Englander - Change Out Convection Blower

[guidez]

Can I exchange my PU-4C442 Convection Blower for a Fasco A166 instead?

My PU-4C442, which fits in my Englander Pellet Stove (25-PDVC, 55-SHP10), has become very noisy, a kind of spinning-grinding metal noise. I've read here and elsewhere on the internet that the convection blower gets this noise often. I've had the blower changed out once when it was still in warranty, but that is no longer the case and I don't want to pay $130 for a new one.

I do plan on calling up Englander to see if they have a fix for this issue, but in the meanwhile I'm poking at options.

 

[festerw]

I used this one if it's comparable to the one you're looking at.

https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/DAYTON-PSC-Blower-1TDP5

 

[slvrblkk]

Going into my second season with this. Actually just bought it to test. Bolts right up.

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-9492-Sh...qid=1413066757&sr=8-1&keywords=ao+smith+4C442

 

[mithesaint]

Everyone can spend their own hard earned dollars how they please, but given the choice, I try to buy replacement parts directly from ESW. I'm very grateful for the support from the Englander team and Mike especially, so I try to spend my dollars with Englander whenever reasonable. If I can find something for 20 that would cost 100 at ESW, it's one thing. On the other hand, if I'm only saving 20 bucks buying elsewhere, I'll send that money to ESW.

Thanks Mike!

 

[festerw]

In my case the blower was about 1/2 the price (I get discounted pricing from Grainger) of the ESW replacement and available the same day instead of waiting for shipping. It failed in the middle of the week and it's my only source of heat besides electric, I do still buy all of the preseason service parts from them because I agree with you on the service.

 

[guidez]

Everyone can spend their own hard earned dollars how they please, but given the choice, I try to buy replacement parts directly from ESW. I'm very grateful for the support from the Englander team and Mike especially, so I try to spend my dollars with Englander whenever reasonable. If I can find something for 20 that would cost 100 at ESW, it's one thing. On the other hand, if I'm only saving 20 bucks buying elsewhere, I'll send that money to ESW.

Thanks Mike!

You convinced me to buy from ESW again. I bought the new blower... And the "new" fan came in off-center, not able to freely spin, and doesn't even work. I spent 45 minutes on hold, and then was told that ESW wasn't even AWARE that their blowers have the sleeve-grinding issue.

I know the stove I have is cheap. I know that it's the "busy" season, so 45 minute wait time isn't half that horrible for a company willing to keep a local support/tech call center. But dang, add all these things up and it doesn't improve my confidence. This will be the third time I've replaced a blower in my pellet stove; Fourth time if you include the first NEW pellet stove I got from Lowes, wherein the blower didn't work at all (chose to swap at Lowes Vs. waiting for new blower. It was cold, needed heat).

I've gone with a blower I found online for 1/2 the price. I'll post results after it comes in tomorrow.

 

[bill3rail]

You convinced me to buy from ESW again. I bought the new blower... And the "new" fan came in off-center, not able to freely spin, and doesn't even work. I spent 45 minutes on hold, and then was told that ESW wasn't even AWARE that their blowers have the sleeve-grinding issue.

Thanks for the advice!

Bill

 

[mithesaint]

You convinced me to buy from ESW again. I bought the new blower... And the "new" fan came in off-center, not able to freely spin, and doesn't even work. I spent 45 minutes on hold, and then was told that ESW wasn't even AWARE that their blowers have the sleeve-grinding issue.

I know the stove I have is cheap. I know that it's the "busy" season, so 45 minute wait time isn't half that horrible for a company willing to keep a local support/tech call center. But dang, add all these things up and it doesn't improve my confidence. This will be the third time I've replaced a blower in my pellet stove; Fourth time if you include the first NEW pellet stove I got from Lowes, wherein the blower didn't work at all (chose to swap at Lowes Vs. waiting for new blower. It was cold, needed heat).

I've gone with a blower I found online for 1/2 the price. I'll post results after it comes in tomorrow.

Whoopsie. Sorry to hear about your bad experience with ESW. I've had nothing but good luck with them. Hope the new blower works better!

 

[dlehneman]

Going into my second season with this. Actually just bought it to test. Bolts right up.

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-9492-Shaded-Centrifugal-Blower/dp/B007ATNCWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413066757&sr=8-1&keywords=ao smith 4C442

Did you notice any noise improvement with this over the stock unit? Also, it says one speed, but I assume the stove board can still vary the speed?

I'm currently getting a very annoying sound at several of the blower speeds toward the higher end. I haven't needed to use them yet this year since it's not very cold but obviously want the ability to run it harder when I need to.

 

[slvrblkk]

The motor itself is quiet, you really only hear the air being moved.

Yes, the board controls the speed.

This is a sleeve bearing motor so the longevity of it remains to be seen but it does have oil ports on it. I also had issues with the stock motors where the bearing started screaming so at this point I'm not sure that there really is a difference other than price. This really has been working great for me so far.

 

[dlehneman]

Thanks, I think it's worth a try for that price! I'll just keep the other as my backup since it still works.

 

[Jason845845]

The motor itself is quiet, you really only hear the air being moved.

Yes, the board controls the speed.

This is a sleeve bearing motor so the longevity of it remains to be seen but it does have oil ports on it. I also had issues with the stock motors where the bearing started screaming so at this point I'm not sure that there really is a difference other than price. This really has been working great for me so far.

Im going to try this too, my brand new 25=ep motor makes an awful noise at 7-9.

 

[slvrblkk]

Sorry...I just remembered that the combustion blower I bought to test has oil ports in it....the convection does not...sorry about that....senior moment.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

You convinced me to buy from ESW again. I bought the new blower... And the "new" fan came in off-center, not able to freely spin, and doesn't even work. I spent 45 minutes on hold, and then was told that ESW wasn't even AWARE that their blowers have the sleeve-grinding issue.

I know the stove I have is cheap. I know that it's the "busy" season, so 45 minute wait time isn't half that horrible for a company willing to keep a local support/tech call center. But dang, add all these things up and it doesn't improve my confidence. This will be the third time I've replaced a blower in my pellet stove; Fourth time if you include the first NEW pellet stove I got from Lowes, wherein the blower didn't work at all (chose to swap at Lowes Vs. waiting for new blower. It was cold, needed heat).

I've gone with a blower I found online for 1/2 the price. I'll post results after it comes in tomorrow.

did you get through for a replacement? if not PM me a daytime phone number an ill pull the PM Monday morning and give you a call

 

[GuitsBoy]

Going into my second season with this. Actually just bought it to test. Bolts right up.

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-9492-Shaded-Centrifugal-Blower/dp/B007ATNCWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413066757&sr=8-1&keywords=ao smith 4C442

Hey slvrblkk, just wondering how the sleeved motor is running again this year? You PMed me the details about it last year. Still going strong? I was on my third OEM Englander motor (in just over a year) when I decided to make the switch and try your suggestion. So far so good. Thanks again.

 

[slvrblkk]

Hey slvrblkk, just wondering how the sleeved motor is running again this year? You PMed me the details about it last year. Still going strong? I was on my third OEM Englander motor (in just over a year) when I decided to make the switch and try your suggestion. So far so good. Thanks again.

Still going great, zero issues what-so-ever!