I love your commentary! 🤣 Thanks for the amazing info! I hate those honeycomb pads! We pay $150 for them here in Nevada! I consider it extortion, because we don't feel there's any other options! You ma'am are amazing, thank you!!!
I was in the same situation as you with the honeycomb pads and mineral buildup.. switched to aspen pads and just ziptied them on the cage and it's so much better.. and cheaper! Thank you for the idea!!
Oh my goodness I have had this swamp cooler for silver years now and I have not been able to figure out how to change this stinking cooler pad you have saved my life I was almost to the point of buying a to another one just to get this changed out you are absolutely amazing and you are definitely my kind of person I love your humor
I just acquired a free mastercool from my neighbor up the street. I watched your video, and followed your great advice including the barbed fitting for the tubing connector. Like you said the plastic nipple broke, so was able to replace it with the barbed fitting. Thanks
Great idea! I couldn't believe it when I checked the price on replacement pads and they were $100.00! I installed this MasterCool window mount cooler because my wife wanted to get the downdraft swamp cooler off of our roof. What a mistake that was. I have had nothing but problems with it. MasterCool has replaced the motor once and the pump twice. It leaks onto our patio so I have to keep a bucket under it and it's a real pain in the butt when I have to take it down for winter. We live in northern Nevada and it gets cold here, soI can't leave it in the window through the winter. I take it down and put it into storage in the Fall and rehang it in the Spring. Glad I found your video, this is going to save me about $90.00!
Awesome! I’ve also had the problem with putting it up and taking it down. Finally, I just left it up. I stuff the cavity full of bubble wrap from the inside, and I tarp the outside with a bungee to hold everything around it. As a follow up, I take a piece of rigid, insulating foam, cut to the size of the window opening and shove it in from the inside. I finish it off with painters tape to seal the edges. Totally unattractive, but better than constantly fighting with that thing every spring. After I get done with everything, I just drop the blinds over the mess and leave it that way all winter. I live in northern Utah, so I sympathize with your weather.
Impressive, with all the things I have learned the one thing that stood out is you don't mess with this freedom forger there is follow through on threats. 😄👍🔥
I wish I had come across your video last week. I just got a mastercool second hand from a friend and had to spend over $100 bucks for the thick pads and, although they do cool off my house quite well, they also blow in a lot of dust that triggers my allergies. Also, I have hard water so I dont expect that they will last as long as they are supposed to last.
@@ForgingFreedomTV Looks like I will be going this route after all, as my rigid media has grown black colored mold all over it and Im allergic to mold.
I’m glad I came across this video, I knew there had to be another solution. I was thinking about trying the blue fiber type pads, however, people seem to be leaning towards the style you have there. I installed an in-line filter that I got down at Ace Hardware, 05 microns. That has helped a lot, we have hard water at my place also. And I occasionally have been bleeding off the tank. I’ve been using these pads for three years, and I’ve got some cleaner from the hardware store which foams up a lot. The cheapest original cardboard pads I could find were $107.I’m probably gonna give this a whirl, what’s the worst it could do? Cost me a few dollars for those straw pads and if they don’t work go to the originals. It looks like I will stay with your technique. The reviews seem pretty good.
@@surrelljr good for you! That’s exactly what I thought when I tore them out of there. I figure I can always go back to the expensive pads if it didn’t work out. Bring back the spirit of experimentation and creation to the human mind!
I live down the road from a cement plant and have very hard water. I. Could build a block wall with the cast offs! Now the issue I have is my dripper tube lays across the 8in deep mastercool pads. Mine was installed on top of my roof and Albuquerque has seen over 100 degrees daily and I have a metal roof. I have spent all summer trying to get comfortable. I too am on my own, 64 and barely surviving on $1000 per mo. Last thing I am going to pay for is a bunch of cardboard soaked in formaldehyde. I have an idea that may work, I'll keep you posted. Is it any wonder why we share the same no bullshit attitude? Wake up people! ❤
Thank you. I did think about that, but two things. Number one, it’s too late now because I did light it on fire if you watched to the end of the video. Number two, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get all of the chemical out and the caustic vapors would blow into the house
First time viewer and immediately I subscribed for “all” THANK YOU! I was gifted a Bonair slimline cooler similar to yours, had to buy the filter/“pads” a few weeks ago at $125.00 for the set at Home Depot! Wow! I was looking for how-to’s on changing them out and luckily came across your channel, are you still pleased with the good-ol GREAT SMELLING type cooler pads you put on? I think I seriously need to find that receipt and make an exchange!!! This is my first time cleaning up one of these slimline coolers (any cooler actually) so I’m nervous and excited, you made the job look so do-able and I thank you so very much!!!
My 5 yr warranty for rigid media wasn't honored after pads fell apart in 2 yrs! I followed your video and used zip ties. Mastercool sucks!! Thank you for the info!
I love it! A good honest opinion. I have the same type of cooler with the same honeycomb media. Yup the replacement cost is at $100.00. Your solution using the old style media the ticket. Thanks
6:54 lmao 🤣 . Also, just a thought, perhaps the bottom pads should have gone on top of the top ones so it doesn't just off. Perhaps check to see if the bottom is drier than the top
Love your creativity! I'm gonna do the same! My pump is slow dragging due to hard water. I can't see where the pump wire goes to inside the cooler. Nothing on RUclips! I heard MasterCool went Bankrupt!! Thank you!
The hose from the pump, when it comes to the top of the back, instead of connecting it to hose barb, ad a loop about 12 inch Dia then connect it to hose barb. I'm going to try this pad. Just a note you can get a pad out of Florida made in China cist about 65.00. Should show up on a web search. The big pad comes in 2 pieces.
Ok, it's a year later, Summer is just around the corner here in SoCal, did you do any more mods, like perhaps add another layer of Aspen pads to the backside to stop the misting in the house? Thanks for the video!
That’s a very good question! It’s been doing great. I do think I will add the second layer next season because even though it is performing better than the original, I think it needs more saturation between the exterior air and the interior air. That being said, even in hundred degree days, the interior temperature has remained around 72 degrees. Not bad!
It's April 10 here in So Cal and starting to get warm! Did mine today but next year I'm gonna do it your way! One SMART Lady! Now, mine is in my bedroom and even on 'LOW' its still to powerful! Is it possible to use a 'rheostat' of some kind to slow it down a night?
I would say my house is cooler than the expensive pads at least the ones that were full of hard water. I never did double the pads the misting seemed to stop all on its own. to be fair though I only run it on low speed, which is sufficient for my needs
@@ForgingFreedomTV We got the aspen pads and have been running them for about 1 1/2 months. As we are breaking record temps the last few days I have to say how thankful we are for your information. We saved money , it is actually cooler AND cleaner ( dust and little nats used to blow in ) than the original filters !! Thanks again !
@@ericcastaneda58 I never did get around to putting the second one on and it’s been working great. Next summer I’ll probably need to replace it due to the hard water scale, but they’re so dang cheap it won’t be a problem. The wires that I used to retain the pad have gotten rusty and will need to be replaced, but that’s no big deal. I’ll probably use some galvanized wire this time. Thanks for taking the time to stop by
Does it work at highest speed? Sometimes they suck air so hard the water is pulled off the pad and comes inside? Only problem I have with box style cooler is in hard water areas they rust out in no time, plus they are very big.
That’s a good question. I always run mine on low speed. Right now the water is not getting inside, but, next summer I am going to add that second layer and I think if I do this that possibility will be eliminated
@@veragarcia7817 I'm super sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean. If the leak will just drop into the tank, don't worry about it. If it's leaking on the ground, you might want to fix that so you don't use so much water. Hope that helps
It’s hard to say. All I know is it keeps my house plenty cool and I really appreciate how much lighter the filter unit is when I have to service the inside of the chamber
Solve the problem you had here requires two things. Bleed off line from the water pump an/or purge pump. Second, Decalcifier membrane before the pump. Without it, you have the issues you experienced.
A hack for hard water. I have a Hessair and a Artic tower. Both had calcium build up so I put a half a teaspoon of rock salt in the tank. I would onky do it went the build up gets bad. I wouldn't recommend using the old aspen in compost or garden with it having had salt water. PLASTIC tanks only because the salt water might eat away at the metal.I was raised on using the aspen in strawberry beds to detour snails.
bit of advice from old guy been working various evaporative coolers. first of all my observation on your pan and the old paper media, you got dust mixed in with calcium. that is not hard water, because even with soft water, calcium still is present in tap water. And your cooler pad and pan (where water is puddled up) there is a layer of white stuff, calcium with dirt. yes your thought about vinegar was right, but will not solve the dirt build up that your machine is exposed to. the edges you cut off the aspen pad let say not good idea. the reason aspen pad is manufactured with excess mesh because aspen pad will expand 2 to 3 times it's size. If the media is not "contained", will fall and interfere with machinery or tubing. I only have one answer to dilemma of over sized media; open the mesh, remove excess material then close the mesh fold mesh allowing 2 inch empty space for media to expand into. that is the reason why some evaporative cooler has excess non-grille area to allow for expansion. that is permament barb connection (fitting). not design as removeable. there is quick disconnect fitting sold at Lowes. You did not buy those. those are designed for connecting and disconnecting quickly, for servicing.
Oh, its beyond stupid. It's dangerous to health. Last year we bought these cardboard pads and after about a month of use realized that everything including a cooler, anything around it was covered in this strange crust. We had to chip it off the surface of the items.....until I realized that it's droplets of glue that were something making to the outside of the cooler and turning into this crust. And this is what the are breathing in 🤯 Thank you so much for making this video. I didn't know how to go about it and surely didn't have another $80 to spare living on my husband's SSDI (they are paying him as we are back in 1999 🤦♀️). Oh and the air quality you get with these cardboard boxes 👎👎👎
I love your commentary! 🤣 Thanks for the amazing info! I hate those honeycomb pads! We pay $150 for them here in Nevada! I consider it extortion, because we don't feel there's any other options! You ma'am are amazing, thank you!!!
@@karenwaggoner-nevarez8357 thank you! I’m just a redneck chicken farmer who is frugal and isn’t afraid to try things. I’m glad you found it useful
I was in the same situation as you with the honeycomb pads and mineral buildup.. switched to aspen pads and just ziptied them on the cage and it's so much better.. and cheaper! Thank you for the idea!!
Excellent 👍
You’re quite possibly one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met, and that’s saying something!
Wow! Considering the respect I have for you, I’m speechless. Thank you 🙏 😊
Oh my goodness I have had this swamp cooler for silver years now and I have not been able to figure out how to change this stinking cooler pad you have saved my life I was almost to the point of buying a to another one just to get this changed out you are absolutely amazing and you are definitely my kind of person I love your humor
@@mirandamiranda3821 super glad I could be of assistance. I’m all about independence, do it yourself and helping others to do the same
I just acquired a free mastercool from my neighbor up the street. I watched your video, and followed your great advice including the barbed fitting for the tubing connector. Like you said the plastic nipple broke, so was able to replace it with the barbed fitting.
Thanks
So happy it worked out for you. I guess we saved another one from the landfill.
Great idea! I couldn't believe it when I checked the price on replacement pads and they were $100.00! I installed this MasterCool window mount cooler because my wife wanted to get the downdraft swamp cooler off of our roof. What a mistake that was. I have had nothing but problems with it. MasterCool has replaced the motor once and the pump twice. It leaks onto our patio so I have to keep a bucket under it and it's a real pain in the butt when I have to take it down for winter. We live in northern Nevada and it gets cold here, soI can't leave it in the window through the winter. I take it down and put it into storage in the Fall and rehang it in the Spring. Glad I found your video, this is going to save me about $90.00!
Awesome! I’ve also had the problem with putting it up and taking it down. Finally, I just left it up. I stuff the cavity full of bubble wrap from the inside, and I tarp the outside with a bungee to hold everything around it. As a follow up, I take a piece of rigid, insulating foam, cut to the size of the window opening and shove it in from the inside. I finish it off with painters tape to seal the edges. Totally unattractive, but better than constantly fighting with that thing every spring. After I get done with everything, I just drop the blinds over the mess and leave it that way all winter. I live in northern Utah, so I sympathize with your weather.
Ty so much! Love the commentary and the great idea. I'm changing the pads this year and came across your video. You rock!
Glad it was helpful!
I use swimming pool Muriatic acid, to clean mine works very well.
Thank you very much, great idea. Also love your sense of humor.
Impressive, with all the things I have learned the one thing that stood out is you don't mess with this freedom forger there is follow through on threats. 😄👍🔥
I wish I had come across your video last week. I just got a mastercool second hand from a friend and had to spend over $100 bucks for the thick pads and, although they do cool off my house quite well, they also blow in a lot of dust that triggers my allergies. Also, I have hard water so I dont expect that they will last as long as they are supposed to last.
Well, I’m glad you found it helpful for the future. Just so you know, it’s still running like a champ
@@ForgingFreedomTV Good to hear. And thanks for the video!
@@ForgingFreedomTV Looks like I will be going this route after all, as my rigid media has grown black colored mold all over it and Im allergic to mold.
I’m glad I came across this video, I knew there had to be another solution. I was thinking about trying the blue fiber type pads, however, people seem to be leaning towards the style you have there. I installed an in-line filter that I got down at Ace Hardware, 05 microns. That has helped a lot, we have hard water at my place also. And I occasionally have been bleeding off the tank. I’ve been using these pads for three years, and I’ve got some cleaner from the hardware store which foams up a lot. The cheapest original cardboard pads I could find were $107.I’m probably gonna give this a whirl, what’s the worst it could do? Cost me a few dollars for those straw pads and if they don’t work go to the originals. It looks like I will stay with your technique. The reviews seem pretty good.
@@surrelljr good for you! That’s exactly what I thought when I tore them out of there. I figure I can always go back to the expensive pads if it didn’t work out. Bring back the spirit of experimentation and creation to the human mind!
I live down the road from a cement plant and have very hard water. I. Could build a block wall with the cast offs! Now the issue I have is my dripper tube lays across the 8in deep mastercool pads. Mine was installed on top of my roof and Albuquerque has seen over 100 degrees daily and I have a metal roof. I have spent all summer trying to get comfortable. I too am on my own, 64 and barely surviving on $1000 per mo. Last thing I am going to pay for is a bunch of cardboard soaked in formaldehyde. I have an idea that may work, I'll keep you posted. Is it any wonder why we share the same no bullshit attitude? Wake up people! ❤
Pretty ingenious with the MacGyvering! I wonder if soaking in CLR would do anything to get that hard water off all that stuff.
Thank you. I did think about that, but two things. Number one, it’s too late now because I did light it on fire if you watched to the end of the video. Number two, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get all of the chemical out and the caustic vapors would blow into the house
First time viewer and immediately I subscribed for “all” THANK YOU! I was gifted a Bonair slimline cooler similar to yours, had to buy the filter/“pads” a few weeks ago at $125.00 for the set at Home Depot! Wow!
I was looking for how-to’s on changing them out and luckily came across your channel, are you still pleased with the good-ol GREAT SMELLING type cooler pads you put on? I think I seriously need to find that receipt and make an exchange!!! This is my first time cleaning up one of these slimline coolers (any cooler actually) so I’m nervous and excited, you made the job look so do-able and I thank you so very much!!!
Happy you found this useful
My 5 yr warranty for rigid media wasn't honored after pads fell apart in 2 yrs! I followed your video and used zip ties. Mastercool sucks!! Thank you for the info!
I love it! A good honest opinion. I have the same type of cooler with the same honeycomb media. Yup the replacement cost is at $100.00. Your solution using the old style media the ticket. Thanks
Glad you liked it!
6:54 lmao 🤣 . Also, just a thought, perhaps the bottom pads should have gone on top of the top ones so it doesn't just off. Perhaps check to see if the bottom is drier than the top
I wish I could find these in South Africa
Love your creativity! I'm gonna do the same! My pump is slow dragging due to hard water. I can't see where the pump wire goes to inside the cooler. Nothing on RUclips! I heard MasterCool went Bankrupt!! Thank you!
Thank you! It wouldn’t surprise me
I like this guy I was talking all the same shit about this cooler like this guy was b4 I watch this video . Thanks for sharing this info
The hose from the pump, when it comes to the top of the back, instead of connecting it to hose barb, ad a loop about 12 inch Dia then connect it to hose barb. I'm going to try this pad. Just a note you can get a pad out of Florida made in China cist about 65.00.
Should show up on a web search. The big pad comes in 2 pieces.
Ok, it's a year later, Summer is just around the corner here in SoCal, did you do any more mods, like perhaps add another layer of Aspen pads to the backside to stop the misting in the house? Thanks for the video!
No, I never did. The little bit of water that was coming in to the house subsided and it wasn’t necessary. Still working great
I just had this done based on your video. Thank you!!! Much cheaper and way better.
yea i have a bonaire 5900 and seeing homedepot delivered my pads torn to hell think im gonna try this .
Why not? They are so much cheaper. It doesn’t hurt to try.
Thanks for info tired of paying $100+ for a cardboard pad.
So does it cool as well as the original pads? You told us a lot about the old days and when you were a kid, but wondering about on this unit?
That’s a very good question! It’s been doing great. I do think I will add the second layer next season because even though it is performing better than the original, I think it needs more saturation between the exterior air and the interior air. That being said, even in hundred degree days, the interior temperature has remained around 72 degrees. Not bad!
Thanks for the advice, it really helps to save some money by doing home maintenance, so funny when you burned those old pads lol
Could you feel my frustration? Lol. Glad it helped.
Love all your upgrades. Thank you.
@@kerrsydotes glad you enjoyed it
It's April 10 here in So Cal and starting to get warm! Did mine today but next year I'm gonna do it your way! One SMART Lady! Now, mine is in my bedroom and even on 'LOW' its still to powerful! Is it possible to use a 'rheostat' of some kind to slow it down a night?
Probably. They have some of those type of switches at Home Depot that you use for lamps. Only one way to find out. 😉
Great idea ! Did it keep your house as cool as the expensive pads ? Do you still recommend doubling the aspen pads ?
I would say my house is cooler than the expensive pads at least the ones that were full of hard water. I never did double the pads the misting seemed to stop all on its own. to be fair though I only run it on low speed, which is sufficient for my needs
@@ForgingFreedomTV We got the aspen pads and have been running them for about 1 1/2 months. As we are breaking record temps the last few days I have to say how thankful we are for your information. We saved money , it is actually cooler AND cleaner ( dust and little nats used to blow in ) than the original filters !! Thanks again !
Since it's been 2 years, how is it working? Will you recommend over laping 2 of the aspen pad
@@ericcastaneda58 I never did get around to putting the second one on and it’s been working great. Next summer I’ll probably need to replace it due to the hard water scale, but they’re so dang cheap it won’t be a problem. The wires that I used to retain the pad have gotten rusty and will need to be replaced, but that’s no big deal. I’ll probably use some galvanized wire this time. Thanks for taking the time to stop by
What size pads did u use?
Does it work at highest speed? Sometimes they suck air so hard the water is pulled off the pad and comes inside?
Only problem I have with box style cooler is in hard water areas they rust out in no time, plus they are very big.
That’s a good question. I always run mine on low speed. Right now the water is not getting inside, but, next summer I am going to add that second layer and I think if I do this that possibility will be eliminated
Question my turning on my water line it has a little link should I tap it are Chang the hole nozzle
I think you said you have a little leak when you turn on the water. Is it in the hose or in the tank?
@@ForgingFreedomTV it’s the one you start the water line it’s like a silver bar it started dripping is that a concern should I put black tap on it
@@veragarcia7817 I'm super sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean. If the leak will just drop into the tank, don't worry about it. If it's leaking on the ground, you might want to fix that so you don't use so much water. Hope that helps
Did you notice any difference in performance?
It’s hard to say. All I know is it keeps my house plenty cool and I really appreciate how much lighter the filter unit is when I have to service the inside of the chamber
Excellent video! Thanks for the tips!🙂
Glad I could help! Thanks for stopping by
Solve the problem you had here requires two things. Bleed off line from the water pump an/or purge pump. Second, Decalcifier membrane before the pump. Without it, you have the issues you experienced.
Great video,very informational works great amazing!!!
Thank you 😊
A hack for hard water. I have a Hessair and a Artic tower. Both had calcium build up so I put a half a teaspoon of rock salt in the tank. I would onky do it went the build up gets bad. I wouldn't recommend using the old aspen in compost or garden with it having had salt water. PLASTIC tanks only because the salt water might eat away at the metal.I was raised on using the aspen in strawberry beds to detour snails.
bit of advice from old guy been working various evaporative coolers. first of all my observation on your pan and the old paper media, you got dust mixed in with calcium. that is not hard water, because even with soft water, calcium still is present in tap water. And your cooler pad and pan (where water is puddled up) there is a layer of white stuff, calcium with dirt. yes your thought about vinegar was right, but will not solve the dirt build up that your machine is exposed to.
the edges you cut off the aspen pad let say not good idea. the reason aspen pad is manufactured with excess mesh because aspen pad will expand 2 to 3 times it's size. If the media is not "contained", will fall and interfere with machinery or tubing. I only have one answer to dilemma of over sized media; open the mesh, remove excess material then close the mesh fold mesh allowing 2 inch empty space for media to expand into. that is the reason why some evaporative cooler has excess non-grille area to allow for expansion.
that is permament barb connection (fitting). not design as removeable. there is quick disconnect fitting sold at Lowes. You did not buy those. those are designed for connecting and disconnecting quickly, for servicing.
A double layer will keep the cooler from "misting" inside your house, you're on the right track
Actually, the misting stopped after about a week 😂. That’s how hard my water is
Nice I low key thought you burning those pads was your outro 😂
Glad you enjoyed it. I was so frustrated that day, but the cooler is still going strong with the modifications.
Loved your vid...you are funny too :)
Thank you 😊
Oh, its beyond stupid. It's dangerous to health. Last year we bought these cardboard pads and after about a month of use realized that everything including a cooler, anything around it was covered in this strange crust. We had to chip it off the surface of the items.....until I realized that it's droplets of glue that were something making to the outside of the cooler and turning into this crust. And this is what the are breathing in 🤯
Thank you so much for making this video. I didn't know how to go about it and surely didn't have another $80 to spare living on my husband's SSDI (they are paying him as we are back in 1999 🤦♀️).
Oh and the air quality you get with these cardboard boxes 👎👎👎
Thanks!
My pleasure! We’re all in this together 😉
Adapt ,improvise over come !
Yes, thank you
Uh yeah you def need a filter on that water. Yikes.
Right? So full of minerals
That’s hella smart!
Thank you!
Here because I'm not about to drop 150 bucks on replacement pads.
Exactly, ridiculous right? Hope you found it helpful
@@ForgingFreedomTV very helpful thank you 😀
Funny ! Call a guy ,what makes you think a guy knows how to fix it ?
Any real guy would
this change made my swamp work like when it was new. 20$ for all the parts, i might change to an old style next year.
I’m so glad you found this helpful! Rock and continue to forge your freedom