Convection blower seems weaker

[briansol]

Maybe its just me.... but it seems like my blower isn't blowing as hard as it used to. The air coming out the stove used to be enough to spin my ceiling fan at 1/4 mph. Now, it doesn't move at all.

Is it just me being used to it? different in colder air densities now compared to fall (note, i just put the fan in this summer, so i don't have last year to compare against)?

The house still is warm, sounds are the same, but standing in front of it just doesn't seem to push that much air as it used to.
Same pellets, freshly cleaned all but the blowers yesterday (because I was noticing the weaker air). I did them at the end of last season and frankly they had all but nothing on them after a full season of burning. I can say the same for the previous 2 years too. It's basically a waste of time every time i do it.

I was thinking that perhaps a gasket could be the cause. Like, punching a tiny hole in a straw and trying to drink from it.

am i off the deep end? have any ideas on what I should/could look for? or is it just me being used to it and wanting more (kinda like horsepower?)

 

[Lousyweather]

could be on its way out....does it spin freely under no load?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

It only takes a fine layer of crud on the convection blower's blades to impact air flow.

If your convection blower has oil ports and it has been over 6 months since it was last oiled it is time for two drops in each oil port.

 

[Mr. Spock]

You mentioned replacing the fan. Was it an OEM replacement?

 

[briansol]

I don't beleive it is a servicable unit. Manual says:

Cleaning the Convection Blower
To clean the convection blower, remove the left side door (see the following page). Disconnect the insert power cord from the electrical outlet. Loosen the two screws (A in Figure 39) securing the blower to the blower duct. Slide the blower toward the outside of the insert - disengaging it from the blower duct. A vacuum can be used to remove any dust accumulation on the blower's blades or inside the blower duct. Caution should be used not to damage the blower's blades during cleaning. Before reinstalling, vacuum out the blower housing and flue passageway leading to the combustion blower To reinstall the blower, slide the blower back into the retaining lip B and retighten screws A.

and not much more about anything dealing with oil.
This weekend, when it's warmer, i'll shut it down and tear apart both blowers to verify they are clean.

 

[CT Pellet]

New It only takes a fine layer of crud on the convection blower's blades to impact air flow.

Especially if you have pets in the house. When it comes to fan blades, cat and dog hair have more kills notched than Ghengis Khan.

 

[briansol]

No pets... just a g/f who sheds everywhere (anyone with a woman can relate to their s/o's hair showing up everywhere... lol)

 

[Mr. Spock]

Yes especially where they blow dry the hair.

Maybe you missed my question but I was curious about you mentioning the replacement blower. Was it replaced with OEM?

 

[briansol]

I've never replaced the blower.... just took it apart, cleaned it, gasket looked fine (its the felt kind) and put it back together.