Anyone try a Swamp Cooler?

[Lumatic]

I may need to replace my original AC. I have seen evaporative coolers in the catalogs for about the same price as an AC. They are simpler and should cost less but it seems don't, oh well. Theoretically they should work good for me here in the Southwest. Anybody have any experience with any of the RV models?

[robandzoe]

All the trailers for rent at Welcome to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona have swamp coolers on them, there in Bisbee, AZ. Give Wes at the Dell a call.

Rob

[FreshAir]

There is a swamp cooler on our TW. I have only tried it out at home. It helps if the outside humidity is low. It was about 100 when I turned on at the house but it was too hot to wait to see how well it cooled. The PO says he used it often in Oregon. I would think the Southwest would be the best area for a swamp cooler.
Neil.

[azflycaster]

I have a swamp cooler on the roof of my house. With that in mind, I would never think about putting one on my trailer. Swamps are high maintence items. Water leaks, calcium buildups and general corrosion are the norm for these units. An airconditioner can be used in any climate as long as you have power. I live in Phoenix and can not use my swamp cooler in July and August because the humity is too high.

[Lumatic]

Yeah my home swamp needs more maintainance, but it's simple and cheap that anyone can do.

I've heard for being smack dab in the middle of the southwest Phoenix can get humid. Is it all the green and lawn watering in what should be desert? I'm a little surprised that it's so bad you can't use the swamp. I've been in Tuxson when pretty sticky too.

[azflycaster]

Much of the problem comes from the growth of the cities. My wife grew up in Phoenix and her folks house only had a swamp cooler, no AC. The "monsoon season" would last a few weeks as the moisture was pushed up from the sea of cortez and Phoenix would have a series of thunderstorms and it was over. The cities with all the concrete and blacktop hold so much heat that the thunderstorms can not get into the valley and release this moisture. They now linger for months. A basic rule for swap coolers is based on the dew point. When it gets to 45 degrees it is getting stickey and when it hits 50 degrees, forget it. In May and June when the dew point is in the teens, they work great.

[flyfshr]

To add to Richard comments, its also because of all of the golf courses, green lawns and every other home having a pool, us included. All of this adds to the overall humidity.

Brad
FF

[robandzoe]

It's a dry heat out there boys! Try Virginia in July/Aug.. now that's humidity Brad.

[Lumatic]

Phoenix is bad, but only mad dogs and those with no other choice venture out into the great outdoors during July and August. My vote goes to Houston to me Houston air is so thick you can almost swim in it.

[bryanl]

The RV swamp cooler costs close to the same as an Air Conditioner, it pulls about the same current as a furnace (~5 amps) and uses a gallon or so of water per hour.

With a good solar panel and water supply, it is a good way to keep cool in the drier climes.

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Phoenix is bad, but only mad dogs and those with no other choice venture out into the great outdoors during July and August. My vote goes to Houston to me Houston air is so thick you can almost swim in it.

This is what mad dogs in Phoenix do in July and August!

[Thealt]

All I remember about growing up with a Swamp cooler was how wet you felt all day long. Granted that was in Oklahoma and it's better in a drier client, but are you always going to camp in the desert? As soon as you head up in the mountains, into the central plans, any place other than where you are.. your humidity level will start to increase. Also, some humidity might not be a bad thing in the trailer, but I would invest in a humidistat. There's a lot of wood in an Airstream. And some particle board and laminates. Could cause havoc if the moisture gets to high.
Alt

[safari57]

Has anyone heard of a TravelAire 12v cooler built in the mid fifties? I recently acquired one and although we are right on the west coast, on really hot days (it's all relative) it seems to work extremely well.

Barry

[rseagle]

Originally Posted by robandzoe

It's a dry heat out there boys! Try Virginia in July/Aug.. now that's humidity Brad.

I sure know about those hot humid Virginia summers, Rob. But I've had some of the most delightful Boondocking trips during that time. It's all in where you go. We go high up in the Alleghenny Mountains near the WVA border in the GW National Forest. The altitude, the trees, shade, a nearby cold mountain stream and late afternoon T-storms all seem to make area a few degrees cooler. The humidity is always high. We run the fantastic fan, but never have needed to use the air. I sometimes wonder why I bought my Honda EU-3000. Just in case?