Tips on cleaning the Pellet Stove Long Squirel Cage Room Blower? (Convection Blower)

Hello

Removed the Lopi Pioneer Bay Convection Fan for cleaning. Wow is it Dusty & Dirty!

Se this is what I did. Any other suggestions?

1. Remove blower.
Disconnect wire clips.
Open right hand door and loosen back screws. remove front screws and bolt bracket and slide out blower.
Use damp rag and clean dust under fan inside stove.

2. Use brush and vac, brush dust off

3. Use fantastik cleaner and rag, remove greasy dirt on outside of blades

4. Use cue tips to remove greasy dirt on inside of blades

5. Use 3-1 oil on motor shaft and then spin motor with test cord.

6. Use Spray Graphite to stop new dust adheasion
I have found the graphite helps to fill the voids from pitting and smooth the Aluminum so dust does not stick.

7. Re-Install clean, shinny and lubricated!

Compressed air can also be used but dose not remove the grime.

Its called a tangential blower. Part of this how-to ought to show how to get that stupid thing out with out pulling on the igniter wires!! what a nightmare that set up is.

Thanks
Also when I put it back in, it hooked on one of the ignitor wires! PITA !

I just went thru the same ordeal with that blower on my pioneer bay, and yes it is a pita to get the blower back in (only goes in ONE way)
Can't help but noticing that you lubed the bearings on the motor side but didn't do anything on the far end.
I know it's buried in that rubber collar... I wonder how to get to it though because that bearing is giving me trouble.

Hello

Oh, yes I put a couple of drops on the other side also. I believe you can pop out that end.
Since then, I have switched to TufOil Lubit-8 instead of 3-1 Oil for a more High Tech lubrication. Also I now use Dry Moly Spray instead of the Graphite spray. It sticks and coats a little better.
See pics of lube here > http://www.pelletstovemaster.com/1_22_Pellet-Stove-Cleaning-and-Lube-Kits.html

BTW. Good work Griny, you will be all set for the heating season!

I just did my Castile on Sunday and what a freaking mess that blower unit is! Could not believe the crap I pulled out and will certainly do a mid-winter cleaning going forward. My bearings are sealed but I went through 50+ Qtips. I did the cleaning on my belly in a sphinx position and boy, was that a workout! Made a huge difference when I powered up and ran the stove.

Good work, Nice to get all that dust out and a little lubrication will make that blower last much longer!

I pulled out the fan and took it outside and blew it off with compressed air! Gets probably 99% of the dust off

I`ve used the electric motor oil (harveys brand) in the past but it doesn`t hold up as well on my Fasco Ao-82 Fasco (combustion motor) Believe it or not i use Castrol Syntec 5/50 weight a couple drops under the button cap & on the other sleeve style bearing as well went the whole season. In fact i fired it up last week untouched from last season ,until i get the time to give it the once over. My stove also has a versa grate (shaker for the ashes on a cam driven rod) which i use silicone based grease you use on disc brake pads (High temp approved AGS brand)on the cam which works well too. > Outside the box thinking< My stove also has caster wheels on the bottom where the factory had mounted the their shipping skid but that`s another story .

Please put your stove make and model in your signature. I was really wondering how you like the versa grate? I have a friend that has one and it has all ceased up! She is too busy to take care of it, can it be removed?

Hello

I use what the hi tech lube that the Pellet Stove Master recommends on the motors. TufOil Lubit-8 !
It has the patented Moly PTFE formula

Awwwww...Don, it's nice of you to refer to me that way.

Hey pete isn't the TufOil Lubit-8 the lube you told me about several seasons ago?

Yep....same one. I've been using it for a long time. I was afraid to tell too many people on the forum about it, for fear they'd take credit for "discovering" it.

You are my pellet stove master Pete. Thanks for the recommendation. Great stuff!

I have used anti -sieze in the past but is messy & kinda dries up but the versa grate works well with AGS lube silicone based . The pellets burn with little ash as the grate aerates for a better burn >NO CLUNCKERS . I have heard people the motor for the versa grate is noisy but i think the little fan attached at that motor is what their hearing mines pretty quiet .

Can the motor be removed ? I guess but the may effect the burning quality It probably bound up from lack of lube ?

Interesting do you use the Tub or Tube?
http://www.agscompany.com/lubricants/canadian/205

Forum member "Xena" removed her Versa Grate a couple of years ago AFAIR, and didn't have any issues. Try giving her a shout using the "conversation" feature and get details.

Thanks Imacman
Yes she did have it removed for a couple of years with no adverse affects but this season she got the new motor with the grease fitting and put it back in.
I saw her post in this thread > http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/st-croix-versa-grate.78186/#post-998518

Mines not broken just referring to # 10 reply thanks anyway

Tube format -----------This is a good read on synthetic motor oil not sure if you had read this or not but it`s a wealth of information---- Read # 5 ---------http://www.butkus.org/whitfield_pellet_stove.htm

Sil-Glyde® Lubricating Compound-----------
http://www.agscompany.com/lubricants/automotive I also use their ---- http://www.agscompany.com/automotive/brake-fuel-transmission-lines/poly-armour ---Winter salt sure takes on toll on mine ---Bent many a line

Yes, very good. All the Major Small Motor Manufacturers recommend Oil for their motor lubrication.
I use Tuf Oil Lubit-8. Private Conversation me if you need some.

LUBIT-8 extends the service life of precision bearings. It leaves no oily residue, is compatible with all oils and greases and remains stable from -60° to +500°F. Its remarkable lubricity and protective qualities will last almost indefinitely. Its dependability and convenient applicator make it indispensable in your work place or plant.

Too lazy to play with a disconnect of the power to the blower unit so I have to clean it in the house. Yeah, my air compressor would be optimum too!