Englander 25 PDVC exhaust blower life

[Lumberjack]

They are ball bearings in these blower motors from the factory. IIRC,3000rpm. I have an '06 pdvc that was already installed in the house that I bought 2 seasons ago. I cannot say for sure that they are original blowers, but do appear to be.
I have been taking both convection and combustion blowers out twice a year for cleaning and oiling. Although they are sealed bearings, I hold the unit so that the motor shaft is vertical and just add a few drops of PB multi purpose lube from an aerosol can with straw, and allow a few min to soak in past the seals.
Every few months, when the bearings start to howl a bit, I repeat.
I suspect it has bought me at least 2 seasons so far, since the exhaust blower was howling within the first month of me using it. That was a year ago last Nov.

do you replace the gasket each time or reuse?

 

[JohnRXL]

do you replace the gasket each time or reuse?

I don't know how anyone can re-use the combustion blower gasket, last time I had mine off to lube the bearings the fiber gasket just fell a part and there was no way I could re-use it and be certain that it would seal properly. Unless others have found a better material gasket that can be used more than once.

 

[PoopieBritches]

do you replace the gasket each time or reuse?

No, unfortunately the material tends to rip apart. I have bought the material in sheet form, and just trace it out and cut my own. Sometimes I lay the blower, burn pot or whatever I need a gasket for, right onto the sheet and press the part against it. Which usually works quite well, leaves an impression in the material.
Have bought from this site, with good results. I'm sure there's plenty of others as well.
http://heiligkuh.com/bbandp/index.php/osCsid/38dc128b391b29ee26efdb11fc21b78e

 

[CladMaster]

Sometimes you can use the Lytherm gasket material again if you are very careful when removing the blower from the stove. I found a place local that sells the material on a roll, I just get them to cut me 2 or 3 feet off the roll and make my own gaskets as and when I need them.

 

[Mt Bob]

Sometimes you can use the Lytherm gasket material again if you are very careful when removing the blower from the stove. I found a place local that sells the material on a roll, I just get them to cut me 2 or 3 feet off the roll and make my own gaskets as and when I need them.

I agree,have to be carefull.The price the stove shops sell it for is almost the same price a new gasket costs for mine,and have to cut it.Wouldn't want to pass along the shop you are buying from,would you?Have been searching,but do not want to buy 50 feet.PS hi temp silicone is fine,because of airflow never see extream temps at flange,but a pain to remove,and will transfer much more blower noise.

 

[Lumberjack]

bob, are you talking about sheet silicone (which you could cut a gasket from) or RTV silicone (think automotive).

 

[jjones139]

This is my first season with the new pellet stove.

I have burned less than 2 tons so far this season. Cleaned the flue once after the first ton. Clean the inside daily.

Came home today and the exhaust blower is making a lot more noise than normal. It is like it is resonating intermittently. Changing settings doesn't seem to help. It sounds like the motor bearing to me. From what I can see and what I read in the manual there isn't a way to lubricate the bearings, the are "sealed for life".

So the question is: what is the service life for these blower motors? i figure I have less than 3000 hrs on the unit (assuming I have run it 24/7 for 120 days).

I plan on calling tomorrow as I believe there is a 1 year warranty on the exhaust blower.

Anyone else have this issue?

I too have had an issue and lube did help. However, when I called Englander the customer service rep was all too familiar with their exhaust fan problems. Fortunately for me my stove was only 2 months old so I was within the 1 year warranty and they sent me a new fan. He also went on to say that they use the same fan for all of their stoves. Good luck and happy burning

 

[keepingmamahappy]

bob, are you talking about sheet silicone (which you could cut a gasket from) or RTV silicone (think automotive).

I have used hi-temp graphite sheet stock available from Fastenal. Expensive at 23.00 for 12 x 12 sheet, but my combustion motor gasket and burn pot gasket are going on 4 years and still good. Expect them to last another year or two.

 

[Shannon Hackenberg]

As for longevity, our 2008 model, still has the OEM motor. As a matter of fact, both blowers, are original.

Lots of vacuum hoses, an ignitor, and one set of gaskets, we have changed.

The control board has a problem, that the ignitor circuit, is gone - but the stove is in 24/7 service still.

See your from Williamsport thats around 45mins away from me I live in Beavertown I also have 25-PAH how you like yours?

 

[Shannon Hackenberg]

This is my first season with the new pellet stove.

I have burned less than 2 tons so far this season. Cleaned the flue once after the first ton. Clean the inside daily.

Came home today and the exhaust blower is making a lot more noise than normal. It is like it is resonating intermittently. Changing settings doesn't seem to help. It sounds like the motor bearing to me. From what I can see and what I read in the manual there isn't a way to lubricate the bearings, the are "sealed for life".

So the question is: what is the service life for these blower motors? i figure I have less than 3000 hrs on the unit (assuming I have run it 24/7 for 120 days).

I plan on calling tomorrow as I believe there is a 1 year warranty on the exhaust blower.

Anyone else have this issue?

Never had that issue but I have a Englander 25-PAH bought brand new in 2011 and knock on wood never replaced anything but igniters my advice its under warrenty get a new one shipped to your house

 

[MaryH]

See your from Williamsport thats around 45mins away from me I live in Beavertown I also have 25-PAH how you like yours?

We LOVE our PAH - it's 82 in here now on 4-9 (fixing to turn her down)

 

[Shannon Hackenberg]

I have the digital thermostat and I love it kicks on and off when meets room temp saves alot on pellets

 

[rich2500]

In the 9-1/2 years I owned my PDVC I replaced the exhaust blower once and room blower once,now auger motors is a different story

 

[Mt Bob]

bob, are you talking about sheet silicone (which you could cut a gasket from) or RTV silicone (think automotive).

High temp sealer in a tube,There actually is no reason not to use sheet,if you can find stuff rated high enough.

 

[zrtmatos]

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Temperature-Gasket-Material-/191389442328?pt=US_Replacement_Parts&var=&hash=item2c8fb32118)
I have used this and has worked well, for me. $7.00 a sheet

 

[jss227]

The exhaust and convection motors on the pdvc are the same as on the ep. They have sealed ball bearings. I have taken the bearings apart and re-greased them several times on my ep after initially buying new motors. I'm cheap and this stove goes through a set of bearings per season. I've pretty much worn out the grease seals so now I'm going to replace the bearings themselves. The hour of my time to repack/replace bearings is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole unit every year. Like I said I'm cheap.