Classic Aire Swamp Cooler Question

Nevada Notch

Anyone familiar with this model swamp cooler?

The pictures I have looked at do not have the draw string to rotate the drum and I was wondering if both I have looked at were missing the string or if the drum rotates in a different fashion.

Can they be disassembled to be serviced?
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

bgs · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:05 pm Post subject:

If it looks like this one, yea you can go into it and
change out the string, the cooling "pad", check out
the "squirrel cage" for rust, etc. You have to be
careful taking the back cover off so the screws
will tighten back so it doesn't leak. I used to fill
this one up about 1/2 way with crushed ice and
a lil water, and it would be COLD inside when
going down the road. Had to be careful turning
right because water if not drained down enough
would come out the vent into the cab.. Laughing

I used a strip of Dura Cool blue fibrous padding
for the cooling padding. Almost froze me out.

The bad thing about these coolers is seems everyone
wants it, and you have to drive in the right lane of
the freeway because if you don't accidents happen
when people are driving by trying to figure out what
the heck that thing is hanging off the side of that old
VW ??? Happened twice on the Riverside 91..

I sure miss that old 63 and wish I had never sold it !

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Hmm, ruff.

Nevada Notch · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:49 pm Post subject:

The one in the picture you posted looks to be a Firestone unit.
The Classic Aire looks like the old Thermador units as seen below.

_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

60ragtop · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:13 pm Post subject:

IIRC that is a plastic reproduction model?
some were 12 volt fan operated if not all?
just remember seeing them advertised in catalogs.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

Nevada Notch · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:36 pm Post subject:

Yes they were plastic reproduction models.

Some of them were not fan assisted.

What I really want to know is how the drum rotated or does it actually have a drum at all. Several of the pictures I've seen show no strings or an obvious way to rotate the drum inside, like I said.....if they even have one.
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

hitest · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject:

I'd try calling Mid America Motorworks- they carried them not too many years ago- maybe someone in customer service had to help folks with them.
_________________

Nevada Notch · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:32 pm Post subject:

Well finding out is now pointless.....

I just pulled the trigger and purchased a Kool Air cooler by Thermador. Now a restoration will be in order. Should work nicely driving home from work in the summer when its 95 degrees at around 15 percent humidity!
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

johnnypan · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:22 am Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588758

just disassembled a Coronado Sea Aire cooler..a mouse had made it home for awhile,I have to change the media.

Nevada Notch · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:24 am Post subject:

After doing a lot of research, looks like Thermador was the main manufacturer of most of the units and then sold them to other companies that put their name on them.

The Koolair I just bought is one of the boxier (Firestone type) looking units with the big access plate on the backside. Should be easy enough to remove the backing after I cut through all of the tar.
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

johnnypan · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:36 am Post subject:

Nevada Notch · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:04 pm Post subject:

I'll take you tip and try to heat up the back plate with a light torch for removal.
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

60ragtop · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject:

I just used a putty knife when I took apart my Firestone to learn more than I wanted about swamp coolers Laughing

_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

johnnypan · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:55 pm Post subject:

Nevada Notch · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:50 pm Post subject:

Regarding the smell, I was reading about how to get rid of the smell in a home swamp cooler. There are people who swear by putting unsweetened Cool Aid in the water. Depending on the flavor as to what smell you can have. The most popular is cherry!
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

Nevada Notch · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject:

60ragtop · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject:

No

just of the finished unit
it was just supposed to be a quick clean up not a full rebuild Laughing

_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

johnnypan · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:44 pm Post subject:

no more jute media..decided to use tie wraps instead of the galvanized staples used during manufacture..going to use silicone instead of tar for sealing as well..both make the work way easier and cant be seen..

bgs · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:33 am Post subject:

I thought at first that mine was like the "square boxed"
style like a Firestone, but it isn't. It doesn't have the
beaded "lip" at the front of it. It has a large opening
in front with a screen and a lid that allows one to close
it via a small rod from inside the cab so one can adjust
the incoming air. The drum is spring loaded like the
others so one can draw the string to soak the padding
360 degrees. I too used the same blue fibrous padding.

Here's a little different pic of it. Not very good one
though.

_________________
Hmm, ruff.

Nevada Notch · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject:

By the way it hangs low like it does it might be an original KoolAir unit made by Thermador. These first version units hung low and blocked vision out of the passenger window.
_________________
1966 Euro
1600DP
Dual 34mm ICT's
99% Resto-Custom Daily Driver

bgs · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject:

You're probably right. It does sit low with the
vent/window ledge-mount siiting at the top.
It most closely resembles the Firestone cooler
of the early 50's made by Thermador as you
have pointed out. It' not exactly the same, but
pretty close.

They work pretty good in the summertime, but I
kept getting a freezing right ear when I would
fill it with crush ice and water. That was the good
thing about having the vent close off rod inside
the cab. Got too cold, one can close from the
outside air. I haven't looked at it in at least 10
years. I should go out in the back shed and see
what shape it's in..LOL
_________________
Hmm, ruff.


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