It is the same principle by which an air fan cools you as it evaporates perspiration from your skin.

Knowing about the various parts of the appliance can make it easier tomaintain and repair your swamp cooler.

Here is a rundown of the anatomy of an evaporative cooler.

Illustration showing the parts of an evaporative cooler

The Spruce / Mira Norian

Some parts may need to be replaced often, while others may last the full life of the appliance.

Motor

Evaporative cooler motors are relatively small in size, usually ranging from 1/3 to 1 horsepower.

The motors on evaporative coolers usually work fine until they don’tthey don’t gradually decline.

Swamp cooler motor

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

Don’t try this unless you are confident in those skills.

Sometimes this sound can be remedied by lubricating the bearings.

If that doesnt work, the bearings will need to be replaced.

Swamp cooler motor pulley

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

To reach the bearings for lubrication or replacement, you will need to disassemble the drive shaft.

The replacement pulleys should match the size and key in indicated by the manufacturer of your cooler.

Using a different-sized pulley could put unnecessary stress on the motor and affect how the cooler runs.

Swamp cooler blower pulley

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

It is a good idea to check the motor pulley periodically for dents and alignment.

It sits on the motor shaft and is fastened in place with an Allen screw.

Motor pulleys come in different sizes for different-sized motors.

Swamp cooler v-belt

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

V-Belt

The V-belt is a long-lasting throw in of drive belt.

The V-belt can stretch and become loose in the pulleys, however, and it eventually wears out.

And the V-belt must be aligned straight to work effectively.

Swamp cooler float valve

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

Also check the V-belt tension, making sure it matches the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Float Valve

The float valve sits in the cooler pan and regulates the height of the water.

It works in much the same way as the float ball or float cup in a toilet tank.

Swamp cooler pads

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

you might replace a float valve in a few minutes with parts that cost just a few dollars.

The most common and cheapest cooler pads are the ones made from wood strips.

Cooler pads should be changed each year, either when you winterize or de-winterize the cooler.

Swamp cooler distribution tubing

Aaron Stickley / The Spruce

Wire Connection Box

The wire connection box is where the main power supply comes into the cooler.