Every particular speed control has to be tested with a specific motor. On that note, there are no particular general guidelines of speed control that are applicable across the motor offering. Each motor will respond differently at different times.
One of the most important test characteristics is the rise of heat inside the motor. When some of these Fasco blower motors overheat, they trip the overload. It is recommended that you place thermocouples on the windings in order to monitor the motor’s operating temperature throughout the speed range prior to using the controls.
How to Remove the Fasco Blower Motor
- Disconnect the electrical power supply from the unit. Do not work with the live wires while they are still intact.
- Find any wiring diagrams that illustrate the hook-up of all the Fasco blower motor leads, or any other drawings that show where each and every wire is connected.
- For the PSC type of motors, note down the size of the capacitor as well as its location. Discharge the capacitor through a resistor prior to removing or handling the capacitor. A capacitor is able to hold charge for some time which could potentially shock you.
- Note down the number of speeds.
- Look at the nameplate or on the body for any rotation markings or an arrow in order to determine the rotation direction. Fasco manufacturers in particular use CW to denote clockwise and CCW to denote counterclockwise which are indicated at the shaft end.
- Note the type of Fasco blower motor mounting that has been used after removing the motor off the unit.
The types are such as; through bolts, lug mounts, resilient base as well as band mount.
How to Replace a Fasco Blower Motor
Rarely is a replacement motor identified through the original equipment manufacturer's model number. A replacement Fasco blower motor can be easily selected (the correct one) by simply answering some questions about the old Fasco blower motor.
It is recommended to have the defective Fasco blower motor with you while taking measurements and for firsthand visual inspection.
Some of the common questions to answer when replacing a motor are such as:-
- What is the application of the motor?
- How is the motor mounted?
- What type of blower motor is it?
- What ventilation type does it have?
- How many speeds does it contain?
- In which direction rotation?
- What is the motor’s voltage, RPM and horsepower?
- What is the length and diameter of the shaft?
- Does the motor contain any special features?
- What is the diameter of the motor?
- What type of bearing does the motor have?
- What OEM number does it have?
Take all of this information about the old motor to any verified Fasco distributor to get the replacement of your Fasco blower motor.
How to Install the Fasco Blower Motor
- Make sure all the power units, especially the ones that are connected directly to the motor are disconnected.
- Understand the motor wiring diagram down to the smallest of details the warranty will be void if you hook the motor up in an incorrect manner. The leads on the replacement Fasco blower motor should correspond with the original blower motor leads. Some additional leads may be present in the replacement motor. In this case, it is recommended that you insulate all the leads that are extra. Unused speed may be in the extra leads. In some cases, the brown lead contains a white tracer that was cut off to match OEM wiring.
- Use the appropriate accessory kits that are required in order to mount the new Fasco blower motor. Examples of the kits are; lug kits, adapter plates and band kits.
- Make the electrical connections. Reconnect each and every one of the leads by following the wiring diagram. Note that each and every one of the leads from the Fasco blower motor connects to a different point. If two motor leads end up connecting to the same point, there are high chances that you have wired the motor wrong.
- Ground the motor. It is safe to ensure that the motor is completely grounded. Make sure that the motor frame is connected to the electrical service ground and is in accordance with the local and national electrical code. You can do this by using the green or green with yellow tracer ground lead on the replacement Fasco blower motor and then connect it to the metal chassis of the unit from the tie bolt. The metal chassis must be grounded to the electrical service ground.
- Double check all the work that you have done and secure any loosely-hanging wires.
- Apply power back to the Fasco blower motor unit.
- Set all the controls so that the unit operates at all levels and also at all the speeds.
- Note down the amp draw and check that the motor current is right; the amp should not be greater than 10% above the nameplate amps or the motor is most likely overloaded or, if the amps are less than 25% of the nameplate Amps, then the blower motor is most likely overpowered and after a long period of time it may trip the overload. Check to ensure that the electricity performs properly or the unit will make heat.
- If there are any issues whatsoever, they will come up within the first two hours of operation.