Cleaning fans

[Gingerbeard]

I've decided to see if I can clean one of my Hurricane clip on fans before buying a new one.
I can't tell if the rotor or one of the axle bearings is causing the fan to run weak and slow down and come to a pretty fast stop when turned off. The rotor and bearings are clean as far as I can tell.
Could the bearings be shot? Maybe a drop of oil? Maybe on the rotor, as well?

[Going2fast]

What bearings? Probably just a Teflon washer. For the price of them I would just replace it. If the motors dying could be a fire hazard.

[Gingerbeard]

Sort of. I just took another look. Neither Teflon nor bearings. The axle fits in little metal sleeves that are held in place with some sort of lock washer.
I thought about the fire hazard. Still weighing the spending of $15-$20 vs. burning down my apartment complex. Maybe the great dab god will help me out.

Oh, dab god...

[bdeegan]

I agree with G2f, probably just a washer and likely not very serviceable. If I wanted to put grease on something like that I would suggest dielectric grease though, as it has a high flash point. I worry more about circulating fans catching fire than I do a (good)grow light.

Happy growing!
bd

[Farmbuck]

You need to move up North mi amigo @Gingerbeard cuz right now you wont need a fan.

[Ckbrew]

Those metal sleeves are called friction bearings. If you can get it apart with out destroying it, clean the bearings and shaft with acetone or brake parts cleaner. Then add a small amount of a light weight high temp lube and reassemble. Something like a light gun oil. At that, I would only give it a 40% chance of working again. They get worn out and scored and are just not make to last.

[Gingerbeard]

If I read between the lines, y'all are talking me out of taking the risk of burning down my apartment for a measly $20.
If'n the good lord ain't gon' gimme a answer, I'll post on the GWE Forum. Ooh... I like that one!

[Gingerbeard]

If it gets any colder, I'm going to chip a nipple! Daggum 63° after having my doors open! 66° right now. I have my ski suit on, FB
Besides. Some growers use fans to help circulate air around the plants and help strengthen stems. It also help keep bugs away from your soil. You should do a little research on GWE. Check it out, non?

[Ckbrew]

Yeah, you just about said it. Cheap junk meant to be thrown away. I bought a space heater last fall to replace one that had a seized fan, and I tried in vain to revive it. Just the simple steel box with a heating coil element and a blower fan. In the destructions that I never read but was searching for a manufacturer contact info because the new one did not pass my safety inspection, and saw a notation at the end that said, "warm reminder- unit should be discontinued from service 3 years after first use for safety efficiency." I returned it.

[Gingerbeard]

That's a hell of a thing to find out Ckbrew . I wonder how many space heater fires happen because of old units. I was thinking about getting one for my apartment as I am not a fan of heating or air conditioning. Your guidance has settled my hash. No heater.
Imagine how a cop feels when he finds out the lucky bullet proof vest he's had for 6 years has a 5-year effective life span.

[Ckbrew]

The previous one was about 11 years old. It was solid with a tip over feature that worked. Had it on the boat for use at the slip when I had it. The new one was junk. The main reason it failed inspection was after 10 minutes of operation the hot side leg of the plug was hot enough to soften the plastic. The tip over switch did not work, cheap plastic switches, on and on.

[Gingerbeard]

There was a thread about wise and unwise purchases Ckbrew . My best buys have been the $1.99 generic, cardboard with metal top and bottom, salt and pepper shakers you buy in pairs. I've had them for 8-1/2 years. Same-same the $.89 pair of store brand kitchen shears. Simple. Few moving parts. No electric.
Sometimes, you get what you pay for. But not always.
I don't know why I'm trying to relate this story to your fan, Ckb.

[OldManGrower]

I had to small 50 watt COB grow lights. The fan in one died and the chip died in the other. I spent an afternoon trying to make one working light out of two. Should have been easy but I wound up buying a new 200 watt light. Cheap junk cannot be serviced but it's fun to try.