Broken ceiling fan

"The fan lasted 2 days before failing"

take it back then, get another one

martin

In message , dated Mon, 7 Aug

Yes, the cap is a prime suspect. Take the fan back under guarantee.

I concur with the others - it's broken, take it back.

But, if it didn't even spin after you "helped" it, then it's not the capacitor. We did this experiment in High School Physics last century, and if the windings of an induction motor are intact, it _will_ spin without the cap - it's just that it has to be hand-started, and the rotor has to catch up with the reversals of the magnetic field.

Cheers! Rich

In message , dated Mon, 7 Aug 2006, Rich Grise writes

That worked for your motor but it doesn't necessarily work for all modern motors. No, I don't know why.

It might not work for a high RPM motor. The start circuit has to cut out at something like 25% of operating speed. But I'd expect a ceiling fan to be rather easy to hand start.

I burned out the start cap. in my pressure washer. I could still start it by giving the entire unit a sharp twist about half the time.

Quickly. Before the three day warrantee expires.

These motors are not synchronous, just permanent split capacitor motors. And yes, the phase shifting caps open, rendering the motor a hummer only. Usually cheap ass Chinese capacitors - price point items. No amount of spinning will get this puppy going. Only cure is a trip to the store for an exchange. I see why you want to fix it though - it's a bear to take the damn thing down and rebox it! regards, Tom

bullshit. (most unlikely to be synchronous)

sounds like it.

the capacitor should be fairly cheap to replace, but get one that meats the relevant safety rules.

Bye. Jasen