Replacement AC fan motor very weak.
Short version: I just replaced a failed AC fan motor. Now the fan actually works BUT it runs at around 20% of the previous speed and blows air very weekly. Also, when I set the fan to auto instead of ...
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Thanks for the quick replies. To answer the questions.
- The wall thermostat is a digital Dometic 3 button (+, -, mode/on/off).
- Both the old and the new motors had identical wiring. The exact same number, colors and connector type for each wire (the brown and white that go to the capacitor are a little shorter and have slide on connectors). I'm sure I connected the wiring the same way. I took pictures and was meticulous.
- I mentioned there's a very small chance I put the condenser fan on backwards but I'm completely certain the squirrel cage fan that actually circulates the air for the camper is on the correct way (it stayed inside the narrow housing and I just slid the old shaft out and the new one in.)
- the old motor almost never started but after it started it would run strong for a while then start squeeling louder and louder until it gradually slowed to a stop and would just hum.
-the new motor starts right up every time in hi, low AND auto (I was mistaken in my original post, auto mode works) but it runs much slower and it doesnt put out anywhere near as much air. It's a huge difference. It probably blowing 1/5 as hard or possibly less. The fan is much quieter too and I can see the condenser fan spinning slowly so I think it's spinning slower and not just spinning the wrong way.
How unlikely is it that this thing was already bad? It definitely looked new.
As for DIYing it. We're actually camping this weekend as I write this so taking it to a service center for it to sit for three weeks wasn't an option. As of now, it's almost keeping it livable but if it was working correctly it'll make my little camper an icebox in about an hour.
Thanks again,
-Dave
- The wall thermostat is a digital Dometic 3 button (+, -, mode/on/off).
- Both the old and the new motors had identical wiring. The exact same number, colors and connector type for each wire (the brown and white that go to the capacitor are a little shorter and have slide on connectors). I'm sure I connected the wiring the same way. I took pictures and was meticulous.
- I mentioned there's a very small chance I put the condenser fan on backwards but I'm completely certain the squirrel cage fan that actually circulates the air for the camper is on the correct way (it stayed inside the narrow housing and I just slid the old shaft out and the new one in.)
- the old motor almost never started but after it started it would run strong for a while then start squeeling louder and louder until it gradually slowed to a stop and would just hum.
-the new motor starts right up every time in hi, low AND auto (I was mistaken in my original post, auto mode works) but it runs much slower and it doesnt put out anywhere near as much air. It's a huge difference. It probably blowing 1/5 as hard or possibly less. The fan is much quieter too and I can see the condenser fan spinning slowly so I think it's spinning slower and not just spinning the wrong way.
How unlikely is it that this thing was already bad? It definitely looked new.
As for DIYing it. We're actually camping this weekend as I write this so taking it to a service center for it to sit for three weeks wasn't an option. As of now, it's almost keeping it livable but if it was working correctly it'll make my little camper an icebox in about an hour.
Thanks again,
-Dave
