Problems with my new Westinghouse...

[Rick M.]

Hey guys,

I got this 1950s Westinghouse "Lively Aire" desk fan for my birthday last week. I was super excited when I got it, as it was a total surprise. When I got it, the fan was operational, although a bit rattily. I decided to give it a full cleaning and oiling yesterday, but I'm afraid I might have screwed something up...

I opened the motor casing to find a very dusty/grimy motor inside. The motor casing was a real pain to open; the two rear screws are near impossible to get out. I did a light surface cleaning on the motor's components, oiled the two bearings, and closed the motor casing back up. I plugged it in and now it just hums. The blades spin perfectly freely until power is applied; when it's switched on, the shaft locks up and the motor hums. When the power is off, the blades will spin freely again. The same issue persists when the motor casing is loosened or open completely. Sometimes the blades will turn a tiny bit when the motor is on, as if trying to push against something. It's like the stator gets stuck any time power is switched on. Due to the humming, this does not seem like an electrical issue; it seems more like a physical problem to me.

Any suggestions? I really hope I did not ruin this fan...I've taken multiple motors apart before and have never had a problem like this...

Pictures if they help:














Any help would be greatly appreciated! I really hope to get this fan running again.

[Austin]

The fan is binding up. Yes it may seem like the blades spin freely when off but when power is applied it binds up and doesnt spin. Its probably the bearings being misaligned. You really should have left it untouched because this is the reason why I dont take those motors apart. There are oil ports on these fans, they are located in the middle slit. So in the future just oil it through the ports so you dont have to go through the hassle of taking the motor apart and re-alining the bearings.

Also, I recommend using mothers aluminum polish on the blade to make it look like a mirror.

[Rick M.]

Feb 17, 2013 19:45:14 GMT -5 Austin said:

The fan is binding up. Yes it may seem like the blades spin freely when off but when power is applied it binds up and doesnt spin. Its probably the bearings being misaligned. You really should have left it untouched because this is the reason why I dont take those motors apart. There are oil ports on these fans, they are located in the middle slit. So in the future just oil it through the ports so you dont have to go through the hassle of taking the motor apart and re-alining the bearings.

Also, I recommend using mothers aluminum polish on the blade to make it look like a mirror.

Thanks for the advice. I'll do my best to re-align the bearings and we'll see what happens...

I found out about the oil ports after the fact...I probably would have just oiled it through the ports, had I done my research before messin' with it...

Good idea with the polish. I'll have to try that!

[Rick M.]

The Westinghouse lives again! I reassembled the motor today, and it's working great! Thanks for the help, Austin!

[wbr]

I have a similar Westinghouse fan (12-in A5A) with a similar motor & bearing. I did the same thing - took it all apart, cleaned it, and wondered why it was binding up - only to realize there are two lube holes in the top-middle housing fin. My unit was so clogged up with grime, the lube holes were invisible from the outside.

After careful re-assembly, fan works great. In my model (looks like you have it too), there are two rectangular(ish) metal washers that fit over the bearing between the two housing halves. I don't know if these provide any stabilizing force on the bearing & shaft, but they have to be set just right for the fan to operate correctly (I think).

My question about this fan is: How much oil does one apply to these bearings? Just enough to coat them, or enough to fill the cup beneath the bearing/shaft assembly? When I opened my case, there was no oil to be seen anywhere, just some grease piled up near the aft bearing. I assume the grease is either a mistake or it's gummed up original oil.

[isaiah10]

use the right oil on fans you can use singer sewing machine oil or 3 n 1 blue label for fractional hp motors or zoom spout.
 no wd 40 or penetrating oils.

[isaiah10]

Here is a link to these fans on another forum  www.afcaforum.com/forum1/5553.html may be of help  . one guy said you have to turn them up side down to put them back together. good luck .
 I have one also that needs the 3 speed switch ,don't know what Ill do with it .

[isaiah10]

What is a good polish to shine up a 1918 fan with the nickel chrome finish .? 

[Jordan U]

Feb 13, 2016 19:20:43 GMT -5 isaiah10 said:

What is a good polish to shine up a 1918 fan with the nickel chrome finish .? 

I've had good results using Wright's Brass Polish on just about any surface, even paint.. If its a plated finish, be careful with polishing..