Replacement Options for Rheem Blower Motor

[mische7]

Murphey's Law is in high gear. It's hot as blazes in the south and out of nowhere my Rheem blower motor died. The full details of the unit itself: R95TC0401317MSA
The details of the motor coming out: part #51-102172-00

Here's the rub: almost no one has this particular motor and, of course, this one failed so I'm skeptical of it anyway. What other motor (Rheem or other) would be able to replace this one? It's remarkably hard to find that info..

Thanks in advance!

 

[danski0224]

Google search for the part number spits back at least 2 places that claim to have it in stock.

Get out the credit card, pay for express shipping... done.

It's an ECM motor. They are usually durable. Power issues?

 

[FredWanaker]

Power, surge or there is a problem with too much static pressure and that overloaded the motor.

 

[mm08822]

I know your pain. I went through this last week. Check Grainger for equals. Look up ge, century, gentec in blower motors. Pull your motor so you can measure it and compare.
Wasn't the cheapest, but in stock and name brand. Changed out w/o a problem.

 

[bonneyman]

If it's an ECM, those motors will eat nails. Their electronics on the **** end, however, are suspect to all sorts of issues. That control module can be replaced separately, but you need the OEM exact replacement. Plus not cheap.
A regular PSC motor. Pull the existing motor and take it down to the local warehouse. It'll have the HP, amp draw, voltage, rotation, and cap size on the nameplate. Buy a motor with the same specs. And get a new capacitor. Don't risk using an old cap on a new motor.

 

[PoorUB]

What other motor (Rheem or other) would be able to replace this one? It's remarkably hard to find that info..

None. Buy the OEM motor. The electronics in the motor are programed to match the equipment. You can not just slap anything in its place like the old days with 3 or 4 speed motors.

Generally the ECM motors are gery tough. The electronics in the end bell usually fail first.

I have a Ruud (Rheem) furnace in my house with am ECM motor that is seventeen years old with the original motor.

 

[mische7]

Thanks all. I appreciate you weighing in. (and commiserating!)
The power going to the unit is normal and the unit is grounded of course, but it was installed in 2016 and I've read that some of the earlier motors in this have had issues. The bearings in it are shot. No matter how you slice it, I need to nab a new one. I know the current one is programmed to 08. (just FYI)

I'm looking at the replacement parts list in the Nov 2019 pdf and it lists two different model numbers entirely. I'm curious is any of the 3 would work? (original motor 51-102172-00)
51-102172-08
51-107164-08

 

[American Locomotive]

Why not just replace the bearings?

 

[mische7]

Why not just replace the bearings?

Well, that's a great question actually. I'm totally game to give that a try.. if it's shot, why not? I'll hit YouTube and see what I can find. If you have any favorite vids for that (or you made one yourself?) let me know!

 

[American Locomotive]

Here's a video:

Pretty sure just about everyone uses those same ECM motors.

 

[mische7]

Here's a video:

Pretty sure just about everyone uses those same ECM motors.

I've been watching this one! In fact I'm already on the hunt for the bearing.

 

[Innovate1]

Replacing the bearings should be an easy enough job. You need an arbor press. And don't put the press load on the balls - that's a good way to greatly shorten the life of the bearing although you may not even be able to tell from spinning the bearing. When pressing the bearings on the shaft use a tube that presses on the inner race. Masking tape is a good way to clean any little bits of steel off the rotor that the magnets are clinging to.

 

[karoc]

Myself being old school HVAC person, when they started putting VS motors in furnaces this was distant to be problem. Going to VS motors I just can’t see the advantages, now look what is going to happen to all of us, even us old guys. More expensive motors, shortages, very voltage sensitive, all for what? I replace my system couple yrs ago which was over 25 yrs old. Replace transformer once, maybe fan relay, that’s it. Yes my system now has VS motor, so I’m will yall

 

[toplessHO]

Replacing the bearings should be an easy enough job. You need an arbor press. And don't put the press load on the balls - that's a good way to greatly shorten the life of the bearing although you may not even be able to tell from spinning the bearing. When pressing the bearings on the shaft use a tube that presses on the inner race. Masking tape is a good way to clean any little bits of steel off the rotor that the magnets are clinging to.

I disagree
always press using the outer race

 

[toplessHO]

I just replaced the same type in the Carrier thats 14 yrs old
bearings in it are fine but the electronics went south.

 

[Indexmill]

I disagree
always press using the outer race

********. NEVER press across the balls. Never, ever.

 

[whateg01]

I disagree
always press using the outer race

Press the outer if you need to press into a housing. Press the inner if pressing onto a shaft.

 

[toplessHO]

********. NEVER press across the balls. Never, ever.

it wasnt on a shaft it was in a housing

 

[toplessHO]

Press the outer if you need to press into a housing. Press the inner if pressing onto a shaft.

worded better thanks

 

[Indexmill]

^^^ ie., not across the balls.

 

[Innovate1]

This size motors typically have a press fit on the shaft and a close slip fit on the housing (with a wave washer on one end to take up end play). Not typical in this size but they may have anticreep features on the bearings - basically orings in grooves that prevent rotation of the outer race in the housing. Rotation or creep can, over time, enlarge the housing to the point of failure. Some have clamps on the outer race.