative coolers have a built-in thermostat. The main purpose of the thermostat is to regulate the temperature of the room.
• When you turn the cooler on, you can set the temperature and you are free to select any temperature you want.
• Once the temperature of the room matches the temperature you set, the cooler will shut down.
• As soon as the temperature rises, the cooler will restart.

If the thermostat is faulty, the cooler will get the signal that the room temperature that you entered has been met. In this case, you need to replace the thermostat.

In some evaporative coolers, replacing the thermostat is simple. In other models, the task may be more complex and will require the services of a professional. You should troubleshoot the issue, but if you have the slightest doubt about whether you will be able to fix it or not, you should call a technician.

Note: At times, the issue may be worsened due to improper installation.

You should also have a voltmeter installed in the power socket in which the evaporative cooler is connected. This will give you an idea of the voltage you are receiving.

Sometimes the evaporative cooler does not work simply because the voltage is not sufficient hence you cannot expect it to cool the surroundings.

If there are issues regarding voltage in your area, consider installing a voltage stabilizer.

Advantages of a voltage stabilizer:

• Will give your evaporative cooler sufficient voltage to run properly.
• You will also notice that the breaker will trip less and you will experience fewer blown fuses.

Do keep in mind that if the evaporative cooler runs for too long on insufficient voltage, it could get damaged. When an electronic item is operating on low voltage, the wires tend to heat up. The entire unit could short circuit and you would have no choice but to replace it.

If all of the troubleshooting you performed so far did not help in locating the issue, you should inspect the internal components.

• The first component you should check is the fan belt. Sometimes the belt that connects the fan and the motor slips and comes off. If the belt is not in place, the fan will not run. The motor runs but since the belt has slipped, the fan does not turn.
• To remedy this situation, you should simply put the belt back into place. If the belt is soiled or broken, you will need to order a replacement. This is a pretty easy fix and the belt does not cost a lot. But if the belt isn't in its proper place, you could be looking at a motor failure. This is one problem for which you definitely have to call in a professional.

How to check for motor failure:

1. The best way to check this is to turn on the fan for a while and then turn it off.
2. Remove the plug from the socket and remove the casing.
3. Touch the motor to see if it is hot. If the motor is emitting heat, you will need to get help from a technician. The technician may replace or repair the motor, depending on the severity of the issue. This failure is extremely rare as evaporative fan motors are quite durable.

If you experience this issue with your evaporative cooler, you should perform these troubleshooting tips. In most cases, these tips come in handy unless of course the issue is that of a faulty motor.