Thread: Workshop fan - fixable?

Rusty,
can you spin the blades easily by hand? Often fans stuff up because the bearings get tight. They usually have a sintered bronze bush, which eventually loses its lubrication and siezes up. Try partially disasembling it and spraying the bushes with some wd40 or similar. This may get it up and running again temporarily. If it does run for a while and then sieze up again you'll need to remove the bearings if you can and soak them in some hot oil.

Mick

Agree with Mick, I've had luck with a couple of 40cm pedestal fans like this, dried out lubrication.

Also, for longevity, get in the habit of starting it on high to get it up to speed quicker then select the speed you want, will be better for the motor in the long run.


Cheers.......................Sean, a fan

If its not the bearings, it is possibly the start capacitor - probably dead of old age. You'll have to pull the motor casing apart & find the capacitor - it will be from 'c' cell to 'D' cell in size, or a bit bigger. Take i out & go to a competent electrical component supplier & get a replacement - someone like Jaycar should be able to help, otherwise the motor mechanic.

There are a couple of contacts that connect/disconnect the capacitor which may have stuck in the 'off' position - usually found in a block connected to the motor shaft & work by centriugal force.

Of course you could get some books on motors & wiring from the local library & become your own expert (has-been, drip under pressure )

Mmmm, not sure that bearings would be the problem; before it stopped completely fan moved (and sounded the same) on all three speed settings. More likely electrical me thinks. Right or wrong?

Have partially disassembled and various cogs and wheels are literally swimming in grease and oil. Can't see anything that looks like any bearing I know (the ones shaped like tiny wheels). This is a very old fan by the way.

There is a black plastic cubey thing about 2" x 2" x1". Is that the capacitor?

Thanks for your tips.I probably should buy one of these new Chinese made fans but I don't have a throw-away mentality and this is a ripper of a fan when it's going.