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Topic: Fantastic Fan pancake motor issues... (Read 105 times) previous topic - next topic
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Fantastic Fan pancake motor issues...
FFs come with one of two motor styles - either a conventional cylinder style, or a flat, hermetically sealed pancake model. The portable EasyBreeze also has the latter, as does our bath exhaust-only FF. I have noticed for awhile that the bath fan had developed a rhythmic squeak as well as a louder motor hum than the lounge FF, which uses the cylindrical motor. I decided to take the pancake motor apart to see what was up. The top and bottom halves are 'staked' together in three spots, which I drilled out, and then are held together only with a sealant and powerful magnetic pull. Pulling them apart, (I took no pics) I found a ring magnet, a brush assembly, and a disk rotor apparently of pressed graphite with embedded windings. A small portion of the rim of the disk had broken off and disintegrated, so graphite pieces and powder were everywhere. The rotor shaft had a non-sealed pressed-on ball bearing with a plastic seat washer, and the output end had a sealed one with another plastic seat washer. I was able to blow out all the graphite residue, clean up the commutator with some emery paper using a drill press, add a small amount of light lube to the bearings, then re-assemble. I added a touch of superglue on the flange perimeter, but the motor attachment screws keep the motor halves together as well.

Anyway the squeak is gone, and the hum has disappeared as the brushes have seated.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit