Your Troubleshooting Guide
- Check the Cord It sounds simple, but your first step should be to make sure the cord is securely plugged in. ...
- Check Your Circuit Breaker
- Check for Power to Your Outlet
- Check the Fan Fuse
- Replace the Cord
- Clean the Fan
- Grease the Motor
- Call Customer Support
- Choose Your Next Fan Wisely
How do you fix a box fan that stops working?
- The pin is the piece of metal in the center of the fan that the blades and case rotate around.
- The blade guard, or blade casing, refers to the plastic or metal case that keeps people from getting hurt by the blades. ...
- If you see screws holding the case together, unscrew them with a screwdriver to remove the case that way.
How to clean your box fan?
Procedure for Cleaning a Box Fan:
- Unplug the box fan. Unplug the power cord of the box fan that is connected to the power outlet. ...
- Remove Outer Covers. Unscrew the tiny screws that hold the plastic covers. ...
- Clean the Covers. After taking the covers off from the fan body, next you need to clean it. ...
- Clean the blades. ...
- Brush the Motor. ...
- Reassemble the box fan. ...
How to reinforce a ceiling fan box?
- Take the fan down
- Take the drywall down where you want the fan to go. Hopefully there is a board to hang the fan from. ...
- Fasten a new electrical box that can support a fan to an appropriate structural member/board in the ceiling. Add a board or boards if necessary.
- Wire the new box. ...
How to take apart a box fan?
How to Take Apart a Box Fan. Prepare the box fan to be taken apart by turning off the fan and unplugging it from the outlet. Unscrew each screw with the screwdriver. Remove the front plastic screen from the box fan’s body and put it off to the side. Place the box fan on its back.
How do I get my box fan to work again?
Floor Fan Stopped Working? Your Troubleshooting GuideCheck the Cord. It sounds simple, but your first step should be to make sure the cord is securely plugged in. ... Check Your Circuit Breaker. ... Check for Power to Your Outlet. ... Check the Fan Fuse. ... Replace the Cord. ... Clean the Fan. ... Grease the Motor. ... Call Customer Support.More items...•
How do you fix a fan that won't spin?
Over time, the lubricant on the pin wears down as the fan blades rotate. Re-oiling the pin will usually solve this problem. A dried out or sticky pin is one of the most common reasons for blades to stop spinning. If they spin easily and there's no resistance, try turning your fan on and see if the pin spins.
How long will a box fan last?
Box fans can last from 1-2 years if used for 8 hours a day. They can last around 5 years or more if used less frequently.
What can I do with a broken box fan?
0:040:42Parts You Can Salvage From A Broken Box Fan - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you could actually get out of a box fan usable. Parts this one was broken. So I was able toMoreWhat you could actually get out of a box fan usable. Parts this one was broken. So I was able to salvage. Nice little handle here which I could use for later on in one my other projects.
What is the reason of fan is not rotating?
If your ceiling fan stopped working or is not turning on, it could be because it isn't receiving any electricity. This could be because the circuit breaker has tripped or is off. Check your panel to confirm this. If the circuit breaker works fine, it could be a problem with loose wiring and connections.
Why has my fan stopped working?
If the fan and lights don't work, check that you are getting power to your room. You can do this by checking a nearby outlet or seeing if other appliances are on. Step 2: Check the breaker for your room to make sure your ceiling fan is getting power. Reset the breaker and test your fan and ceiling fan lights.
How do you know if a box fan fuse is blown?
Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
Is it OK to leave a box fan on all day?
The great news is that most standard electric fans are safe to leave on all night. There are also some good benefits to doing so if you do. Typical electric fans (like you'll buy at a store, such as box fans, tower fans, and pedestal or tabletop fans) are pretty safe and nearly always very reliable.
How do you test a box fan motor?
1:237:33Old Lasko Box Fan - Electric Motor Insulation Resistance TestingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to put a charge of 500 volts on the cord. And it's going to measure the leakage currentMoreIt's going to put a charge of 500 volts on the cord. And it's going to measure the leakage current going from the cord and the motor circuit is leaking to the frame of the fan. Back to the meter.
How do you clean a box fan motor?
0:271:50How To Clean Your Cheap Box Fan - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen use your vacuum to get any dust clumps inside and for a once-over on the blades. And motor areaMoreThen use your vacuum to get any dust clumps inside and for a once-over on the blades. And motor area. Now wipe everything down with Windex.
Can you oil a box fan?
0:103:27Oil and Run Toastmaster Box Fan - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDesign you have to actually remove the blade in order to oil it. So i had to take the cover off getMoreDesign you have to actually remove the blade in order to oil it. So i had to take the cover off get the blade off and then i can put some oil in there.
What can you do with old fans?
Ideas for Upcycling your Old FanMake a planter out of the motor housing of the fan. Spray paint the motor housing whatever colour you choose. ... Use old ceiling fan blades as wall hangings. ... Create a chalkboard or memo board from old fan blades. ... Use discarded ceiling fan lamp shades as flower planters. ... Make a mirror.
What causes a ceiling fan motor to hum?
A hum in a ceiling fan is usually caused by the vibration of the motor, and the volume of the noise depends on the mount, housing and blades. Many modern fans have parts that mute the hum, but sometimes these parts fail.
How do I make my GPU fan spin?
Using the method mentioned above, you can control your GPU fan's spin continuously by clicking “fan speed” in the top right corner, followed by selecting “manual”. To enable the Fan Settings option, use the percentage bar to level the fan, but that level must also be set much lower. You'll need to click “Apply”.
Are computer fans supposed to run constantly?
Computer fans constantly run during normal use to cool computer components and prevent overheating. Many computers produce operational temperatures in the hardware-damaging range during normal use and require continuously running fans to not only prevent overheating, but perform optimally.
How do I turn my graphics card fan on?
Click and hold the slider control beneath the "Enable Manual Fan Control" option label, and then slide it to the desired power level for the fan: move it to the left to decrease the fan speed if it makes too much noise; slide it to the right if you want to provide better cooling and airflow for the cooling fan.
How to fix fan that is sticking?
Turn the pin on the front of the fan with your hand to see if it rotates. Use your hand to try turning the pin in the middle of the fan. If it’s sticking or resisting, the pin probably just needs lubrication. Over time, the lubricant on the pin wears down as the fan blades rotate. Re-oiling the pin will usually solve this problem.
How to unscrew a fan pin?
With the pin exposed, there may still be 1-2 metal bolts locking the pin around the frame of the fan. Use a wrench to unscrew these pins and loosen them. You don’t need to remove the completely, but you do need to be able to get underneath them to reach all of the pin.
What is the pin on a fan?
If it loosens, unscrew it and set the front of the blade case down. The pin is the piece of metal in the center of the fan that the blades and case rotate around. The blade guard, or blade casing, refers to the plastic or metal case that keeps people from getting hurt by the blades.
How to remove fan blades?
Turn the blades or washer in the center of the fan counterclockwise to remove them. Every fan is different, but the blades are either locked in place with a small washer on the pin or by the case of the pin itself. If there is plastic blocking the center of the blades, twist it counterclockwise until it comes loose and slide the blades off. If there is no washer, twist the base of the blades while holding the pin in place to loosen them off of the pin.
Why does my fan blade stop spinning?
Over time, the lubricant on the pin wears down as the fan blades rotate. Re-oiling the pin will usually solve this problem. A dried out or sticky pin is one of the most common reasons for blades to stop spinning.
What is the latch on the side of a fan?
Depending on the model of your fan, there may be a latch on the side of the pin locking the blades into place. This latch usually slides back and forth to lock or unlock the blades.
Why is my fan not spinning?
Whether the blades aren’t spinning or the fan is making tons of noise, most issues with an electric fan are caused by poor lubrication or blockages in the vents. To solve most problems with an electric fan, disassemble the fan, lubricate the central pin and bearings, and clean out the vent and motor case. Repairing an electric fan can be tough if the problem has anything to do with the motor itself, which may be dead if the fan makes no noise when it’s turned on and the blades don’t turn at all after cleaning and oiling the pin. Since electric fans tend to be inexpensive, it’s usually not worth it to bother trying to repair the motor on your own and you should consider simply buying a new fan.
Step 1: Tools
Just a few tools, though you can use many more for cleaning depending on the gunk level. Screw driver Paper towel Dusting Brush All Purpose Cleaner/degreaser Finger Nail Brush green kitchen scrubbies steel wool
Step 2: Remove Front and Back Grills
These screws are usually very small.
Step 3: Remove Grill and Fit
You may have to unhook the power cord collar and remove the feet. if the feet are missing you will have to dummy a replacement, or just make sure the fan is propped up, like in a window. Vibration at high speeds will make the fan walk and possibly fall.
Step 4: Brush the Motor
Remove all the material surrounding the motor, avoid spraying it with any cleaners. Use a brush to remove the hair and gunk. also wipe the struts.
Step 5: Wash Blades
Wash each blade individually on one side then flip the fan and wash the other. I find that some blades resist degunking and a scrubbie pad is useful to remove the stuck on gunk. If you leave it gunked and only remove the visual material, new stuff will quickly latch on and you will be just as bad off.
Step 6: Clean Fan Grills
This is tedious and you will feel like cutting corners. If you have more than one fan to do, leave the 2nd until the next day. Use a brush for the solid matter. then spray with a degreaser/cleaner and then scrub with a nail brush or other firm bristle brush.
Step 7: Reassemble the Fan
Wipe the whole thing down inside and out. Reattach the grills, the feet and align the power cord collar. Turn it on, if the fan was not old to begin with you will find a world of difference between the speed of the fan blades before and after the cleaning. I do this every season to my own fans and these $20 box fans last a lot longer then the manufacturers want them too..
What happens if a fan is not set up?
If they're not set upright or shut down fairly soon, the motor will indeed overheat and burn out. Another possibility with older fans is that the mechanical shock pushed the motor shaft out of alignment with its bearings. That could also increase drag. Again, if the motor isn't shut down soon enough, it will burn out.
Why does my fan burn out?
Another possibility with older fans is that the mechanical shock pushed the motor shaft out of alignment with its bearings. That could also increase drag. Again, if the motor isn't shut down soon enough, it will burn out.
Should I add more feet to my box fans?
Though I would suggest you start by adding bigger feet to your box fans for better stability. Regardless if you're burning out the motor, tripping the fuses, or breaking things internally, you shouldn't expect a fan to function properly if you keep dumping them over. Fix the root cause and you shouldn't have to worry about it any more.
Does Kudzu fan have a motor?
I think Kudzu has it. Most of these fans have simple and not especially efficient motors. The motors need air flowing over them constantly to stay cool. If the fan is tipped, there's way less air flow, regardless of which side is facing down. If they're not set upright or shut down fairly soon, the motor will indeed overheat and burn out.
Does it matter which way a motor falls over?
Yes, it doesn't matter which way it falls over. As David said the airflow cooling the motor will be blocked either way. And blocking the airflow will also put more load on the motor making it get even hotter. But I doubt that the motor is "burning out" - the thermal fuse is just blowing - that's why it is there - to keep the motor from burning up!
Is a fan a disposable part?
If the fan manufacturer even offers a new motor as a spare part, it's usually cheaper to buy a whole new fan. Thus the entire unit is disposable, like so many other products today.
How to fix a fan that won't work?
If your fan still doesn’t work after you try it in a different outlet and check the fuse, carefully inspect the cord. Is it frayed? Has it been chewed on by a curious pet? Are the prongs bent? Is the cord securely attached to the fan body, or is it loose? If you suspect a problem with the cord, you can replace it fairly easily. Buy a matching cord with the same type of plug and same gauge wire at your local hardware store — bring your fan along to ask for help finding a match if you’re not sure. From there — and with the fan unplugged! — you can remove the cord receptacle cover with a screwdriver or pliers, then remove the cord by untwisting the connecting wires. It can be helpful to snap a photo of the way the cord is attached to the appliance so you can refer to it as you attach the new cord.
How to fix a fan motor that keeps falling out?
1. Check the Cord. It sounds simple, but your first step should be to make sure the cord is securely plugged in. Over time, vibrations from a fan motor can loosen a plug from an older outlet, so check this first. If your plug keeps falling out, you may want to replace the receptacle for a nice, tight fit.
How to tell if a fan is working?
If you’ve tried both of these steps but your fan still won’t work, try plugging your fan into a different outlet. If it works, this is a sign that you have an electrical problem. You can test the flow of power to your outlet by purchasing an inexpensive receptacle tester. If you discover that your outlet has no power even after resetting the circuit breaker, call an electrician for help.
How to check if a fan is plugged in?
Check Your Circuit Breaker. If your cord is plugged in but nothing happens when you turn on your fan, check to see that you have electricity running to the outlet. To do this, open your breaker panel and look to see if the circuit breaker has been tripped.
How to clean a fan that is stuck on dirt?
Sometimes your fan blades can seize up if they are stuck on dirt and debris that builds up in the fan. Use an air compressor or the crevice tool on your vacuum to carefully clean away excess dirt from all parts of your fan. Once you du st off the outside, remove the metal or plastic fan blade cover and clean dust from the blades, paying special attention to the place where the blades connect to the rear bearing and motor. (Make sure your fan is unplugged before you do this — you don’t want it to accidentally turn on and give you a shock or set the blades in motion while your hand is inside!) This may be enough to remove dirt from the moving parts to allow your fan to turn again.
Why do fans have a thermal fuse?
Like the circuit breakers in your house, these fuses are designed to break the electrical connection when too much electricity causes your fan to overheat.
Why use a floor fan?
You can even use a floor or table fan on a low setting to help circulate heat in the winter time — a particularly effective method for making a pellet or wood stove work harder in your home.
