SWAMP COOLER

[Terry T]

I just got a Thermador Swamp Cooler for my '51 HJ that I plan to use on my trip across Rte. 66 on my way to San Diego.
Anyone with expierence and/or suggestions??

[Kenn Evans II]

Use good water    keep it clean and make sure to keep it snug.  when you stop in winslow az call me and I'll buy you a soda.

[Jim B PEI]

With an interior 'swamp cooler' running on ice and 6volt fan, and the window mount, you can keep that car cool! (really cool!) If you every get an interior swamp cooler thingie, you can use the melt water in the exterior. Run any water through a cone coffee filtre before you put it the exterior one. Avoid hard water if possible.

[joefrazer]

I have a 6V floor mounted swamp cooler in my 50K and while it cools the car, a by product is humid air because, after all, it is using water as the coolant. On a hot day that means everything in the car sweats so beware!

[Jim B PEI]

I agree whole heartedly. Whether you use the powered floor-with-ice-and-fan swamp cooler, or the window mounted swamp cooler powered by the air rushing past--with or without the additional fan--the net result is going to be damp air for sure.  These things are not intended for the lowland South style humidity of the Carolinas, Florida Everglades, Louisiana, Mississippi or Georgia type--or even the Northeast, but they do work very well in hot and dry climates, from summertime Canadian Prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the inland deserts of British Columbia, down through California Arizona to the drylands of Texas.

The name gives it away!

[Barnum]

there was one of these in the trunk of my car when I got it....wasn't sure how to use it. It is the floor model. Thanks

[Jim B PEI]

The old floor or trans hump models were better than nothing. They are dependent on you finding cheap or free ice on your trip. My suggestion, if you are going to be using one, is to freeze custom sized blocks larger than icecubes at home. Less surface area, so they last longer. Measure the sort of area you have to fill, and then get various sized squarish plastic containers from a dollar store. Save the melt water for your external swamp cooler. but put it through a cone coffee filtre first. Rain water is likely better than well or tap water, especially if you have hard water.

I also freeze well water to take on trips (for me, and my dogs--to avoid city water) in 2 litre plastic pop bottles for ice chests and to help kickstart the 12V Koolatron chests along.