An industrial cooler needs little maintenance, but it needs it regularly: clean water, clean and evenly wet pads, a working pump and a protected motor. Use this checklist before the season, weekly, monthly and at the end of the season.
Before the season
- ☐ Clean the tank and remove sludge; check the drain valve
- ☐ Inspect cooling pads for scale, sagging or damage; replace if needed
- ☐ Clean the water pump inlet and check flow to the distribution pipe
- ☐ Check the float valve fills and stops correctly
- ☐ Check the fan blade for cracks or imbalance
- ☐ Check wiring, the controller and the phase preventer
- ☐ Wash the filter net
- ☐ Run the cooler and check for vibration, noise and leaks
Weekly in season
- ☐ Look at the pads while running: they should be evenly wet with no dry patches
- ☐ Check the water level and float valve
- ☐ Wash the filter net if dusty
- ☐ Listen for new noise or vibration
Monthly in season
- ☐ Drain and refill the tank to remove minerals and algae
- ☐ Clean the distribution pipe holes
- ☐ Check duct joints and grills for leaks and dirt
- ☐ Check motor current if you have a meter
End of season
- ☐ Drain the tank fully and dry it
- ☐ Run the fan with the pump off for a while to dry the pads
- ☐ Clean and cover the unit if it will stand idle
- ☐ Note parts to replace before next season
Common faults and fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Warm air | Dry pads, weak pump, blocked pipe | Clean pipe, check or replace pump |
| Dry patches on pads | Blocked holes or scale | Clean pipe, flush or replace pads |
| Bad smell | Stale water, algae | Drain, clean tank, refill |
| Water leaks | Float valve or drain valve | Adjust float, replace valve |
| Noise or vibration | Damaged or unbalanced blade | Replace with matched blade |
| Motor trips or burns out | Phase failure or imbalance | Fit a phase preventer |
| Low airflow | Clogged pads or filter | Clean or replace |
Protect the motor
Phase failure is a common cause of burnt cooler motors. Fit a controller with a phase preventer on every three-phase cooler; our motor warranty applies only when one is fitted.
Spare parts
We supply motors, pumps, pads, blades, controllers, VFDs and filter nets for E-cool duct coolers, and can match many other brands. See spare parts.
Frequently asked questions
How often should an industrial cooler be cleaned?
Check pads and water weekly in season, drain and refill the tank monthly, and do a full clean before and after the season.
Why is my cooler blowing warm air?
Usually the pads are not evenly wet because of a weak pump or blocked distribution pipe, or the pads are clogged with scale.
How do I protect the cooler motor?
Fit a controller with a phase preventer on three-phase coolers to cut power if a phase fails.