Fireplace Xtrordinair 36 Elite Blower Replacement

[FPX_USER]

I found an aftermarket replacement blower which works on the FPX Elite 36. The FPX part number for the blower is 98500780, but it was hard to find that part and was quite expensive. I was able to find an equivalent blower, it's a Dayton 1TDR7. Dimensions are identical for the mounting screws and opening. I took the metal baffle/flap off the old blower and installed it on the new one. Photo below is the Dayton blower installed in the original housing. It's a pretty easy DIY job.

 

[webby3650]

Nice work!
Did you make certain to push the damper flap into the opening before mounting the blower? It’s very easy to trap the flap on this blower.

 

[begreen]

I hate it when my flap gets trapped.

 

[Razor_Clem]

Howdy!
A search for FPX part number 98500780 brought me here.
I suspect that the capacitor is going bad on this blower motor as the motor runs fine but the trouble begins when the motor starts cycling during the cool down period. Symptoms are a brief hum/surge sound when the motor kicks on and very unsteady running until the firebox is up to temp again. Interesting thing is that a GFI trips occasionally when the hum/surge sound is going on yet there is still electricity being delivered to the motor.

The motor is apparently remotely mounted in the crawl space (I’ve yet to go exploring).

My question is:
Would you replace the entire unit or just try the capacitor route first? If this was mounted in a more accessible location, I’d be inclined to just try the capacitor first.

Thanks!
clem

 

[icestationzebra]

i'm curious on the lifespan of the blower on the 36 Elite? I am on my 10th season of burning about 4-5 cords per year. I actually bought a new blower (OEM) a few years ago just to keep in the closet for when it's finally needed. I'm not going to install it until my original blower shlts the bed. How long can I expect it to last?

 

[stealthrabbit]

i'm curious on the lifespan of the blower on the 36 Elite?

I'm on season #33 running 24x7 for 4+ months / yr (~5-7cords)
Blower just started tweeting on low speed.
Dissassembled the fan and found the instructions to oil every 6 months... whoops, missed that PM about 66x.

Thanks much to FPX_USER for the Dayton PN. That will save me $150, if I ever need a replacement Fan.
I've had to tweak the adjustment pot (screw) on the variable switch to get the fan to run slower (quieter).

I made up a (3) small muffin 12Vdc fan duct blower for the many days without power, when I prefer heat.
It just mounts to the faceplate of the Xtrodinare (hangs on upper grill) and circulates air through the Catalytic burner = heated output air.
I also have a switched 120v AC line that I can run the normal intake fireplace fan using my spare winter semi-truck batteries via an inverter. That battery only lasts a couple days, sometimes I need heat without power for a week, until power company can make it up the hill, near our home. (Quite frequently have freezing rain and 80+ mph winds for a week or two at a time.)

 

[Whitenuckler]

i'm curious on the lifespan of the blower on the 36 Elite?

I'm on season #33 running 24x7 for 4+ months / yr (~5-7cords)
Blower just started tweeting on low speed.
Dissassembled the fan and found the instructions to oil every 6 months... whoops, missed that PM about 66x.

Thanks much to FPX_USER for the Dayton PN. That will save me $150, if I ever need a replacement Fan.
I've had to tweak the adjustment pot (screw) on the variable switch to get the fan to run slower (quieter).

I made up a (3) small muffin 12Vdc fan duct blower for the many days without power, when I prefer heat.
It just mounts to the faceplate of the Xtrodinare (hangs on upper grill) and circulates air through the Catalytic burner = heated output air.
I also have a switched 120v AC line that I can run the normal intake fireplace fan using my spare winter semi-truck batteries via an inverter. That battery only lasts a couple days, sometimes I need heat without power for a week, until power company can make it up the hill, near our home. (Quite frequently have freezing rain and 80+ mph winds for a week or two at a time.)

You could run 12V all the time with a battery charger hooked up. Then when you lose power get a small generator running to get the battery charger running again. If you get a 30amp charger it will charge up fast and then you will be good till the next day.
I actually run my entire pellet stove with an inverter hooked up to a car battery which is hooked up to a charger.
It is good that you have a 12V only way too in case the your inverter fails. A true sine wave inverter is best for motors.
I used the Vevor 30A

VEVOR Smart Battery Charger, 35-Amp, Lithium LiFePO4 Lead-Acid (AGM / Gel / SLA) Car Battery Charger with LCD Display, Trickle Charger Maintainer Desulfator for Boat Motorcycle Lawn Mower Deep Cycle | VEVOR CA

VEVOR Smart Battery Charger with 35-Amp power, 4 modes, LCD display, and comprehensive protection charges and maintains all your batteries efficiently.

www.vevor.ca

 

[icestationzebra]

Now in my 11th season of heavy use..... my new spare blower is still sitting in unused in the closet, original fan is still blowing fine.... but my on/off switch did chit the bed and did need to be replaced.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Now in my 11th season of heavy use..... my new spare blower is still sitting in unused in the closet, original fan is still blowing fine.... but my on/off switch did chit the bed and did need to be replaced.

Could last a "lifetime' or the lifetime of sealed ball bearings

 

[begreen]

Regular maintenance (cleaning and lubrication) will extend the life considerably.