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Evaporative Cooler Fan Motors Explained: Belt Drive, Direct Drive and Inverter
Nov
The fan motor is the most expensive part most evaporative cooler owners ever replace, so it pays to order the right one first time. Cooler motors come in three main types, and each is matched to the cooler by wattage, speed type and mounting.
Safety first: coolers are usually on the roof and run on 240V. Use a safe ladder and roof access, and never work on the cooler with the power on. Any hard-wired electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician or cooler technician.
Belt-drive motors
On belt-drive coolers, the motor turns a pulley that drives the fan with a V-belt. Older Breezair and Braemar units use 2-speed motors (560W, 750W, 1100W, 1500W) or variable-speed motors from 380W to 1500W. Check the belt and pulley when you change the motor. See our fan belt guide.
Direct-drive motors
On direct-drive coolers, the fan sits straight on the motor shaft with a collet, with no belt. Examples include Breezair Icon motors (550W, 750W, 1100W, 1500W), Bonaire Fasco motors (600W, 750W and 950W) and CoolBreeze motors (600W, 750W and 1000W). The fan collet must suit both the motor shaft and the fan blade.
Inverter (EC) motors
Some newer coolers use electronically commutated (EC) inverter motors, such as the Bonaire ImPress EC 880W motor for Pinnacle units. These are controlled electronically and must be replaced with the exact model.
What to match when ordering
- Wattage: it’s on the motor label. Don’t go bigger or smaller.
- Type: 2-speed, variable-speed, direct-drive or inverter
- Part number: the motor label often shows a different number to the catalogue part number. Our listings show both where we can.
- Capacitor: many motors need a run capacitor of the right rating. Some motor kits include it.
- Collet or pulley: re-use the old one only if it’s in good condition
Motor or capacitor?
If the fan hums but won’t start, or starts slowly, the capacitor may be the problem, not the motor. A capacitor is much cheaper, so check it first. See cooler fan won’t start: capacitor or motor?.
Fitting a motor
Most cooler motors are wired into the control box, so replacing one is a job for a licensed electrician or cooler technician.
Shop motors
Browse all cooler motors and capacitors, or send us your cooler model and a photo of the motor label and we’ll confirm the right motor.
This guide is general information only. Always follow your cooler manufacturer’s instructions, and use a licensed electrician for any electrical work.
