Ceiling fan: Fantasia Viper

[TNC]

Just wondering whether anyone has experience of ceiling fans?  I inherited mine when I
moved house three years ago but I suspect its nearer 15 years old.

After the usual winter lay-off, it's always a bit sluggish, but this year it's really
out of sorts.  It has three settings - Low brought some quietish buzzy-hum but no movement.
Medium a slightly louder noise and with a push a modest rotation approx. 14/minute and with
the High setting a slightly louder noise but not much more power than Medium.

After 20 so minutes it still at the same rotational speed but it develops an electrical "grunt"
through half the rotation!

The user manual states that the bearings are sealed and no lubrication is needed....not sure
that's the case when the machine is that old!

Grateful for any thoughts/observations...

Trevor.

[Murphyv310]

I'd open it up Trevor.
No harm in cleaning it and trying to get some light oil to seep into the bearings. I've a pedestal fan that had so called sealed bearings and soaking them in hot thin engine oil (0W-30) every few years works a treat. It does the same as your ceiling fan.

[peter scott]

Hi Trevor,

If the problem is not due to mechanical stiffness then other possible reasons might be insulation breakdown in the windings, high resistance switch or connector contacts, (loss of magnetism if permanent magnets are used, unlikely)

Peter

[Murphyv310]

Yes of course it could be other issues. I just thought that as it's sluggish after each winter it would be purely mechanical.

[TNC]

Thanks both for your comments...I have sent an enquiry to
the Fantasia Distribution Centre so will await their response....but
I won't be surprised if I end up getting stuck in with the 3 In 1!!

Trevor.