Other Coolers

Sonoran Cooler

Quality

Some, more expensive coolers, use a painted heavier gauge sheet metal. The paint is constantly being attack by the sun causing fade and eventual expose the metal.

Sonoran Cooler use galvanized 20 gauge sheet metal to form each of the components. Each will then powder coated to further protect them from the environment.

Some, more expensive coolers, use a form of non-rust plastic but suffer deformity and damages from the Sun's Ultra Violet (UV) ray.

Metal construction does not suffer deformity.

Some, for only a few dollars less than the Sonoran cooler, uses a thinner sheet metal in the construction. Slight rust in the structure compromise the whole unit.

All components are made from galvanized heavier metal for longer lasting.

Initial Cost

Other Coolers

Sonoran Cooler

Some, more expensive, coolers can cost over $800 (US Dollars)

Sonoran Cooler is up to $300 less for a comparable unit

Some, cost slightly less than Sonoran's cooler but this is reflected in the quality.

Depending on the coolers, Sonoran coolers cost is approximately 10% more than the lower quality cooler

Installation of a more expensive cooler, because of thicker metal, requires a more rugged cooler stand at extra cost of up to $200 (US Dollars)

Sonoran coolers come with the adjustable legs.

Most cooler will require either a cooler jack or a cooler leg kit costing up to $50 (US Dollars). This cost, in itself, offsets the price different on the Sonoran cooler.

Sonoran coolers come with the adjustable legs.

Maintenance

Other Coolers

Sonoran Cooler

Motor lubrication and replacement is hindered and therefore take more time. This is due to the cabinet's top locating right above the motor, making it hard to effectively and easily oil the motor.

Sonoran cooler is design so that with four snaps on the four latches, the top can be removed. This allow clear and easy access to the motor from the top.

Some coolers use the "spider" to distribute water to the cooling pad(s). Due to the hardness of the water and the dust pulled in from the environment, deposit builds in side this "spider". Depending on the hardness of the deposit, clearing it can be proved to be a tough job.

Sonoran cooler water distribution system is designed with a continuous half inch schedule 40 PVC with removable end caps. With the caps removed the 1/2 inch PVC can be easily cleanse and flushed out. Individual drip holes can be easily cleared.

Most coolers use the "louver" panel system. On each louver panel, there consists many fixed and slanted fins to allow air flow into the cooler. Due to the mineral from the water and dust from the air, these louver panels too will collect deposit and is difficult to clean.

Sonoran cooler is designed without the louver panels. Instead, all Paradise Breese models employ the inexpensive "hot dipped galvanize wire mesh". This wire mesh will also collect deposit. However, since the starting total surface area is mush less than the louver panels, build up will occur at a much slower rate.

Some coolers have the float valve bracket attached to the scroll cage fan housing; either by spot welding or by screws. In either case, water molecules have the direct path from the water reservoir through the float valve's stem to the bracket to the housing and attack it. As rust developed, the bracket is weaken, preventing the float valve from shutting off the water. When the integrity of the bracket is compromised, the cooler is likely need to be replaced.

Sonoran cooler is designed with a separate float valve mounting bracket. This bracket is NOT attached to the scroll cage housing, eliminating the direct path for water to attack it. As the bracket is weakened, a replacement bracket can be installed instead of replacing the cooler.

Most coolers have the pan to hold the water hence the water reservoir. Attached to it are the posts and to the top of the posts, the top is attached.

It is the gap between the posts and pan, however small, where water gets in and deposits hard minerals. It is this deposit that causes the pan to start rusting; mostly at the corners.

Cleaning the pan, like cleaning the louver panels, in general, is a laborious task. With the Scroll cage fan housing and the posts in the way, through cleaning is

Sonoran cooler is designed without the posts. Further, with the Sonoran's Paradise Breeze* models, the pan can be completely removed with only one disconnection of the water line. As a result, the pan can be thoroughly cleansed and thus prolong the operating life of the cooler as a whole.

All evaporative coolers require periodic maintenance. Most coolers requires the maintenance person to be on the roof, with pressurized water hose and/or electrical power cords. On a sloped roof, this create a potential danger of accidentally stepping on either.

Ignoring the heat from the sun above, with posts and scroll cage in the way, wire brushing is difficult and require the maintenance person to be in an abnormal physical position. Flushing the system causes dirty water to run on the roof and on to the porches below.

With only one disconnection of the water line, the Sonoran cooler can be completely and easily disassembled to separate light-weight components. These components can then be moved to ground level where cleanliness level can be better controlled. The maintenance person can be in the shade, on the ground and not be exposed to accidental stepping on the pressurized water hose or electrical power cord.

Maintenance Cost

Other Coolers

Sonoran Cooler

Some, more expensive, coolers require expensive replacement pad costing $80-$150 (US Dollars)

Sonoran cooler uses ordinary pad, replacement cost is approximately $15 (US Dollars)

As the pan rusted beyond patching, costs incur in removal and disposal of the old unit. Also, cost incur in purchasing the replacement unit and the installation.

With Sonoran cooler, because the pan and the top are the same part, as the pan rusted beyond patching, it can be swapped with the top for another "life". Then, even when both are rusted, only the pan needs to be replaced.

As described in the Maintenance section, due to the difficulties in cleaning the unit, for most coolers, maintaining them take much more time and therefore labor costs.

All components directly exposed to water are either much easier to clean or are much less expensive to replace.

Operations

Other Coolers

Sonoran Cooler

Some, more expensive, coolers has air intake through only on side

Sonoran Cooler has air intake on three sides.

Given most water conditions and operating conditions, the pad can collect minerals and dirt to the point of restricting air flow. With only one side for intake, this greatly reduces the efficiency.

Sonoran Cooler has air intake on three sides. Given a one-year cycle, with three open sides for intake, the restriction will not have as much affect on the operation as on the single side intake.

Some coolers, with only one-side intake yet delivering the same CFM. The air molecules will have to accelerate between the pad and the scroll cage fan (blower). This creates 2 conditions: 1) the travel time for the molecules will be shortened and thus less time to evaporate. 2) Air molecules accelerate due to lower pressure between the pad and the scroll cage fan. This low pressure works against the fan and thus the motor, causing higher power consumption.

Some other coolers use the louver side panels. With this design, the louvers themselves restrict the air flow causing lower pressure in the cooler cabinet.

The Paradise Breeze models from Sonoran Cooler use the re-enforced wire mesh. Air flow restriction is kept to a very minimal. Pressure difference between out side air pressure and the cabinet's air pressure, as well as the difference between the cabinet's air pressure and the duct's air pressure are kept to a minimal.

As a result, air molecules has a longer travel time and thus can evaporate more thoroughly. Further, with lower pressure differences, the motor does not have to work as hard and thus does not consume as much power.

With less moisture in the usable air, the ducting sheet metal will also last longer.