Pocono Convection Fans Not Working

Cold_Mainer · Post by **Cold_Mainer** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 8:36 am

The convection fans on my pocono stopped working last night. All they do is sit there and quiver without turning. Motors are hot. I unplugged them from the control box and plugged them directly into an outlet and they work. Getting the house warmed back up now on this lovely -8 degree day here in Maine.

I had my coaltrol reprogrammed a couple of years ago by you folks. It helped with this problem but I have never seen it this severe. They have completely stopped. Any ideas what it might be and what I can do?

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 8:42 am

Whats the voltage measured on the coaltrol outlet? Too low to get the blower motor to run?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 9:51 am

Never had a coaltrol or any of the other gizmo's on my stove--BUT, can a coaltrol just get OLD & useless like every other gadget??????????????????????

CoalisCoolxWarm · Post by **CoalisCoolxWarm** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 9:56 am

Have you cleaned out the area where it blows? How about removing the fans and shaking them out?

Dust, ashes, and fines can build up on fans.

Also, while out and DISCONNECTED, spin one with your fingers. Is it free spinning or a little stiff and stops right away?

Bearings go sometimes, too. Sometimes lubing helps, depending on the fan.

coalnewbie · Post by **coalnewbie** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 11:01 am

Just connect the fans to 110v directly while you sort it out. Once it gets below 30* I just plug my AK180 dist. fan into the wall - seems to run smoother I swear. My barn Pocono is in a dirty environment as the intake is near the floor. I just change those motors every few years - cheap insurance. Lubing? I give a squirt of this into those top holes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016GRXN4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CoalisCoolxWarm · Post by **CoalisCoolxWarm** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 11:25 am

coalnewbie wrote:Lubing? I give a squirt of this into those top holes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016GRXN4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But not into any combustion fan while there is a fire

<--sorry, no nuke emoticon

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Sat. Jan. 07, 2017 12:04 pm

There is a specific weight oil to lube each side of the bearings, Last 5 years been using 3 in 1 SAE 20 for electrical motors. Lube every 6 weeks during cleaning. One hole in the combustion motor requires the electrical cover to be removed.

There is a lot of good being discussed about keeping the fan fins clean as dust bunnies do accumulate which lowers flow. This is really important on the combustion fan.

The convection fans quivering is bothersome. Check the fuse to make sure there is ample force in the spring to make a good contact.

I do remember having a issue something like this a long time ago with the coaltrol, I had to call the manufacturer of the control and they ran me thru the programming logic to fix it . They knew all about the issue. Not sure how it happen though can't remember the issue.

Overall been really happy with the Coaltrol especially since the stove can be manually placed on the constant convection fan speed & constant feed rate of my choice. This in my opinion reduces bearing wear and lowers the heat in the motor coils since there is almost no shaft acceleration.

Ug

Cold_Mainer · Post by **Cold_Mainer** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 8:20 am

If you read my post it's not a maintenance issue. The fans work fine when plugged into a regular power outlet. Trying to figure out if it's a coaltrol issue or the brain mounted on the back of the hopper.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 8:35 am

Kinda like Smart Phones--they don't live up to expectations either!!

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 8:55 am

quivering on control and yet runs fine from wall outlet is obliviosly a controller issue.

control repair/replace is required...no amount of snake oil can fix this.

likely a .89 cent triac, but whole board gets tossed or exchanged.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 9:24 am

Yep, pretty obivious that's the fix. Good call MG!

CoalisCoolxWarm · Post by **CoalisCoolxWarm** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 10:28 am

Maybe....

If the controller is designed to run fans a lower speed (pwm), then when fans get junk in them or bearing without lube, they are harder to start and run.

If the controller is set for FULL SPEED on the fans, then controller is the problem.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 10:30 am

OP stated none of this is the problem!

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 1:32 pm

One of my girlfriends used to quiver. Can't remember her name, been so long..

Anyways, give a cooperative call to the manufacturer tomorrow, they can be quite accommodating.

CoalisCoolxWarm · Post by **CoalisCoolxWarm** » Sun. Jan. 08, 2017 1:57 pm

freetown fred wrote:OP stated none of this is the problem!

You don't know what *isn't* the problem until you find out what *is* the problem, LOL.

The OP's assertion is that since he can plug into the controller and no work vs wall and it does work, it must be the controller.

Maybe. But if the controller is trying to run fans at lower speed, it could still be the controller, OR it could be the fans getting marginal due to maintenance or partial failure.

In which case, it is possible for the FANS to burn out the CONTROLLER, which would likely happen again...or could also continue to fail until finally dead.

I've seen these kinds of electrical failures in other types of systems, Fred. They are quite common.