Anyone know how to repair a broken floor fan?

[Arkitech]

First off let me say I know I can easily replace my fan for about 20-30 bucks, but this is just a silly little project I've decided to undertake.

So basically the fan when turned on makes no humming sounds and produces no motion. I'm wondering if the motor is dead. If the motors are cheap enough I may try to replace it. So far I've cleaned the motor of dust using an air compressor and I used wd40 to see if I can bring any life back into it. So far those ideas have'nt worked. Any suggestions?

 

[SandEagle]

is it plugged in?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Does the motor spin freely when you spin the blades?

Do you have power getting to the switch?

Do you have power getting to the motor?

 

[MotF Bane]

Plug the fan in, set it to run, then give the blades a whirl in their correct direction - on the off chance that the friction has somehow jumped up enough to block the starting.

Most likely though, the motor is dead, and it is unlikely to be financially worthwhile to replace the motor. Just go buy a new fan.

 

[jupiter57]

OK, it's a $30 fan.
Here's what you do(according to the financial gurus here at ATOT):

Go to Costco.
Buy new fan.
Pay for it with your Gold Visa Black Amex Platinum Mastercard Rewards Card.
When CC bill arrives, pay in full.
CC company will be so thrilled that you paid in full, they will give you cash back, enough to buy a new Honda Civic with AC!
Drive free Honda when you are hot.
No need for fan.
Win.

 

[montypythizzle]

Some fans you can take apart, some you can't if you can grease the bearings but it usually only works after that for a few months since the grease slowly works it's way out.

In this case, unless it is an ancient fan that you can put grease in it's probably worth throwing it away and getting a new one.

 

[BoomerD]

Chances are, the replacement motor will cost more than the entire fan...

 

[iGas]

No humming noise could mean that there is no power to the fan.

Check the power cords to see if it is broken and/or loose, and check the motor winding to see if there any visible burnt mark.

 

[olds]

WTF is a floor fan? What does a floor need a fan?

 

[brblx]

if the motor is bad, throw it away.

otherwise, try and find the leads for the motor and see if they get power when you turn it on (multimeter).

it's probably the switch or whatever electronics are in there (i would assume a typical ran would need lower voltage DC power, so you need something to step down and rectify.

 

[brblx]

WTF is a floor fan? What does a floor need a fan?

search 'industrial floor fan' or 'box fan'. he's probably talking about the latter.

 

[MustangSVT]

no power means ... no power.

so i'll check the power delivery line starting from a known working outlet.

 

[SparkyJJO]

if the motor is bad, throw it away.

otherwise, try and find the leads for the motor and see if they get power when you turn it on (multimeter).

it's probably the switch or whatever electronics are in there (i would assume a typical ran would need lower voltage DC power, so you need something to step down and rectify.

No, the vast majority of household fans are full 120 VAC induction motors. Horribly inefficient with bad power factor, but cheap to make

The only real efficient AC motors are 3 phase motors, and you'll never find those in any household items since houses don't have 3 phase power.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How old is this fan anyway? Have you tried plugging other things into the same outlet to make sure it is getting power?

If that isn't the problem I'd take it apart and see what you can do with it.

I can tell you this, WD-40 is the last thing you should be spraying on the motor shaft.

 

[brblx]

No, the vast majority of household fans are full 120 VAC induction motors. Horribly inefficient with bad power factor, but cheap to make

The only real efficient AC motors are 3 phase motors, and you'll never find those in any household items since houses don't have 3 phase power.

ah. i know things like big blowers for your central heating/cooling are AC, though i've never worked with AC power enough to know how their motors work.

i figured most of your smaller fans were DC.

the more you know.