Newbie here. I've got a large box fan that I use alot during the hot summer months. Last year when I turned it on, the electric motor would just hum. I thought maybe the belt got tight over the winter. So I adjusted it. Nothing. With the wire screen off, I gave the blades a spin like an old prop plane back in the old days and shamwow, the fan worked. But I have to do that every time and then screw the screen back in place (with the blades turning). Not safe, but I try to be careful so I can get cooled down. Anyway, it's still winter and thought I would try and tackle this problem by getting suggestions from you guys.
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Electric box fan motor - hums when turned on
- Thread starter bayouboy
- Start date
ddawg16
Well-known member
Some of the experts will chime in....but my first guess would be the starter capacitor.
79firebird
Well-known member
yup sounds like the starter capacitor. Had the same prob on our paint booth fan at work
hydramatic
Well-known member
start winding contacts are stuck in the slung out position..which is where they live when the fan is running...when the fan stops, they should come back in..take your thru bolts out and open her up..you`ll see the setup on the armature..clean the contacts and free her up...you`ll be good to go ...
start winding contacts are stuck in the slung out position..which is where they live when the fan is running...when the fan stops, they should come back in..take your thru bolts out and open her up..you`ll see the setup on the armature..clean the contacts and free her up...you`ll be good to go ...
Thanks - but I don't work on electrical components much unless they are on a computer, so a couple of questions: the winding contacts are in the motor itself and has nothing to do with the starter capacitor? what is the best way to clean the contacts (air hose, wire brush, etc)? thanks again and hopefully i can return the favor.
hydramatic
Well-known member
if your motor has a start cap, check it first..if it dosn`t have a cap, the start winding is inside..you`ll see a set of contacts/points on the armature that open and close..that`s what is stuck open..the contacts must come together for the motor to start..clean with some real fine sandpaper...
if your motor has a start cap, check it first..if it dosn`t have a cap, the start winding is inside..you`ll see a set of contacts/points on the armature that open and close..that`s what is stuck open..the contacts must come together for the motor to start..clean with some real fine sandpaper...
How do you check a capacitor? I know they can give you quite a shock if not careful.