Fired the stove up for the first time in months last night. Gave it a good cleaning first, so it was ready to go. I noticed last season that the blower(the one that blows the air int the room) would make some noise when it initially came on after the stove had been off. It's hard to describe the noise. Almost like a chirp/grind/squeak. It's not that loud and goes away after time; say 10 minutes or so. This is the third season with the stove. Is there a way to lube the bearings or the motor on the blower?
Your blower should be a tangential blower,possibly high quality,probably german.The motor may have bushings or bearings.However,at other end of the long wheel/cage,is a rubber mounted bushing or bearing.If it is a bushing,it should be lubed every year,2 times under heavy use.You need to remove unit and inspect.
Skier76 Does it look like one of these? If so, 3 in 1 oil Blue Can (or reg. in a pinch)....2-3 drops in each port. They may be on the underside, which means removing the blower & motor to oil. You could also take it apart & rotate motor so ports are on top for easy service in the future. They should get lubed every 1 1/2 months or so under constant use.
imacman, Looks like this: Regency GC60 Convection Blower 80MM - GC60-037 It's the convection blower. I don't have a pic of my stove right now, but I know it looks just like the one in the link. Thanks for those pics! I'll be sure to lube the exhaust blower motor now that I have the oil points that you posted.
Dang, That's an expensive blower!! Motor looks to be sealed, But I imagine you can get lube into the support bushing on the far end?? Hopefully it has an oil port on the motor.
That's what I'm hoping. Maybe that cap on the other side comes off. I'll have to look. Very pricey! That was one of the lower prices. Another site was $400+
A great majority of the motors used for the exhaust are ball bearing types, and don't call for any lubing. That being said, many of us try to still "sneak" some oil around & behind the seals anyway.
As I said,problem is probably the end bushing,it will come out,will look similar to this--http://www.ebay.com/itm/Austroflamm-Convection-Fan-Bushing-104552-/271735084412?hash=item3f44ac557c:g:sb8AAOSw1vlUrvo7
Great input guys! Thanks a bunch. A $20 bushing is a lot better than a whole new fan. I hope to pull the stove out this weekend to investigate. If it is the bushing, can that be lubricated or will that just attract dust?
IMO, I'd try giving it a few (2-3) drops of light oil like 3 in 1....can't really hurt, and may solve your problem. If the noise stops, or gets less, at least you'll know that's the problem. If it solves the problem, I'd keep lubing it every 1 1/2 months or so, or if the noise returns. When the oil stops working, then spring for the bushing.
Sounds like a good plan! I didn't get a chance to pull the stove this weekend. And probably won't run it this week. 80's predicted. 80's! Seriously? Ugh.
I had the stove out last night...but was too busy to check here. It looks like it's the end bushing after all. I spun the fan by hand and heard it breifly. I'll see if I can get a little 3-1 oil on there. It's pretty far down where the bracket mounts. May have to use some plastic tubing or a straw to reach it.
That may be the case. Thankfully, the noise only happens briefly when the fan starts up. Running, you don't hear anything. It's possible that I'm just over analyzing it.....
