Blower Life ?

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Thu. Dec. 29, 2011 9:59 pm

Pretty sure that LL uses Fasco blowers for a lot of years. Was wondering how long the convection and combustion motors last...we pretty much run these for 24/7 for at least something like ~3.5 months each year...thats ~2520 hrs per year.

With that said does anyone know the manufacturer's average motor life ? or any other actual group experience that says none of these failure before X years?

Guess we have to also consider if there was proper lubrication as well....I try to lube em' before the season and mid season...

Appreciate any knowledge..

Ug

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Thu. Dec. 29, 2011 10:35 pm

Well, I thought you had just met my ex-girlfriend after seeing that title .....

Sorry I can't help you with that .... or your motor issues.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Fri. Dec. 30, 2011 7:34 am

Tough question, but if you do the proper maintenance on them, they should a while.

My Keystoker is 6 years old and boths blowers work fine (combustion and convection).

My Hyfire is mid 90's and has the original convection blowers, I think I replace 1 combustion blower since I have it in the last 3-4 years. I think the fines were falling off the back part of the stoker and getting into the blower, I have a cover over it now.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Fri. Dec. 30, 2011 8:12 am

Smitty, I know where she is.....WOW!!! Still crazy after all these years.....

The motors work until they die......how long do people live? IT all depends upon the environment they live in is. Dusty and nasty sure doesn't help.
I ALWAYS recommend a spare on hand, or at least the emergency numbers to where you can get one.
Remember this: It will cost twice as much to wait, stress you out and drive you crazy because you failed to plan ahead.
Not even two hundred bucks to have a pair of new ones in your 'sock drawer'.
What is a service call worth, or worse yet, do you REALLY want to explain to the wife, kids and pets that you weren't smart enough to look out for them??????????

EarthWindandFire · Post by **EarthWindandFire** » Fri. Dec. 30, 2011 9:40 am

I have always been conscientious about product longevity and for having a back-up for worst case scenarios.

Actually, I would love to have a Hyfire just because it has DUAL stokers and if one fails, the other will still function.

A few weeks ago Adam (Murdoc1) changed out his sleeve bearing Fasco motors with Dayton, ball bearing motors which run quieter and have a full load amp rating as much as half that of sleeve bearing units of the same size.

MURDOC1 · Post by **MURDOC1** » Fri. Dec. 30, 2011 10:21 am

EarthWindandFire wrote:I have always been conscientious about product longevity and for having a back-up for worst case scenarios.

Actually, I would love to have a Hyfire just because it has DUAL stokers and if one fails, the other will still function.

A few weeks ago Adam (Murdoc1) changed out his sleeve bearing Fasco motors with Dayton, ball bearing motors which run quieter and have a full load amp rating as much as half that of sleeve bearing units of the same size.

Yup, you got it Mark!!! Reasons are two-fold, original Fasco units are only a little over 2 years old, wanted to have spares for all, so purchased ball bearing units, cleaned, oiled and boxed up the Fasco's all ready for service if ever needed, or to put in place to remove the new Dayton units for a real good cleaning without shutting down... Also installed a new feeder gear motor that I got under warranty prior to firing up this season and have a brand new one in the box on the shelf ready to go if ever needed... I too like having my bases covered and have not a concern in the world if one of them were to fail on me right now, can sit back, relax and enjoy...

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Fri. Dec. 30, 2011 8:38 pm

MURDOC1 wrote:
EarthWindandFire wrote:I have always been conscientious about product longevity and for having a back-up for worst case scenarios.

Actually, I would love to have a Hyfire just because it has DUAL stokers and if one fails, the other will still function.

A few weeks ago Adam (Murdoc1) changed out his sleeve bearing Fasco motors with Dayton, ball bearing motors which run quieter and have a full load amp rating as much as half that of sleeve bearing units of the same size.
Yup, you got it Mark!!! Reasons are two-fold, original Fasco units are only a little over 2 years old, wanted to have spares for all, so purchased ball bearing units, cleaned, oiled and boxed up the Fasco's all ready for service if ever needed, or to put in place to remove the new Dayton units for a real good cleaning without shutting down... Also installed a new feeder gear motor that I got under warranty prior to firing up this season and have a brand new one in the box on the shelf ready to go if ever needed... I too like having my bases covered and have not a concern in the world if one of them were to fail on me right now, can sit back, relax and enjoy...

The fasco motors have oil holes that a lot of people don't know about . They should be oiled at least every spring using 5w or 5/20 oil. The biggest problem I have is where the Dayton motors are made. They do seem to work well, I just hate the thought of supporting China's economy any more than I have to. Dave

loxety · Post by **loxety** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 11:46 pm

Please describe the place where the lube goes

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 9:07 am

loxety wrote:Please describe the place where the lube goes

Look to the rear section of the motor housing, you should find 2 small openings. At first glance they just seem to be part of the stamping method when making the sheet metal cover but are in fact the oil holes.

loxety · Post by **loxety** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 11:06 am

Thank you. I placed some mobile 1 5w30 in there, much quieter now!

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 11:18 am

They usually seize up not long after they get noisy, so you caught that one in the nick of time!

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 11:34 am

It is best to oil them at the end of the season as well with a mineral based oil, synthetics are not great to prevent corrosion. Especially if they will be in a humid environment.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 12:14 pm

I know Amsoil is supposed to have corrosion inhibitors in their motorcycle, small engine, and Z-Rod oils. I used the bike oil the last time I oiled the Harman fan. On the stoker I think I used the thinner 5w-30 Signature Series, which I don't think has corrosion inhibitors, as it's a 25k mile oil ... which means it's designed to be constantly moving.

Either way, I usually bring my fans upstairs in the spring. You guys all know how bad my basement gets ...

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 12:21 pm

SMITTY wrote:I know Amsoil is supposed to have corrosion inhibitors in their motorcycle, small engine, and Z-Rod oils. I used the bike oil the last time I oiled the Harman fan. On the stoker I think I used the thinner 5w-30 Signature Series, which I don't think has corrosion inhibitors, as it's a 25k mile oil ... which means it's designed to be constantly moving.

Either way, I usually bring my fans upstairs in the spring. You guys all know how bad my basement gets ...

You could stock fish in the spring.

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Jan. 05, 2014 12:45 pm

Smit's....The Frog tells the Story The Best ! Anyway,leave it took Ug to ask a serious question,only to have it slide into the Gorge of Coal Perversions and the Like !

You've all answered this one ! If I put you into an environment with fines,fly ash, humidity as well as some heat,then I don't check on you for six months or better,well,I think I'd find you've ground yourself to Death. Construction Qualities and Maintenance Abilities have drastically changed. What was Bullet-Proof and Serviceable has really become slim to get ahold of. To my Pea Brain,the idea of having spares on the shelf has become a smart thing to plan for. Kinda' nice to have at 0100hrs on a Sunday Morning when it's -22* outside with a stiff wind. As usual,it only takes money and a quality source to buy from. In the long run,I think you'll be warmer with much more Peace Of Mind to save the Dineros burning 'Da Black Rocks !