Any HVAC folks around here?

halo71

Got a question. The blower motor went out on my AC. Not the compressor motor but the squirrel cage motor. I found a "free" motor that was about the same size, or so I thought, to mine. Turns out its a 1/4 hp motor. Pulled my old one out this morning and its a .90 hp. I thought what the hell, let's try the 1/4 hp. The 1/4 hp works but seemed like it got pretty hot in a short amount of time that I tested it. A new .90 hp motor is around $200 which I don't have.

Anyone know of any places I can get one cheaper? I am pretty sure that running this smaller motor is not a good thing. I am not beyond running a used motor either at this point.

zane77

Sounds like the fan is too big of a load for that new motor, you could still run it and hope it doesn't take something else out but i don't think I would try that

mrbigbluelight

Halo, some more specs on that motor please:

HP : ?
Phase:single, two ?
Voltage rating:115v, 208/230 ?
Amp Rating: x amps at x volts, xx amps at xx volts
RPM: 1750, etc.

AND, most importantly, FRAME NUMBER (something like 2JZEK, etc).

You are talking about the fan motor on the outside condensing unit ? Or are you referring to the motor for the blower inside the furnace/ac evaporator inside the house.

Some motors are pretty generic and can be bought at several places (Grainger, Lowes, Home Depot, etc). Others are designed to be available only from the manufacturer (Carrier, Trane, etc). They do that by tweaking the motor frame so that only their stuff will work so providing the motor frame number is very helpful.

halo71

The unit is a Lennox
The replacement motor number is 46K14 -- R47476-001

Info for motor is:
.90HP BLOWER MOTOR 1100 RPM 208/230 VOLT 60 HERTZ 1 PHASE

This unit is an all in one located outside the house. This is the blower motor, not the condensor motor.

Not sure about a frame number. The motor does sit inside a frame that has 4 "legs" that attach to the cage frame.

I can take some pics if needed.

Thanks!

rpf65

You could probably use a 1 HP,, 1075 RPM, 208/230 Volt, 3-speed motor. If there are mounting brackets welded to the side, I always use the manufacturers motor. If not I'll use a Mars, GE, or any other generic motor. Guessing you have a 5 ton Heat Pump, and .90 HP is closer to 1 HP than 1/4HP (.90 = 9/10 unless my math is off).

Just make sure the current rating isn't too far above the manufacturers specs. Within 10% should be fine. A generic 1 HP motor will run a little less than $100 wholesale. Online probably $125 or so.

Good luck

rpf65

Almost forgot. Make sure you replace the capacitor also. I don't care if it tests good. Been on far too many call-backs from somebody not replacing a "good one".

obieone

What you'll have to match up is frame size, and shaft size, as well operating specs, if you want this thing to FIT in your unit. Please take a pic of the unit data plate, and the motor data plate, and we should be able to help you.

halo71

rpf65 wrote: »

A generic 1 HP motor will run a little less than $100 wholesale. Online probably $125 or so.

Good luck

Thanks but where online? Cheapest I've seen was around $185.

halo71

motor plate:


unit plate:


mounting frame (this is with the 1/4hp motor mounted)


And how do you tell which wire goes to which side of the run capacitor? The old motors wire were both brown that ran to the cap.

obieone

What is the cause of the motor being no good? Seized? OR is it just humming, and not spinning? That capacitor looks kind of old.

rpf65

I would also check the capacitor 1 st. If you still want to replace the motor, here's where to go.

Hvacpartsoutlet.com
They have a 3/4 HP, reversible blower motor for $117.16 and the capacitor for $12.58.

This will probably work.

halo71

The bearings in the motor seemed to be wore out. Motor does not freely spin. When on you can hear it humming and see the motor trying to spin but it drags.

That website is where I was looking. This is the direct replacement motor for mine. http://www.hvacpartsshop.com/search.aspx?find=blower+motor+46k14

tonyb

Sell something to pay for motor. Seriously....looks like those were made specifically for Lennox units. Can't imagine Georgia in the summer with no air.

Polkie2009

tonyb wrote: »

Sell something to pay for motor. Seriously....looks like those were made specifically for Lennox units. Can't imagine Georgia in the summer with no air.

+1 on what tonyb says , sell something to buy the new motor. Heck, someone's having to sell their Emotiva amp in the flea market just to get some extra money for an emergency that cropped up. Summer is coming and I also can't imagine Georgia this time of year without a/c.

PolkieMan

Get it rebuilt by a local electric motor shop

This is the best price I could find.
I did mine 17 years ago I went down to a aircond business and he was so nice a got it for me at his cost. I did not replace the capacitor.The first one only lasted 4 years because the cage wasn't balanced (I remember in the bathroom I could hear it singing) all I did was spin it by hand and kept adjusting it till it looked real smooth and even with the cage inside the shroud

http://www.hvacpartsoutlet.com/AO-Smith-1-HP-Blower-Motor-BD1106.aspx

halo71

After talking with my super at work. He told me about the company that we use to rebuild electric motors at work. They charged $65 to rebuild a fan motor a few weeks ago that costs about $250 new. So I am gonna check with them about rebuilding this motor. Somewhat good news is, for now anyways, I got a hold of a used 1/2 hp motor that is running smoothly for right now. At least we are not burning up so far.

Thanks for the help from everyone!

Sell something??? pffffttt.....not selling any Polk's! :cheesygrin: The Kef bookies, Mirage M's, Celestions etc.....those might be a different story! lol

disneyjoe7

Sorry about that I made a post about rebuilding it then see the post above.

PolkieMan

You there buddy!:razz: our new motto "Sweat, or no Sweat, I'm keepin my Polks!

halo71 wrote: »

After talking with my super at work. He told me about the company that we use to rebuild electric motors at work. They charged $65 to rebuild a fan motor a few weeks ago that costs about $250 new. So I am gonna check with them about rebuilding this motor. Somewhat good news is, for now anyways, I got a hold of a used 1/2 hp motor that is running smoothly for right now. At least we are not burning up so far.

Thanks for the help from everyone!

Sell something??? pffffttt.....not selling any Polk's! :cheesygrin: The Kef bookies, Mirage M's, Celestions etc.....those might be a different story! lol

halo71

Well, got home today and my air is working! My father-in-law, bless his soul, went ahead and called an AC repairman out and replaced the motor and made sure everything else was working. Not sure what it cost him.....but he did mention that I better have some sharp blades on the lawnmower and plenty of string for the weed trimmer! lol

Thanks to all that helped out here! Luckily my Polk's are cool now.....

vmaxer

halo71 wrote: »

Well, got home today and my air is working! My father-in-law, bless his soul, went ahead and called an AC repairman out and replaced the motor and made sure everything else was working. Not sure what it cost him.....but he did mention that I better have some sharp blades on the lawnmower and plenty of string for the weed trimmer! lol

Thanks to all that helped out here! Luckily my Polk's are cool now.....

Good to hear, glad he was able to help you out. I know I have to help my kids more now than when they were young.

Good luck!!

halo71

Yeah but I'm 42! :redface:

Polkie2009

This tells me you have an awesome father-in law who considers you a very wonderful son-in law and an outstanding husband and father to his daughter and your children. Blessings to you all, sounds like a very special ,close knit family.

halo71

Thanks! Yeah my wife's side of the family is very close.

mrbigbluelight

halo71 wrote: »

Yeah but I'm 42! :redface:

Oh, you young whippersnappers. Is there any possibility of having your FIL cloned ? That would make for an excellent kharma. Good to know you got your cool back on.

Those suggestions made by rfp65 were most excellent and that hvacpartsoutlet is a great source for parts.

BTW, I looked to see if Grainger has outlets in Georgia, and they do.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/clearanceCenter.shtml
I don't know if anyof those locations are near you, but if they are, they can be great sources for future buys. Grainger isn't normally the cheapest source for stuff (great inventory though) but on the bottom of their home page you'll notice a link for "CLearance Center". A GREAT source for buys.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/clearanceCenter.shtml

Got a 2-ton cased enclosed evaporator coil last year for $69. Still sitting in the garage, while I wait for a deal on a 2-ton outdoor condensing unit (waiting for a unit with a scroll compressor). It'll show up again eventually for about $600. Throw in a refrigerant line set and expansion valve for another $100, and we'll be good to go.

In the meantime, see what you can do about getting your FIL cloned. My back yard really needs mowing.

halo71

Thanks! Yep I've been to Grainger a fews time here. I also have had good success price and service wise from JCWhitney online before as well.

disneyjoe7

That's very nice he helped you out, I couldn't live without my air.

rpf65

halo71 wrote: »

Well, got home today and my air is working! My father-in-law, bless his soul, went ahead and called an AC repairman out and replaced the motor and made sure everything else was working. Not sure what it cost him.....but he did mention that I better have some sharp blades on the lawnmower and plenty of string for the weed trimmer! lol

Thanks to all that helped out here! Luckily my Polk's are cool now.....

That repaip probably set him back about $650, with service call.

He must really like you, and I can see a lot of yard woork in your future.

PolkieMan

That's a lot of yard work!!

Yea they take their unit cost say $175 multiply that by 2 $350
Capacitor $20 times 2 $40
then $100 service call
and $100 an hour @ 1.5 hours $150
plus tax.

Sound like he's a real good fellow. :biggrin:

rpf65 wrote: »

That repaip probably set him back about $650, with service call.

He must really like you, and I can see a lot of yard woork in your future.