Sick Original

[JW]

I've got a really weird problem with a 1995 Original. This fan was one of the 56" ones I took out of the restaurant about a month ago, and it has been spraypainted from white to black.

It will run at EXACTLY the same speed, on all three speeds, on both directions - about 85 or 90 RPM or so (about half the high speed of a 56" Original). When I turn the fan to the different speeds, I hear a progressively softer hum, which sounds like it is apparently drawing the correct amount of current for each speed. However, the fan does not actually go slower.

I have changed out the capacitor, to no avail - it does the exact same thing. My only guess is that the spray paint got into the windings and messed them up somehow? How would that happen? Or perhaps the varnish has deteriorated in some spots?

I don't want to have to send an Original to the land of parts, RattleKanned^TM though it may be. Any guesses? Is the fan toast?

[Andrew G.]

I have a spare stator if you need it.

[JW]

They're held in by molten and rehardened lead though, aren't they?

[Andrew G.]

jw said:

They're held in by molten and rehardened lead though, aren't they?

No, originals made after 1984 use a different, more precise stator that simply attaches to the motor housing with screws. The stator goes in and comes out very easily.

[Deleted]

Ok, have you tried wiring it up with an amp meter or light bulb to determine how much current it's drawing on each speed.

[Louis]

I would like to be able to get out one of the older stators that is soldered in. I tried once, but I did not want to mess up the fan, so I out it back together before I did any damage.

[Deleted]

Do you have an ampmeter? If not, use a light bulb and another Original to measure (comparatively) how much current it's drawing on each respective speed.

And also, ask Brian Hicks. If he cant help you, ask Bill Fanum.