Old Heatform (1959) maybe??? Blower replacement

[wayles]

I have what I think is an old Heatform circa 1959. I've attached links to pics below. It doesn't have a blower in it and I am trying to find one that would work. It looks like the blower would have to face the rear of the fireplace and blow air back, up and around. Can I just use a universal type blower and stand it on end pointing backwards? I appreciate any help!

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuw7-Xeo5j2XQ&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuw7-Xeo5j2XQ&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuw7-Xeo5j2XQ&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuw7-Xeo5j2XQ&feat=directlink

 

[gzecc]

Looks very similar to my old one. Check the tubes above the firebox. Mine were rusted through. Mine had air intakes on either side of the firebox near the floor, then it had two fans up high, blowing out.
Does yours have inlets in the bottom for air?

 

[wayles]

My tubes look good. I have air intakes on both side of the firebox just above the floor, one air vent (in or out, I guess out) up high on the right and a very big (30" by 5") outflow vent in the front above the firebox.

One of my problems is that a prior owner of the home removed all of the fans/blowers so I am trying to figure out where to start. I assumed there would be a blower on the floor level blowing up and back to bring air out the front. But now it sounds as if there was a fan up top blowing out towards the room (as opposed to sucking air into the unit from the bottom??)

Thanks for any help!

Wayles

 

[gzecc]

Mine was original. It only had two fans up high. I assumed it sucked air, into the bottom, across the back and around the box and out the top. I would have tried to bring mine back to use, but because of the rusted tubes I installed an insert.

 

[wayles]

I am hoping not to have to install a new insert. Ideally I'd like to be able to install 2 blowers that would fit into the 5"x12" air intake openings on the bottom to push air up and out of the top. I think it would be better to have fans pushing as opposed to pulling. Once again, any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gzecc]

My feeling is that the heat flows up, because of natural fundamentals. Helping it rise is probably easier by pulling it along. Need a very small fan. With pushing, you will create all kinds of turbulence you will need to overcome, which will create additional noise.

 

[wayles]

That makes sense to me. Any ideas for a type of small fan that can deal with that type of heat that would fit in that relatively small space?

 

[gzecc]

What size is the space? Maybe http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs..._mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D26X-_-100073963

 

[wayles]

I found this Minuteman door fan that is 5" square. I can fit two of them on top of each other perfectly in my 5" x 12" opening. I just ordered them and can't wait to try them out.

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

Wayles