Help! Squirell cage fan shut off!

[illchemist]

I touched it and it was very hot. I run these 24/7 when lights are on or off. I turned off the HPS and I'm going to let it cool. Should I run it only when the lights turn on? I thought these were rated for constant use.

thanks in advance

 

[Boxy Brown]

your supposed to oil the motor every couple months on those type of fans which is why there's a plastic tube sticking out about 1/8" on the motor, go get some turbine oil and oil up that motor, don't use any other type of oil other than turbine oil.

 

[illchemist]

It's a Hydrofarm brand fan and I don't see a tube coming out of it.

 

[Boxy Brown]

It's a Hydrofarm brand fan and I don't see a tube coming out of it.

heres a pic of an old hydrofarm fan

those little things sticking out are tubes that you use to oil the motor, they go directly to the fans shaft

 

[illchemist]

I feel like such an idiot. They were hidden in the back. I totally started panicking. Will I be able to save my fan or will I need to buy a new one?

Thank you so much for your help...

 

[Boxy Brown]

you should be able to save it, when I was using mine I had to oil it every other month or it would seize up and stop working.

 

[Guayaki]

hey Boxy thanks for helping him out. I have a friend who uses this style of fan and I know he doesnt oil it so I am going to let him know for sure next time I see him. How do you know you put enough oil in it? Will it come out of the plastic tubes when its full?

 

[Boxy Brown]

hey Boxy thanks for helping him out. I have a friend who uses this style of fan and I know he doesnt oil it so I am going to let him know for sure next time I see him. How do you know you put enough oil in it? Will it come out of the plastic tubes when its full?

you only need a few milliliters of oil, and if you put too much it will just drip out of the motor casing through the cooling holes, also when oiling the motor its best to have the fan on so that the shaft is spinning which allows the oil to be distributed more evenly.

 

[Guayaki]

thanks man you're the best!

 

[FreezerBoy]

What shut off the fan? You? Did the fan shut itself off? If the fan did it, you may want to take it apart and clean out the gunk that caused the lockup.

 

[Haps]

I bet that squirell can't see to run in the dark.
Hehap

 

[illchemist]

Actually, I heard some rattling inside but after letting the fan cool for a litttle while, I turned it back on and it worked like a charm. I guess these things have temp sensors in them? Is it wise to dismantle this thing?

Also, wherte the heck do I find turbine oil and what kind of applicator can get into those tiny holes?

thanks again

 

[Boxy Brown]

Actually, I heard some rattling inside but after letting the fan cool for a litttle while, I turned it back on and it worked like a charm. I guess these things have temp sensors in them? Is it wise to dismantle this thing?

Also, wherte the heck do I find turbine oil and what kind of applicator can get into those tiny holes?

thanks again

It will work if you let it cool off but once it heats up again from the metal to metal friction it will seize up (I don't think there's a temp sensor), and I wouldn't recommend taking it apart being that the motor casing is sealed shut and cant be opened, also you can find turbine oil at HVAC stores and online. Turbine Oil



Heres what my bottle of oil looks like

If you cant find one like that then you could use an eye dropper or a syringe.