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Swamp cooler problems

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KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 9:56:04 AM6/3/13
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Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads getting
little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes and they seem
to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is plugged up. Anyone
have any ideas to clear it without disassembling the whole distribution
system? Temps are well above 100 and will get worse as time goes on. I'm 78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting tube
from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I don't have
much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon





rlz

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Jun 3, 2013, 10:55:01 AM6/3/13
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You might try using an arts-and-craft pipe cleaner in the hub. Since
there is no electrical/mechanical mechanism in the hub, it basically
has to be a clog. I would start by cleanning the hub as good as can
be, then crimp off the known-good lines. This would allow more water
pressure thru the bad lines. Hopefully this helps dislodge the
blockage.

Of course, this is easier said than done, if you're on a hot roof, or
up on a ladder. Good luck with it.

Robin

Retired

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Jun 3, 2013, 11:41:35 AM6/3/13
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Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

hrho...@sbcglobal.net

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Jun 3, 2013, 12:36:11 PM6/3/13
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You need something acidic to dissolve built-up crud. Try vinegar
first, then stronger stuff if that fails.

KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 12:53:32 PM6/3/13
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rlz <ro...@ellzey.net> wrote in
news:62e7a35e-a864-4c2c...@v2g2000yqa.googlegroups.com:
Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

>
> Of course, this is easier said than done, if you're on a hot roof, or
> up on a ladder. Good luck with it.
>
> Robin
>



KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 12:55:42 PM6/3/13
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Retired <Ret...@home.com> wrote in
news:ydadnY5QYpGtJDHM...@giganews.com:
Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler pump?
If so, I'll try it.

Oren

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Jun 3, 2013, 1:09:21 PM6/3/13
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On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK <inv...@invalid.com> wrote:

>
>Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
>tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
>A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
>avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...

KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 1:24:17 PM6/3/13
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"hrho...@sbcglobal.net" <hrho...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:e212c8e1-51ef-481d...@20g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:
I have a gallon of distilled white binegar. Say put the cooler pump in a
baking pan, add three cups of vinegar, turn on. Better yet, as some one
else suggested, plug the working lines to concentrate the vinegar where
it is needed.

Problem I see is that quite possibly the house will smell of ninegar, or
if that doesn't work, perhaps swimming pool acid, for a few months. I
don't think the vinegar or acid will harm the pump, pads, etc. when it
gets mixed into all the cooler water.

KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 1:57:00 PM6/3/13
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Oren <Or...@127.0.0.1> wrote in news:9ajpq85a98rv2hku9bejhlo2gs4r73su27@
4ax.com:
Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.

chaniarts

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Jun 3, 2013, 2:15:37 PM6/3/13
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they make plugs for 1/8" tubing. available in the drip irrigation system
area of home depot.

it's not very high pressure. i would bet duct tape would work for
temporary plugs.

KenK

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Jun 3, 2013, 2:18:32 PM6/3/13
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chaniarts <chan...@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in
news:koim7r$3oo$1...@dont-email.me:
I'll bet you're right on the duct tape! Thanks. Saves me a trip to
HD/Lowes.

Oren

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Jun 3, 2013, 2:21:37 PM6/3/13
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Um, bottle corks (cork or plastic) or whittle a tree limb to fit....

Oren

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Jun 3, 2013, 2:26:36 PM6/3/13
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On 3 Jun 2013 18:18:32 GMT, KenK <inv...@invalid.com> wrote:

>I'll bet you're right on the duct tape! Thanks. Saves me a trip to
>HD/Lowes.
>

"We all know there's nothing duct tape can't do. This makes it
official"

_Paraplegic mum goes duct-taped surfing on South Australia's West
Coast _

Cool video:

<http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/paraplegic-mum-goes-duct-taped-surfing-on-south-australias-west-coast/story-e6frea83-1226655084953>

Retired

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Jun 3, 2013, 2:29:10 PM6/3/13
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I was thinking that if the normal flow and pressure is not clearing
the blockage, you need something to reverse the pressure and flow.

Perhaps you could try "reverse blowing" the lines and hub with water
pressure from a garden hose. Might be a bit messy !

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 3, 2013, 5:26:23 PM6/3/13
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That dustoff stuff is probably hydro-bromo-choloro-fluoro-metzo-piano-carbons, and does a lot of damage to the Bozone slayer.

I'd think some CLR or dilute muriatic acid sprayed into the system, to dissolve the calcium scale. But, I'm probably out inspace.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"Retired" <Ret...@home.com> wrote in message news:ydadnY5QYpGtJDHM...@giganews.com...

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 3, 2013, 5:28:12 PM6/3/13
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Can you run one of these from below?
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-spring-steel-drain-trap-cleaner-96043.html
Clear out the calcium buildup?
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"KenK" <inv...@invalid.com> wrote in message news:XnsA1D464FF17...@130.133.4.11...

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 3, 2013, 5:33:45 PM6/3/13
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Hmm. Might be worth the smell of ninegar for a few hours (can always open the windows and Bill Airs it out). I'm guessing that some distilled white bin-nigger will help get the white calcium scale out of the system. Nice if this is one of those cases where you can get a distilled white bin-nigger to do useful work. Might need some hose to honky out the smell. Know I'm sayin? Home repair.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"KenK" <inv...@invalid.com> wrote in message news:XnsA1D469D7DF...@130.133.4.11...

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 3, 2013, 5:35:03 PM6/3/13
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Whittle stick in shape of tapered cork plug.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"KenK" <inv...@invalid.com> wrote in message news:XnsA1D46F63BF...@130.133.4.11...

hrho...@sbcglobal.net

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Jun 3, 2013, 9:25:08 PM6/3/13
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On Jun 3, 4:33 pm, "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**NOJUN...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Hmm. Might be worth the smell of ninegar for a few hours (can always open the windows and Bill Airs it out). I'm guessing that some distilled white bin-nigger will help get the white calcium scale out of the system. Nice if this is one of those cases where you can get a distilled white bin-nigger to do useful work. Might need some hose to honky out the smell. Know I'm sayin? Home repair.
> .
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
>    www.lds.org
> .
You are a sick racist nutcase!

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 4, 2013, 7:52:28 AM6/4/13
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Please, sir, may I have another?
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
<hrho...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:5cb41df1-f37e-4e28...@k4g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...

KenK

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Jun 4, 2013, 1:03:40 PM6/4/13
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**NOJUNK**@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:u18rt.149763$nv4....@fed13.iad:

> Whittle stick in shape of tapered cork plug.
> .
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> www.lds.org
>

Discovered this morning a sharpened pencil plugs a line nicely. That and a
little duct or even Scotch tape should do it.

KenK

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Jun 4, 2013, 1:06:20 PM6/4/13
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Retired <Ret...@home.com> wrote in
news:WpOdnZcpH9HqfTHM...@giganews.com:
That's an interesting idea. Could well work. But have to figure out how
to channel the hose outlet into that little plastic line. Duct tape
again? It'd probably come loose.

KenK

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Jun 4, 2013, 1:12:25 PM6/4/13
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"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**NOJUNK**@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:2U7rt.229735$3F4.2...@fed04.iad:

> Can you run one of these from below?
> http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-spring-steel-drain-trap-cleaner-
> 96043.html
> Clear out the calcium buildup?
> .
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> www.lds.org
> .
>

ID of tubing is 3/15. I doubt that a 3/16 snake would fit and follow bends.
Besides, Dial Cooler Parts makes a cooler snake which I already tried
several times.

Retired

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Jun 4, 2013, 4:54:58 PM6/4/13
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The Daring Dufas

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Jun 4, 2013, 11:36:18 PM6/4/13
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What's a racist? Is that someone who likes NASCAR or NHRA drag racing? o_O

TDD

Stormin Mormon

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Jun 5, 2013, 1:48:14 AM6/5/13
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And I had a tooth ache yesterday, so I was sick.

If the foo....
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/humor/foo_bird.html
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"The Daring Dufas" <the-dari...@stinky-finger.net> wrote in message news:kombf0$bn$2...@dont-email.me...
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