THSCC Forums

I'm exposing my electrical ignorance.

We have a three speed electric floor fan that started slowing down. It now even stops completely at times. Sometimes when switched on it will take severla seconds for the motor to turn.

The motor seems quiet and emits no deathly odor.

I thought it may be a problem with the switch so I took it apart. The switch seems okay so I was wondering if it could be this mystery component labeled: CBB61 (with some electrical gibberish 2.5uF+/-5% 250vac 50/60Hz) which google id's as a capacitor. Its wired to the motor. I don't really understand it. There are five wires to the motor: 3 from the switch (the three speeds) and the two that run to the capacitor.

I know a capacitor stores energy, but I would not know what a bad one would cause the fan to do.

Matthew, the capacitor is there to start the motor. The common symptom of the bad cap is that the motor hums when you turn it on, and if you spin the blade with your finger it will run normally. It doesn't sound like thats whats happening. Almost sounds like its binding up. does the blade spin freely when it stops?

It spins somewhat. I'm guessing the resistance that is there is from the motor. But yes I hear the motor humming when switched on. Looks like its a cheap enough part to give it a swap.

Anyone know a good electrical supply place in Raleigh?

Before you buy any parts try getting to the bearings and putting some oil on them. The motor should offer almost NO resistance when spun by hand. It appears you have a bearing problem. oil will fix it. Thats free.

Well maybe not quite free. There's a special kind of oil that you should use for electric motors. I've heard it called "high speed" oil or electric motor oil, and I guess it lubricates better over time since the few drops you put on the bearings has to make due for a long time. I might guess a good hardware store would have the stuff, and I don't think it's especially expensive. It's just not motor oil or 3-in-1.

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You might want to pull the blade off the shaft and see if there is a bunch of pet hair and lint wound up in there. Then lube it. Triflow will work well.

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Pet hair, now that is a definite possibility I did not think of. I'll start there. Thanks.

The starting capacitor gives the motor a high voltage "kick" start, a bad starting capacitor will often looked "cooked" and/or give a burnt odor. As Bernie says if giving the fan a manual spin gets it running then replace the capacitor.
May be just time to buy a new fan...

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