Monthly S&B Evaps Maintenance
S&B Evaps evaporative coolers handle large spaces like warehouses, factories, and workshops. These units move thousands of cubic feet of air per minute. Without regular care, they could lose maximum cooling power and break down. By following this monthly maintenance routine, you'll keep your unit always running at full capacity.
Clean the Water Distribution System
The distribution system spreads water across the top of your cooling pads. Most industrial units use a perforated pipe or trough system. Hard water clogs these openings quickly. Uneven water flow creates dry patches on the pads.
Check the distribution hoses monthly. Remove the evaporative media and set aside. Mix a cleaning solution using one part household white vinegar and two parts water. Fill the reservoir with enough water for the pump to run for about five minutes. As a guide, this means filling the water to about 4.5 inches deep in medium and large units, or about 3.5 inches deep in small units.
Flush thoroughly with clean water before reinstalling the evaporative media.
Regular cleaning of the distribution system maintains even water coverage. This 45-minute task prevents hot spots in your workspace and maximizes your investment in cooling pads.
Inspect and Clean the Water Reservoir
S&B Evaps reservoirs hold 50, 65, and 85 gallons of water. These tanks can collect significant amounts of sediment, and mineral deposits and eventually, the buildup will clog your pump inlet and distribution system.
To inspect and clean the water reservoir, turn off the unit and drain the reservoir completely. This takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on the tank. If you have a stiff brush, scrub all interior surfaces. Pay attention to corners and the area around the pump inlet. Remove all sediment.
Fill the tank with your vinegar cleaning solution. Let it sit for one hour to dissolve mineral deposits. Drain the solution and rinse the tank with fresh water. Make sure no vinegar smell remains before refilling for operation.
A clean reservoir prevents pump cavitation and extends pump life. Sediment-free water flows better through your distribution system. Clean water also reduces the rate of new mineral buildup on your pads. The hour spent on reservoir cleaning can add years to your equipment's service life.
Examine the Water Pump
S&B Evaps use robust pumps that move 10 to 20 gallons per minute through their evaporative cooling units. These pumps run continuously when the cooling system operates so it's important to ensure the pump is always in good working condition. Begin by turning the pump switch to the “On” position and listening carefully. Grinding, squealing, or rattling sounds indicate bearing wear or debris in the impeller.
Check for leaks around the pump's hose connection. Feel the pump body after 10 minutes of operation. Mild warmth is normal. Excessive heat means the pump struggles against a restriction or worn bearings.
Test water flow at the distribution points with the pump running. Strong, steady flow indicates proper operation. Weak or intermittent flow points to pump problems or clogged intake screens. Clear any screens or filters on the pump inlet.
Pump failure stops your cooling system. A 90 degree warehouse becomes dangerous for workers within hours. Catching pump problems during monthly checks prevents emergency breakdowns and downtime during heat waves.
Check the Belt and Motor
The S&B Evaps Large evaporative cooler uses heavy-duty belts to turn large fan blades. Inspect the belt monthly for cracks, fraying, or shiny glazed surfaces. Press the belt between pulleys with firm pressure. Proper tension allows about half an inch of deflection. Loose belts slip and squeal. Tight belts can wear out bearings in the motor and fan shaft.
Set the fan speed switch to low and listen to the motor. The sound should be smooth and steady. With the unit powered off, spin the fan blade by hand. It should rotate freely with slight resistance from the belt.
Check belt alignment by looking straight down the pulleys. Misaligned belts wear quickly and create vibration. Small adjustments to motor mounts correct alignment issues.
Belt checks take five minutes and catch problems before they become emergencies.
Inspect the Float Valve
The float valve maintains proper water level in your evaporative cooler's reservoir. S&B Evaps units use heavy-duty float valves rated for commercial service. These valves handle the frequent cycling needed to maintain 50 to 85 gallons of water during continuous operation.
Lift and lower the float arm by hand. It should move smoothly without binding. Push the float down and listen for water flow. Release it and verify the water stops when the float rises. Mineral deposits cause float valves toso it's important to make sure that the float arm is moving freely and that the valve opens and closes according to the position of the float.
Check the water level marking inside the reservoir. The level should match the specification for your unit size. Low water levels can damage the pump through cavitation. High levels waste water and may overflow during operation.
A stuck-open float valve can cause your evaporative cooler to overflow wasting water as well as creating a mess and potentially damaging things nearby. A stuck-closed valve runs your pump dry and destroys it within hours. Testing the float valve takes three minutes and prevents both problems.
Examine the Exterior
S&B Evaps industrial evaporative coolers face harsh conditions from weather, dust, and facility operations. Inspect the cabinet for rust, especially around seams and fasteners. Treat small rust spots immediately with rust converter and touch-up paint.
Clear debris from around the unit and air intake areas. Industrial environments accumulate cardboard, plastic wrap, and other materials that could block airflow. Verify the evaporativce cooler sits level. An uneven unit drains poorly.
Control System Check
S&B Evaps commercial-grade evaporative coolers use simple, reliable controls. S&B Evaps' Small and Medium evaporative cooling units have a pump on/off switch and a fan speed knob with variable speed settings. S&B Evaps' Large evaporative coolers have a pump on/off switch and a fan speed switch with high and low positions.
Test each control monthly. Turn the pump switch off and on. Listen for the pump to stop and start. Rotate the fan speed knob through all positions on Small and Medium units. The fan should respond with noticeable speed changes. Flip the fan speed switch on Large units between high and low. The difference should be obvious.
Look for loose knobs or switches. Check that all control labels remain readable. Industrial environments can obscure markings with dust and grime.
Simple controls rarely fail, but testing them monthly verifies proper operation. Finding a bad switch during maintenance is better than discovering it failed during a 100-degree day.
Check Cooling Pads
Cellulose evaporative media cooling pads are the primary cooling mechanism in your S&B Evaps evaporative cooler. Water saturates these pads while powerful fans pull air through them. The evaporation process cools the air by 15 to 30 degrees. S&B Evaps cellulose evaporative media cooling pads last approximately two to three years with proper maintenance.
Inspect your pads during monthly maintenance. Look for compressed sections, or areas where the cooling pad material has deteriorated and replace if necessary.. Check for excessive mineral buildup that appears as thick white or brown crusty deposits. Minor mineral accumulation is normal, but if there are large, thick deposits, then it's time to replace your cooling pads.
Pull on the pad edges gently to test structural integrity. Pads that crumble or tear easily need replacement. Check that pads fit snugly in their frames. Gaps around pad edges let uncooled air bypass the evaporation process.
Damaged pads reduce cooling capacity and force the fan motor to work harder. Your cooling efficiency drops when air finds paths of least resistance around torn or compressed areas. Plan to replace your cooling pads every two years as part of your maintenance budget. A complete S&B Evaps Cellulose Evaporative Media Cooling Pad Set costs $140 to $499 depending on unit size. This investment maintains cooling performance and protects your motor from overwork.
Keep Your Cooler Running Strong
Monthly maintenance for your evaporative cooler takes about 90 minutes but saves you the cost in repairs, replacements and production downtime.. Mark your calendar for the same day each month during the cooling season. Keep basic solutions like vinegar and tools like brushes near the unit for quick access.
A well-maintained S&B Evap evaporative cooler provides many years of reliable service. Spend a few minutes each month to protect your equipment investment and maintain a cool workspace all season long. Your workers depend on a comfortable environment to stay productive and safe.