Wiktor Wise
Electric fans are a great way to keep cool, but they can sometimes stop working properly. Common issues include broken or seized bearings, poor lubrication, and blockages in the vents. Fixing an electric fan typically involves disassembling the fan, cleaning and lubricating key components, and reassembling the unit. More complex issues may involve soldering wires or replacing the capacitor. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to simply replace the fan, especially if the motor is dead. However, repairing a fan can be a sustainable and cost-saving practice, reducing waste and encouraging conscious consumption.
Characteristics and Values Table for Fixing a Small Electric Fan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fan not turning on | Check multiple outlets to ensure the fan is receiving an electrical signal. |
| Blockages in vents | Disassemble the fan, lubricate the central pin and bearings, and clean out the vents and motor case. |
| Broken coil wires | Solder in a new wire and connect. Put electrical tape around the wires to hold them together and insulate them. |
| Capacitor issues | Check the capacitor with a capacitance meter or the ohms setting on a multimeter. If faulty, replace with a non-polarized capacitor or create your own with two electrolytics. |
| Removing blades | Twist the blades or washer in the center of the fan counterclockwise to remove them. If there is no washer, twist the base of the blades while holding the pin. |
| Disassembling the fan | Remove the fan guard clip, blade cap, fan blade, and rear grill. Unplug the fan and ensure it doesn't turn on while working on it. |
| Reassembling the fan | Reattach the rear grill, fan blade, blade cap, and front grill. Secure the fan guard clip. |
| Motor issues | If the fan makes no noise when turned on and the blades don't turn, the motor may be dead. Consider buying a new fan. |
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What You'll Learn
Disassembling the fan
To disassemble a small electric fan, first unplug the fan and either unhook the blade guard or unscrew the pin. You can do this by pulling the fan's electrical cord out to prevent it from turning on while you work. If there are clips, unhook them and remove the front half of the fan. If there are no hooks, try turning the circular center of the fan counterclockwise.
Next, remove the fan guard clip to take off the front grill. Then, remove the blade cap and the fan blade. To remove the rear grill, you must first remove the guard fixing ring. Before removing the motor cover, ensure the fan is unplugged. As this will be a greasy repair, wear disposable gloves.
Now, remove the fan controller knob and the oscillating knob. You can use a screwdriver to remove the screw and retrieve the oscillating knob. Using the screwdriver, take off the fan cover and then the front cover. Finally, give it a quick clean to remove the dust and reveal the screws.
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Lubricating the central pin and bearings
To lubricate the central pin and bearings of a small electric fan, you will first need to disassemble the fan. This can be done by twisting the blades or washer in the centre of the fan counterclockwise to remove them. If there is plastic blocking the centre of the blades, twist it counterclockwise until it comes loose and slide the blades off. If there is no washer, twist the base of the blades while holding the pin in place to loosen them off the pin.
Once the blades are removed, you will need to access the central pin and bearings. This may involve removing the blade guard, which can be done by sliding the back half of the blade guard off the pin in the centre. You may need to unscrew a few screws to access the back half. With the blade guard removed, you should be able to see the central pin and bearings.
Now it's time to apply the lubricant. You can use a light, filtered oil, such as mineral oil or sewing machine oil, or a multipurpose lubricating grease. Fill the oil well with roughly three-quarters of the chosen lubricant. Do not fill it to the brim, as the centrifugal force when the fan spins will displace the oil and make a mess. Only lubricate fans with sleeve bearings. If your fan has ball bearings, you will need to use grease or thicker SAE40 motor oil.
When applying the lubricant, be careful not to overdo it. A small amount is usually enough to do the trick. You can use a straw to dribble a small amount of liquid directly onto the bearing, or you can try squirting it in or using a small drill bit to create a hole for the lubricant. Once the lubricant is applied, reassemble the fan and test it out.
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Cleaning the vent and motor case
To clean the vent and motor case of a small electric fan, you will first need to disassemble the fan. Unplug the fan and unhook the blade guard or unscrew the pin. You may need to unscrew a few screws to access the back half of the blade guard. If there is plastic blocking the centre of the blades, twist it counterclockwise until it comes loose and slide the blades off.
Once you have removed the blades, you can access the vent and motor case. Use a screwdriver to remove any screws holding the motor case together, and carefully take it apart. Be careful not to damage the wires in the coils, especially where the power comes in from the outside of the motor.
With the motor case open, you can now clean the vent and the motor. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently remove any dust or debris from the vent and motor assembly. Pay close attention to the bearings and ensure they are free of any blockage. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow away any dust or debris from the vent and motor.
If the fan has been well-maintained and cleaned regularly, there may not be a significant build-up of dust or debris. In that case, a simple cleaning with a soft brush or cloth may be sufficient. However, if the fan has not been cleaned in a long time, you may need to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove stubborn dirt or debris. Ensure that you are gentle and do not use too much pressure to avoid damaging the delicate components.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned the vent and motor case, you can reassemble the fan by following the disassembly steps in reverse. Make sure that all screws are tightened securely and that the blades are locked in place correctly. Plug the fan into an outlet and test it at the highest power setting to ensure it is functioning properly.
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Checking the capacitor
To check the capacitor of a small electric fan, follow these steps:
Firstly, identify the capacitor. It is a small black box with two wires coming out of it. Its function is to create a phase difference between the stator voltage and the rotor voltage, creating the torque in the motor.
Next, you will need to check the capacitor with a capacitance meter or the ohms setting on a multimeter. To do this, remove one of the wires. Put a short across the capacitor with a wire or alligator lead for 30 seconds to remove any residual voltage and protect your meter. Set your meter to at least 1K and watch the capacitor slowly charge up.
If the capacitor does not charge, it is faulty and will need to be replaced with a non-polarized capacitor or one that you can make yourself with two electrolytics with the two positive leads connected together. Ensure that the electrolytics are at least 8uF each, as capacitance halves in series.
When reassembling the fan, remember to re-solder any wires that have been removed from the capacitor and to resplice any wires if necessary.
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Reassembling the fan
Firstly, make sure the fan is unplugged from the power source. Now, reinstall the fan blade, followed by the blade cap. Then, place the front grill, ensuring that you fasten the fan guard clip securely. Next, reattach the rear grill, followed by securing the guard fixing ring. Once everything is together, the fan assembly can be mounted on the pedestal.
Now, before reassembling the motor, make sure to clean the dust and residue off the motor to reveal the screws. Re-solder any wires that have been removed from the capacitor and if it was necessary to re-spice any wires, do this now. Put the rotor gently in the coil assembly and connect the two bearing pieces to it with the four screws. Reconnect the pivoting piece to the nylon eccentric with the screw and also do this to the green wire connected to the metal chassis by a screw. Check to see that the rotor spins easily in its bearings.
Finally, plug the AC power cord of the electric fan into the extension wire and check if it is working.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check the fan in multiple outlets. If it still won't turn on, disassemble the fan, lubricate the central pin and bearings, and clean out the vent and motor case. If it still won't turn on, the motor may be dead and you may need to buy a new fan.
First, unplug the fan and either unhook the blade guard or unscrew the pin. Then, remove the fan guard clip to take off the front grill. Next, remove the blade cap and the fan blade. To remove the rear grill, you must first remove the guard fixing ring. Make sure to wear disposable gloves as this process can get greasy.
You can use a multi-purpose lubricating grease from a hardware store.
