Extractor fan dead?

Have one of these in the (quite large) bathroom:

formatting link
It is/has been used A LOT.

The original (identical one) lasted around 5 years, and this one around

3 years. The first one stopped working one day - making a deep humming noise, and either not turning at all or turning at 1 turn a minute... The replacement one started to present the same symptoms this morning.

I removed the cover, and there is a bit of dust inside which I vacuumed, but nothing else obvious. I can turn the fan by hand and the bearings seem fine.

Is there anything to look for, or is it time for a new one?

Also, assuming a new one is needed, any recommendations please? This one caught my eye:

formatting link
Similar price, but at least it comes with 5 years warranty, rather than 2...

Reply to
JoeJoe
Loading thread data ...

If it has a start/run capacitor somewhere, that could well have failed. Possibly only a low value but will be rated at high voltage and not a electrolytic type.

Reply to
Bob Minchin

When my kitchen fan failed and could only manage to turn in a limping itermittent way, various people suggested one of the windings may have burnt out. It seemed this was not repairable and I got a new one.

I wonder if I too should have had someone check for a faulty capacitor if one was fitted. It was an Expelair GX6.

Reply to
pamela

I always use the Airflow Loovent fans. One of the oldest units did 33 years before failing, the other is still going. It was installed in the downstairs toilet. The replacement fitted in the same space, albeit the mounting holes had been moved.

Reply to
Capitol

Aren't the smaller ones normally squirrel cage?

And if it is capacitor start, am I right in thinking that if you spin the fan with the power on, it should continue running?

Reply to
newshound

Nearly all induction motors large or small are squirrel cage types but all have to be started some how. Small flea power can use a shaded pole which has only two wires and virtually nothing to go wrong other than bearings or open circuit coil Permanent capacitor types could appear in a fan, don't have much stating torque but bit better power once running than shaded pole There will have three wires to the motor (or four if it is reversible- unlikely with a fan)

You are right that most single phase induction motors with starting failures will run in either direction once manually spun in that direction. This usually indicates open circuit capacitor or starter winding and is a good test to perform if you keep your fingers out of harms way. Winding a string round the shaft with the power off and switch on after a sharp pull on the string is one way to do this test.

Reply to
Bob Minchin

I meant shaded pole of course, minor brain fade.

I figured the "fingers" test was probably safe enough with a bathroom fan, I wouldn't have suggested it for a waste disposer or macerator!

:-)

Reply to
newshound

It would fit the failure mode, although you often find fans use shaded pole motors that don't require caps at all.

Reply to
John Rumm

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.