Blower cleaning

[Ctwoodtick]

So I’m going to take the blowers out of my wood insert tomorrow and blow them out with the air compressor. I haven’t don’t done this in the 3 years of having them and I’m expecting a LOT of dog hair and dust. I was wondering if a few drops of 3 in 1 oil would be wise while after they are cleaned up.

 

[Slimdusty]

Thats what I do. Just don't get carried away with it so that dust and hair stick to any excess.

 

[MongoMongoson]

Yes, it is a good idea. This is what I had on the shelf so I used it. It made a difference. I clean the blower every year but this is the first time I lubed this blower. The blower is noticeably quieter. I think I will lube it every time I clean it from now on.

If I remember correctly, this little bottle came with a long extension tube for putting the drops where you need them. That is long gone. I used a short length of 1/4" plastic tubing instead to drip the drops into and let them run down to the shaft, then let the oil run down the shaft into the bearings. I swabbed the excess off the shaft with Q-tips to hopefully prevent dust accumulation.

 

[kennyp2339]

I cleaned my blower before the start of the burning season, took the squirrel cage off, carefully blew out all the little spots, cleaned the fins good, I did apply some 3&1 oil, but there really wasnt a great spot to put any in, so I dont know how well it will do.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

Thanks everyone- where is the best place to put a few drops of the oil? My thought was to put it where it looked like any friction would be.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Bearings.

Everybody has their own favorite oil. I generally go for penetrating oils. It’s probably one of those situations where whatever you use is better than 97.5% of people who do nothing.

 

[MongoMongoson]

Thanks everyone- where is the best place to put a few drops of the oil? My thought was to put it where it looked like any friction would be.

When I did it I was trying to get oil to the bearings. So, where the shaft enters the motor housing. I let the drops run down the shaft until they got to the bearing, then I spun the shaft for a little bit in the hope of getting the oil distributed on the bearing.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

When I did it I was trying to get oil to the bearings. So, where the shaft enters the motor housing. I let the drops run down the shaft until they got to the bearing, then I spun the shaft for a little bit in the hope of getting the oil distributed on the bearing.

Thank for the input!

So, I did this little project today. I happened to get the oil where you described. Anything that looked like moving parts got a bit of oil. Unfortunately I think I overdid it with the oil a bit and the stove room smells of it pretty good. I read online that the smell should dissipate. That’s my own fault, @Slimdusty mentioned not using too much oil.

Unfortunately, the noise is only slightly better. I may look at least one new blower for this insert (Jotul 550). A few years ago I bought an expensive one from the dealer. It’s the kind that the fins are covered. That one is very quiet.

When I go online I see that they are listed at like $400 a piece! Is anyone aware of a good supplier of blowers that have quality aftermarket blowers? I once tried buying blowers that were very inexpensive and they were very loud brand new, so I want to avoid that.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I got mine as a generic off Amazon.

It’s probably sealed bearings. Did you use a penetrating oil or light machine oil?

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I got mine as a generic off Amazon.

It’s probably sealed bearings. Did you use a penetrating oil or light machine oil?

3 in 1 oil.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I believe that’s considered light machine. It probably penetrates some, but not as well as an oil designed to penetrate. Try kroil, pb blaster, etc.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

So, I’ve decided to just replace the blowers. At one point I bought a pair of very cheap blowers a few yrs ago that seemed load so I stuck them in the basement and bought better ones. I would have just used those going forward but I realized I bought 2 right sided ones. I currently have the insert going with that one blower and will add the add the other blower when the new pair arrives. If the new one seems quieter than than this current one, then I will replace both with the new ones.

I honestly put a good bit on oil on the blowers I had been using and really stink in the house. After all said and done, I will use the air compressor annually when I sweep the liner. Easy enough I think. That will beat just running them for year especially with the dogs in the house.