Help with EF3 Convection Blower.

[ShaneR34]

Hey, folks. Been a while since I've posted here, but I now need a little advice. Pardon me well I set things up...

Last season I forgot to lubricate the convection blower fan during the preseason deep clean. Of course, it seized up at some point. After a little 3 in 1 oil, and manually turning the fan, everything was fine for the rest of the season.

This fall I was far later than usual getting to my cleaning , so I was running it during the day and off at night (or unattended) until I could clean and inspect it. Again, the fan seized up. That surprised me as I didn't think it had been that long since I lubricated it last (and why I didn't worry about it). Again, a little oil and all was good.

A few weeks later, I finally got to the cleaning and decided to add just a couple more drops of oil for good measure.

Fast forward a few more weeks of normal operation....

Now last night I had the fan off for a minute. When I turned it back on there was a squeal and it struggled for a few seconds before it started running normally. I shut the stove down for the night as it was late and I didn't feel like messing with it.

This morning the fan is running fine. I've cycled it off and on several times and there's no issue.

So, am I headed for a fan failure? Should I just keep an eye on it or give in and replace it? It's a bad time of year to spend money (I think they're $200-$300?), so I'd like to get this fan through one more season.

Thanks for any help

 

[johneh]

Sounds like you are on your way to a full blow bearing failure.
That being said the bearings are replace able if you have access
to bearing pullers and are handy . A rebuilt motor is part of my parts stock .
mind you I had to spend money on a new one first so that I have 2
You may have to bite the bullet and by new but look around there are
some good after market blower at a good price That will fit an EF3

 

[ShaneR34]

Thanks, Johneh.

That's another good question...if anyone has a good online source for parts that ships to Canada, please share.

 

[johneh]

This company will ship to Canada .
The blower is 149 US plus shipping
It's (shipping ) to Ontario 28 US
(broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/envirofire-pellet-parts-ef3-fs-c-328_748_330.html)

 

[ShaneR34]

I think you must have been looking at the combustion blower and not the convection. That was $249 or so. With shipping, I'm betting it would be more than I would pay locally. Thanks, though.

Anyway, the fan seemed to run fine all day yesterday, but after cycling it off and on a couple of times late last night I could tell is was not normal. So, I opened the stove and had a look. It was definitely not moving as freely as it was (even after oil just a couple of weeks back), so I shut it down. It's most certainly on it's way to dying.

So, long story short, I'll be calling my supplier today and getting a new one. Was not happy about need the baseboards on last night....coldest night of the year so far up here (-18C). Figures...lol