Avalon Pendleton blower motor blown? [solved!]

[jkranes]

I pulled the fan unit from my Avalon Pendleton to vacuum it out. After replacing it, I plugged it in and turned it on and heard a loud "pop" noise, and the fan has not worked since then. I'm guessing something blew up in the motor, maybe shorted or something? Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any ideas about possible repairs or part replacements that might be less expensive than replacing the entire $400 unit.

Something like this maybe? https://www.fireplaceblowersonline....leton--rainier--olympic-and-more-details.aspx

I'm just not sure exactly what part of the assembly is likely to have failed so don't want to replace something only to find another part was the one that failed.

Thanks!

 

[begreen]

There are aftermarket blowers and motors that may work. Is this the insert with the front-mounted blower? If so, does this have two blower motors and are both not working or just one side? Is there an identifying label on the motor?

 

[begreen]

This kit might be worth checking out. They have several options depending on which Pendelton model this is.

Avalon & Lopi Blower Motor Replacement Bundle (Left + Right)

Lopi & Avalon replacement blower package for front mount blower kits. Includes LEFT & RIGHT side blowers. 100% ball bearing and use metal wheels to prolong service life. Quiet and more powerful than OEM. FREE shipping!

www.fireplaceblowersonline.com

 

[rwhite]

Not that it can't happen but 2 blower motors going out at once is unlikely. If you are comfortable with electricity I would isolate the blowers from each other and as well as isolate any switches or snap disks. Then apply voltage to each separately. Electric motors do go bad but its ways more common for snap disks, switches and capacitors to go. You can also test as you go by verifying voltage in/out of switch, voltage in/out snap disk etc.

 

[jkranes]

Problem solved! Wire from the snap disk to the motor was pinched and cut, presumably when I pushed the fan back in. Stripped, reconnected with a wire nut and tape, and back in business!!

Thanks @rwhite for suggesting that I look more closely at the electrical connections!

 

[Otis B Driftwood]

Problem solved! Wire from the snap disk to the motor was pinched and cut, presumably when I pushed the fan back in. Stripped, reconnected with a wire nut and tape, and back in business!!

Thanks @rwhite for suggesting that I look more closely at the electrical connections!

YEAH, I know this scenario. Did this upon setup.
Those small wires are no match for sharp edges.
Really need to beef up their connectors, they’re
downright dangerous.

This kit might be worth checking out. They have several options depending on which Pendelton model this is.

Avalon & Lopi Blower Motor Replacement Bundle (Left + Right)

Lopi & Avalon replacement blower package for front mount blower kits. Includes LEFT & RIGHT side blowers. 100% ball bearing and use metal wheels to prolong service life. Quiet and more powerful than OEM. FREE shipping!

www.fireplaceblowersonline.com

Thanks for the link. I’ll be looking into these
since me bearings are shot. So are the fans!

( I know, I don’t have any fans. Whaaa! )

 

[Otis B Driftwood]

This kit might be worth checking out. They have several options depending on which Pendelton model this is.

Avalon & Lopi Blower Motor Replacement Bundle (Left + Right)

Lopi & Avalon replacement blower package for front mount blower kits. Includes LEFT & RIGHT side blowers. 100% ball bearing and use metal wheels to prolong service life. Quiet and more powerful than OEM. FREE shipping!

www.fireplaceblowersonline.com

Begreen: Sorry for an oft-repeated question, where’s the best
place to drill an oil port on these without damaging the BBs?
What size bit works best?

Thankee!

 

[begreen]

Begreen: Sorry for an oft-repeated question, where’s the best
place to drill an oil port on these without damaging the BBs?
What size bit works best?

Thankee!

First it must be determined if it is a sleeve bearing motor and not ball bearing. If it is sleeve, then the oil felt collar surrounds the axle shaft after the bearing. This is a judgement call based on the size of the motor, but a guess would about 1/4 to 3/8" out from the axle. The hole size is somewhat arbitrary. 3/32" will suffice.

 

[Otis B Driftwood]

First it must be determined if it is a sleeve bearing motor and not ball bearing. If it is sleeve, then the oil felt collar surrounds the axle shaft after the bearing. This is a judgement call based on the size of the motor, but a guess would about 1/4 to 3/8" out from the axle. The hole size is somewhat arbitrary. 3/32" will suffice.

Ball Bearing.

Thanks!

 

[begreen]

If ball bearing then the bearings most likely are sealed. In that case, the motor must be disassembled and the old bearings removed, then replaced with new bearings.

 

[clancey]

Yea those wires are down right dangerous Otis because I had this lava rock light with wires that "Pop" burned as well and did that wake me up...Glad the wire problem was solved.. old mrs clancey

 

[Otis B Driftwood]

WELL guess wot – these Pendleton fans fit PERFECTLY
in our Rainier squirrel cage and they’re BETTER than OEM.
Metal fan barrels, REPLACEABLE bearings. These feature
the “skate” bearings and will make an easier time of maintenance.

Many thanks to all who contributed across several threads.
The bearing issue, NATURALLY, is yet another of those
“built-in-obsolesence” issues that drive us NUTS.

The Right to Fix in all its shining glory.

Now … I didn’t drill port holes and here’s why: they made it
difficult, AGAIN, to pull them off the shaft. SO, annually, I’m
gonna immerse that end of the shaft, armiture an’ all, into
a well-deserved oil bath for a week. A little more invasive,
but last time I pushed my luck, I earned a problem.

Cheers!