How to Wire a Swamp Cooler Motor
Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers and swampers, are cheaper to purchase and run than air conditioner units, but only function well in hot, dry climates.
The motor in a swamp cooler turns a blower which moves air in from outside the cooler, through evaporative pads and out through a vent or ducting into the living area. The manufacturers of blower motors do not subscribe to a universal color code for their wiring, so making inquiries of the blower motor manufacturer’s customer care personnel may be necessary.
Things You Will Need
- Swamp cooler motor
- Soldering kit
- Shrink-wrap kit
Tip
Check to make sure the old motor did not malfunction due to water spraying on it from the evaporative section of the cooler. If water or mist is blowing on the motor location, rectify this before wiring in the replacement.
Warning
Always ensure power is disconnected at the breaker board to any circuit before working on it.
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Determine that the motor is 120-volt if intended for use in a normal household scenario. Very often the manufacturer will print or emboss this information on the nameplate; if not, contact customer support personnel with the product code number from the plate and ask for the information. Also discover the exact color-coding functionality of the wires used for your swamp cooler motor.
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Observe the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting the wires to the terminals. Motors for regular household use are available with either one or two speeds. A two-speed motor will typically be prefitted with four short wires which must be connected to the swamp cooler control circuit and the 120-volt circuit. Solder all connections and use a shrink-wrap insulation kit to seal the connections. Typically the color-coded connections should be made as explained in the following steps.
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Connect the green wire to the ground in the 120-volt circuit.
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Connect the red wire to the low fan speed in the control circuit.
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Connect the black wire to high fan speed in the 120-volt circuit.
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Connect the white wire to neutral in the 120-volt circuit.
The Drip Cap
- Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers and swampers, are cheaper to purchase and run than air conditioner units, but only function well in hot, dry climates.
- The manufacturers of blower motors do not subscribe to a universal color code for their wiring, so making inquiries of the blower motor manufacturer’s customer care personnel may be necessary.
- Motors for regular household use are available with either one or two speeds.
- Connect the white wire to neutral in the 120-volt circuit.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
John Cagney Nash began composing press releases and event reviews for British nightclubs in 1982. His material was first published in the "Eastern Daily Press." Nash's work focuses on American life, travel and the music industry. In 1998 he earned an OxBridge doctorate in philosophy and immediately emigrated to America.
Photo Credits
- Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
- Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
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