FAQ's

Watch the YouTube video - https://youtu.be/7Q3DKfHJyzw

Depending on many factors, you can expect 5 to 10 degrees of ambient air cooling. However, we consider the ambient air cooling a pleasant side effect for the people that work in the barn.

Our focus is on the COW and maintaining her core body temperature.

Why? Because she is more important, keeping her cool and providing her with consistency is more important than cooling the ambient air.

Systems that focus on cooling the air are banking on enough degrees of ambient air cooling that she/the cow can give off her heat to the environment around her. Which is fine if it’s 25°C but if it's a 100°F/ 36°C in the barn and we lower the ambient air temperature by 10°, it's still 90°F/ 32°C. The cows are still suffering severe heat stress, she can't give off the heat she generates from rumination to the environment around them. The ambient air is to hot.

With Core Cool Systems, the focus is on her. The System never stops manipulating the environment around her, keeping her cool as the temperature rises, so she doesn't have to throw her heat off to the environment around her because she isn't hot.

Core Cool Systems intuitive controllers monitor not only ambient air temperature in the barn but also the humidity. Monitoring humidity is critical, because when the humidity is above 60%, cows can feel the heat at fairly low temperatures.

For example – A traditional single-speed fan system may only come on at 20°C/ 68°F, which sounds cool, but if the humidity is just 50%, your cow is already a risk for reproduction success. The risk of more severe heat stress increases as the temperature and humidity increase.

With a variable speed system like Core Cool Systems, the fan speed increases as the temperature increases, keeping the cow in her thermal comfort zone the entire time. She doesn't even notice the ambient air temperature rising and feels consistently cool. We all know how much cows love consistency!

As the temperature and humidity rise, there comes the point where airspeed alone isn't sufficient to offer cooling. That's when the evaporative cooling feature kicks in, adding another level of cooling to maintain core body temperature.

Cows don't sweat as humans do, so they don't have a way to self-regulate their body temperature. They have to give their heat off to the environment around them. That's why all the focus is on cooling the ambient air. But remember, 10° degrees of ambient air cooling when it's 100°F/36°C means it's still 90°F/32°C. The cattle are still at a moderate to severe risk of heat stress.

The evaporative cooling is timed and adjusted according to the temperature and humidity in the barn. The fine droplets evaporate quickly from a combination of the cow's body heat and the focused and high-speed air. Keeping the cows feeling comfortable and cool.

The proof is in the pudding. Let's finish with a quote from a customer's nutritionist at a farm with a Core Cool System in Portugal.

The system was installed in the fresh cows barn and right after the install in July we averaged 80 - 103°F, the cows feed intake went up by 3kg/day/cow and continued on that level. We know that with higher feed intake comes higher production and less metabolic disorders, less mastitis, less displaced abomasum cases, lower negative energy balance at the start of lactation and better reproduction." Nutritionist to Portugal Farmer

Both the farmer and nutritionist are very happy with the result's achieved with the Core Cool System through a significant heat event.

In conclusion, ambient air cooling will occur because the droplets will evaporate in the air and cool it, but Core Cool Systems' primary focus is maintaining Core Body Temperature and keeping your cows cool and in their thermal comfort zone.

If you have any questions or you would like to learn more, contact me nancy@corecoolsystems.com

Don't feel like reading? – Here's a video link – https://youtu.be/ZWtM41A5zfI

Short Answer:
Your bedding won't get wet with Core Cool Systems.

The Core Cool Systems uses an ultra-fine droplet that doesn't soak the cow, the bedding or the stalling. Every molecule of water the system puts out evaporates, and there is no water accumulation causing soaking or wetting.

The low-pressure, low-volume water cooling technology adjusts intuitively according to the temperature and humidity in real time.

The ultra-fine droplets create an "imitation sweat." The droplets evaporate off her coat and produce a chilling effect that maintains core body temperature and keeps her cool.

Longer Answer:
Many companies have tried, and the results have been catastrophic, wet beds, an increase in mastitis and somatic cell counts. We don't blame you for being skeptical. I would be too. That's why much research and development has gone into the Core Cool System since its inception in 2009. We have discovered that high airspeed is critical to evaporation and the success of cooling with water over the beds. The water droplet's size, the water application's duration, and monitoring and adjusting to humidity and temperature are all critical to the success of cooling over the beds with water.

All those elements must work together and be balanced to match the temperature and humidity to achieve cooling without soaking the bedding.

• Minimum 5mph/7kmph wind speed in every stall
• Droplet Size
• Duration and Frequency of misting
• Humidity
• Temperature

High airspeed is critical. Every stall must have a minimum of 5mph to help evaporation.

We have systems running over sawdust, manure solids, straw, deep bedding packs, and all farmers report that the bedding stays dry and that the SCC has stayed the same or lowered.

Every droplet the system puts out has time to evaporate from the high airspeed and the body heat coming off the cow. There is no moisture accumulation, and the cows, stalling and bedding all stay dry.

An important factor is humidity. We monitor the humidity level in the barn continuously. If the humidity is high, the water system backs off and decreases the duration and frequency of the misting to accommodate for that humidity. The high humidity level can be set in the controller, and when the humidity in the barn reaches that level, the water system shuts off completely.

Our focus is to offer the best cooling possible but to keep the bedding dry, so the cow can stay healthy and be cool at the same time.

I asked a customer to answer this question for you, "I don't want to put the Core Cool System in because I'm afraid my bedding is going to get wet." Here is his answer.

"Our Somatic Cell Count did not rise because of the water over the beds. It stays consistent. The bedding stays dry. We have had our system in for four years now, and we have fewer issues now because the cows aren't stressed out from the heat and the humidity. They are cool and comfortable. Our DHI records show the system is working, and we can see that the cows are healthy, comfortable and cool."

This farmer has a tie stall barn with low ceilings and many obstructions like pipeline and support posts. He has the complete Core Cool System, uses the evaporative cooling feature from April to October and is very happy with his decision to invest in a Core Cool System.

The question was, "Can I have water over the beds and not have wet bedding?" The answer is YES, with a Core Cool System, you Can.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at nancy@corecoolsystems.com

Follow us on Social media @CoreCoolSystems FB, TW, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Don't feel like reading, here's a link to a video instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IkVbglbqM.

You know those days in the spring and fall when you start with a sweater, and a vest at 6 am. First, the vest comes off around 8 am, then the sweater around 9:30, and by 11:30, you are working in a t-shirt, maybe even starting to break a sweat.

I know you know the days.

On those days, speed set according to the temperature is essential for your cow's comfort and health. They don't have layers to take off, they only have one coat, made of leather, so it holds the heat in, making her feel hot. Sometimes they may still wear their winter coats, so it's even hotter for them.

Those days variable speed set to the temperature is a massive asset.

When it's cool, the Core Cool System units are just slowly turning, keeping the air moving, fresh and dry as the day heats up, the Core Cool unit speeds up. Increasing the airspeed in the stall, keeping her comfortable and cool in her stall, or at the bunk if you have bunk cooling.

She doesn't even notice the temperature rising because the airspeed compensates for the increasing temperature. To her, it's a consistently temperate day. Then in the afternoon and early evening, as the temper starts to drop, the fan speed drops accordingly.

Core Cool Systems focuses on maintaining her Core Body, so she feels the same consistent temperature regardless of fluctuations in the ambient air temperature.

Here is a testimonial from a farmer in Ontario, Canada, about his experience with a Core Cool System.

"The system adapts to provide the right climate for the cows, and it's fully automated. I don't have to do anything. Panel fans run for too long and too fast, and they run at 100% capacity or nothing at all."

This farmer likes that the Core Cool unit sets the speed according to the temperature, so his cows have the consistency they need to reach peak performance. His bottom line likes that he doesn't have to pay for power to run fans at 100% when they only need to run at 75% or 58% or 33%. You can't get that flexibility and adaptability from a single-speed fan.

It’s a bonus that the variable speed happens internally in the EC motor, without needing an external VFD, limiting the chance of stay voltage in the barn.

Variable speed set according to the temperature and humidity in the barn has massive benefits 365 days a year. The Core Cool System offers heat stress prevention during the hottest months and the value-added benefit of providing your cows with core body temperature consistency 365 days a year.

Consistently Cool Cows are Core Cool Cows.

If you would like more information, contact nancy@corecoolsystems.com

Follow us on social media - @CoreCoolSystems on FB, TW, LinkedIn and Instagram.

YES. Maintaining Core Body temperature and keeping the cows cool will have a significant impact on reproduction rate.

Don’t feel like reading? Watch the video - https://youtu.be/Xo6XjkXnj6c

When dairy cattle are subjected to heat stress, reproductive efficiency declines. Cows under heat stress have reduced duration and intensity of estrus, altered follicular development, and impaired embryonic development.

Reproduction is the first to suffer when the warm weather arrives. At just 24°C/76°F and 50%, humidity reproduction can start to be affected.

That means getting cows in calf from Mid summer to Mid Fall can be an issue on some farms.

Optimal CBT is 101.5°F/38.6°C

When the core body temperature rises just 1°C from 38.6°C to 39.6°C, conception rates can drop 20%, and when the ambient temperature reaches 32.2°C/90°F or above within the first 72 hours after breeding, the chances of that cow staying in calf are 0%. Imagine how much of an impact that has on an operation.

The viability of the embryo is compromised at a CBT of 102.2°F/39°C. Embryonic life is very susceptible to heat stress during the first six days, and the result of temperatures rising to 104.5°F/40.3°C can be deadly catastrophic to the embryo.

Negative effects of heat stress have been identified from 42 days before to 40 days after insemination. The only way to protect your herd is to provide continual cooling and maintain core body temperature.

The Core Cool System prevents Core Body Temperature (CBT) from increasing to the critical levels. The ultra-fine droplets act like sweat to maintain CBT as ambient temperatures rise. She is consistently cool.

I asked a customer to share his experience, I asked, “How has the Core Cool System impacted your operation?” Here’s his answer.

Summer Reproduction levels are at an all time high.
"Our summer reproduction levels were fantastic in 2019 our first summer with the system and continue to be.
The cows and heifers that freshened between May - September get back into calf on their first heat cycle and start calving in Feb, March and April, which has a huge impact on our production levels for those months.
Missed heat cycles, cows not breeding due to heat stress can be avoided.
A Customer from Woodstock, ON

Poor summer reproduction rates can cost significant amounts of money and create a management nightmare. You shouldn't have to deal with that aggravation. Core Cool System is an investment in your operation that will pay dividends in multiple ways.

Preventing the damaging impact of heat stress on reproduction rates means getting cows back in calf on the first attempt, even in the hotter months. Keeping your operation on track, getting your girls back in lactation, keeping the milk flowing into your tank and the MOO-Lah in your bank.

Contact nancy@corecoolsystems.com or visit corecoolsystems.com

Follow us on social media @CoreCoolSystems

Don’t feel like reading? Watch the video - https://youtu.be/8B0UkuzrYhg

Let’s start with the technical answer.

EC (Electronically Commutated, or Electronically Controlled) motors are the next generation of electric motors. They have permanent magnets on the rotor and use electronics to regulate the voltage and current applied to the motor.

The permanent magnets create the rotor field, and a series of coils controlled by an electronic controller create the stator field. EC Motors are essentially brushless DC motors with a power control board built into them.

EC motors don’t have any brushes, so they don’t produce sparks and have a longer lifetime compared to brushed DC motors. Because EC motors use electronics to control the stator and don't waste any power inducing the rotor field, they have superior energy efficiency and speed controllability and run cooler than induction motors.

I hear you saying, “So What” What does that mean to you?

Let’s get practical.

The benefits are far-reaching and cover many aspects of your operation, from less maintenance to minimizing the risk of stray voltage, lower power bills, and improved cow comfort. How does an EC motor work versus an AC or DC motor? Well, explaining it can feel like giving an electrical engineering lecture. I am glad to do so, but would rather discuss the benefits you get from an EC motor. It’s like your smartphone. We don’t understand everything about how it works. But we certainly understand the benefits.

Greater Fan speed control:

EC motors offer the ability to set fan speed according to the temperature and humidity in the barn. With as many as 1,200 speed settings between 10% and 100% power, they can match the fan speed to maintain the cow’s core body temperature. A traditional AC motor, fitted with an external variable frequency drive offers only a few speed settings. Think about the fan in your bedroom with zero, one, two, or three to choose from, now imagine one with the infinite ability to adjust the speed to match the temperature, how much more comfortable would you be?

Variable speed without using an external Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

• External VFDs can lead to Stray voltage, which is no laughing matter. It can cost farms significant amounts of money and unimaginable heartache. The cost of stray voltage is much more than the financial.
• An EC motor's speed control is built into electronic commutation electronics. A 0-10 volt signal wire sends information to each EC motor adjusting the fan speed to match the temperature and humidity. Giving you the ability to control the environment, maintain core body temperature and keep cows consistently cool without the risk of stray voltage.

Energy Efficiency
Power, it's on almost everyone's mind. Either you don't have enough of it, or it costs the sun, moon, and stars. The EC motor is very energy efficient. Supporters with AC motors that generate similar airspeed will consume 5 -12 amps of power, while the EC motor will consume just 3 amps at 100% power. Saving you a significant amount of money on your power bill.

One of our customers said to me, “When you melt your fuse panel, and still need more cooling, you need to start thinking about what’s using power on your farm. We took out 48, 52” panel fans that were consuming 5 amps of power each and replaced them with 36, 25” units that consume 3 amps of power. We have higher airspeed, better air quality and healthier cows, while using a fraction of the power.”

Variable speed set to THI (Temperature Humidity Index)
Single-speed fans are either ON or OFF. The fan offers either too much airspeed or none in the spring and fall of the year. Some farmers choose to run half the fans. Others choose to fit the single-phase fans with external variable-speed drives. Those choices either mean more money or manpower. The EC motor offers a variable speed set according to the temperature and humidity in the barn. The cows are provided with the exact airspeed needed to maintain core body temperature. Taking temperature swings out of the equation improves cattle health and comfort. Better yet, this happens automatically, meaning no manhours are needed, and human error is taken out of the equation.

Low Maintenance, No belts, no bearings -
The EC motor is direct drive, there are no belts to tighten or replace, and the bearings are self-lubricating, so there are no bearings to grease. Maintenance is kept to a minimum, and no downtime because of broken belts or bearings. You and your workforce can get on with the 100 other jobs on the chore list.

Stand-by mode for winter operation

• Stand-by mode keeps the motor turning at 8% power, so it's always in motion, gently stirring the air, driving humidity and condensation out of the barn, and keeping the air fresh.
• At 8% it’s consuming the same amount of power as 70-watt lightbulb.
• It also keeps the motor lubricated, protects it from high and low temperatures, and keeps the motor internals dry, increasing the motor's longevity.
• The added benefit is that the birds can't nest in the fan housing. It's hard enough keeping those pesky birds out of the barn without giving them a cozy place to nest.

Noise
Do you need earplugs to walk through the barn in July? Squealing bearing and thumping belts create deafening noise. The EC motor has no belts or bearings, so it runs very quietly. Imagine being able to stand in the barn and have a conversation with your nutritionist or the vet.

I had a customer tell me that he used to dread milking in the summer because it sounded like a Boeing 747 was running in the barn, now it’s so much better, much quieter, and peaceful, milking is an enjoyable time again.

Minimal Start-up Power Draw
Most farms with belt drive systems need to orchestrate how their system starts up, so they don't overload their power supply. Belt drive start-up draws a lot of power causing nuisance breaker trips that can create annoying and costly issues. The EC motor is a magnetic drive with a "soft" start meaning they don't pull/draw as much power as an AC motor.

Consistent performance - even abroad.
Not completely dependent on voltage and frequency; small changes in voltage do not impact motor output. Plus, 50 or 60 Hz can be used with no impact on performance. So regardless of what voltage or frequency is coming out of the wall, or what country that wall is in, the motor will always perform the same.

Dirty Power Supply
The EC motor has built-in -protection. If your farm is subject to power surges or pulsing, the motor can filter the power going in to prevent damage to the motor. The EC motors in the Core Cool units can handle power fluctuations between 40Hz and 75Hz and volts between 340V and 580V. It has a protection feature that will cause the motor to shut down and go into protection mode. Farms that suffer from the issue know how costly "dirty power" can be. For them, this feature will provide incredible value.

In Conclusion

AC/DC is a great band but not necessarily the best choice available as a motor in your fan.

Not all motors are created equal. Find a cooling system for your animals that has a motor that suits your needs. If you want a motor that offers variable speed set to temperature and humidity, low maintenance, energy savings, and more, consider the Core Cool System powered by an EC motor.

Source: https://terra-bloom.com/blogs/news/what-are-ec-motors