Swamp cooler lid

Holmz

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In the 70's and 80's the evaporative "Swamp Coolers" were used a lot. Basically a mesh with water running down it and a bog fan sucking air through the mesh, which cooled the air via evaporation.

They do not work when it is humid.

Anyhow the boss wanted a cover it with some limestone mosaic sheets of tiles...
And hence I put a frame of 2x4s and a 12 RV fan inside to create a gentle breeze out.
The lid is 18-mm (3/4") concrete cement board with 2x4 stiffeners inside, and around the edge are 2x4s with biscuits every 4". Hitachi blades are nice for this.

So step #1 was the frame
Step #2 the fan
Step #3 with concrete board sides.
Step #4 the stiffeners for the top.
Step #5 was 2x4 stiffening edging around the top with biscuit holes
Step #6 was bonding on the mosaics
- step 6.5 was sealing
Step #7 was cutting the mosaic post facto, and then a grinder to bevel the edge
Step #8 was routing the jarrah, sanding, varnishing and biscuits.
Step #9 was glueing on the edging
Step #10 was grouting the mosaics
- step #11 will be more sealing.

Still sitting 1/2 from the wall for the sealing to take place.
(And then some render/stucco work on the base)

37422287435_954566500c_c.jpg


About 4' high I think(??). A bar stool works to belly up to it..

There is a 1-cm slope away from the house.
 
Put a little nook with a door into that to hide and cool some cans of brew and you are all set!
 
Interesting project.  I admit ignorance about swamp coolers because as was said, they don't work in humid climates and I live in one.  But as a kid growing up in hot, arid Arizona in the late 60's we had a swamp cooler on the roof.  I remember ventilation slots all over it.  So, I have to ask if the one in your image is still operation with the cover on?  Is the vent an intake?

Peter
 
Peter Halle said:
Interesting project.  I admit ignorance about swamp coolers because as was said, they don't work in humid climates and I live in one.  But as a kid growing up in hot, arid Arizona in the late 60's we had a swamp cooler on the roof.  I remember ventilation slots all over it.  So, I have to ask if the one in your image is still operation with the cover on?  Is the vent an intake?

Peter

No Peter the thing was needing repairs many years and back and we turfed it (trashed it). But the plinth remained as did the underfloor/in-slab vent running down the house.

Like being on a truffle hunt, every time there is rain the boss claimes to smell mould... hence I put the 12V RV fan in the inside (on 10%) to slowly draw air out the underfloor slot.
The vent allows the air to come out, and there is a Neutrik is on the far side with a 230v to 12V transformer inside...
And a small hole for the IR remote.

So The problem was the multi faceted, and driven by the tiles to look nice.
 
It all went pear shaped with the rain.
It looks like the 2x4s underneath swelled and the concrete board did not expand with water, nor did the Jarrah.

So the 2x4s are now proud of the edge.

I am thinking of slicing them to be separate pieces 1 foot long to allow them to swell??

I need some help...

37542532961_a51fdf66f2_b.jpg
 
Holmz said:
It all went pear shaped with the rain.
It looks like the 2x4s underneath swelled and the concrete board did not expand with water, nor did the Jarrah.

So the 2x4s are now proud of the edge.

I am thinking of slicing them to be separate pieces 1 foot long to allow them to swell??

I need some help...

37542532961_a51fdf66f2_b.jpg
I would guess that, unless you fully, permanently and perfectly seal any wooden parts against moisture, this problem is unavoidable in your setup.
Wood changes dimension when moisture changes, concrete and stone dosn't (ignoring damages by freezing water).
 
It rained in Feb, and again last week.
The Jarrah is varnished pretty good.

I think I try the cuts and then maybe bolt the Jarrah on from the rear side so that it can wander-lengthwise relative to the softwood on the underside of the lid.
 
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