Ceiling Fan Question
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Junior User
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From: Westminster, CO
Ceiling Fan Question
Did some research and found the general rule of thumb for ceiling fans was summer should rotate counter clockwise moving air downward, winter clockwise moving air upward. Have a ceiling fan in a bedroom that is probably 15 years plus old. Apparently it has been used in the clockwise direction exclusively for most of the time in service. It runs fine, in balance with no vibration or wobbling at all. I moved the switch to change it to summer postition of counter clockwise and it vibrates and wobbles excessively. I tightened all fasteners, cleaned all dust accumulation, etc, and it still shakes. I spent the better part of an hour taping and moving a penny trying to balance the blades with no success. Finally concluded the only change or difference was the direction of blade operation. I switched it back to the "winter" setting of clockwise and it rotates perfectly even at top speed with no vibration or wobbling. This does not make sense, but I can see and reproduce with the flip of a switch. Anyone have an explanation? I think I will have to live with the clockwise rotation or have to replace the fan.
Scott
Scott
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From: Southern Louisiana
If it means all that much to you I would replace the fan. I currently dont have any ceiling fans but have grown up with dang near one in each room at my parents house and I never noticed a diffirence in either direction. You spent an hour trying to balance it? Jeez you have a lot of time on your hands
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From: So Cal
Wild guessing. I have never had this problem.
I don't think it is balance. It is probably something mechanical like dust build up jamming the fan in the opposite direction, if it has brushes, maybe they are too set in one direction. Is anything loose? Maybe the bearings are dry and catch when reversed?
If I did not find any dust build up, loose parts or bad burshes, I would probably just replace it unless it was special.
My experience is that a good cleaning, lubrication and tightening solves many problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I don't think it is balance. It is probably something mechanical like dust build up jamming the fan in the opposite direction, if it has brushes, maybe they are too set in one direction. Is anything loose? Maybe the bearings are dry and catch when reversed?
If I did not find any dust build up, loose parts or bad burshes, I would probably just replace it unless it was special.
My experience is that a good cleaning, lubrication and tightening solves many problems.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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From: colorado
when the fan is moving air up it is trying to pull away from the ceiling which helps to stabilize it, when it is in the other direction it is trying to move towards the ceiling, or unloads, which will exaggerate any out of balance situation. check to make sure each blade is the same distance from the ceiling, if not you will have to bend the arms to line them up
Posting Guru
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From: Valley of the Sun AZ
I have one in each room and never change the direction of rotation and they run 24/7 for about six to eight months a year. While I was on vacation, my parents turned one off in the master bedroom and it pooped out after seven years of service. $100 later and I had a new one up. If you got 15 years out of a fan, I would say that is good and just get a new one. The centripetal forces could have caused a total break in for the one direction and now it is totally unusual to go the different direction. IMHO I would just replace them.
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I have experienced this problem before with our living room fan. One of the blades was excessively warped and causes wobble. Since we never use the winter position, we bent the blade bracket to compensate for the unbalanced blade, so when the fan is on it is fine, but it I put it on winter position it shakes like crazy. Maybe you have a blade that is warped and somebody did this to you fan. I really wouldn't worry about it though, the fan will be perfectly safe with a little wobbling.
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From: Westminster, CO
Thanks for the responses. bigdaddyII, I may be **** retentive but meant to say spent the better part of an hour tightening, cleaning, and trying to balance. I had read that when the leading edge of the fan blade is lower than the trailing edge, this moves air upwards, winter position. In the summer you want the air to move directly downward for the cooling effect. They stated that in the winter you want to move air upwards towards the ceiling where warmer air has risen and accumulated. This causes the hot air above to blow across the ceiling and down the walls. Warm air cirulates across windows absorbing condensation. Have to admit even thinking about this is a waste of time! Thanks.
Scott
Scott
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And don't forget that there is a mininum clearance between the blade and the ceiling.
Any less than the clearence stated, and that could cause a turbulance with the blades; according to Hunter Fan.
Just thought I'd throw that in.
Any less than the clearence stated, and that could cause a turbulance with the blades; according to Hunter Fan.
Just thought I'd throw that in.
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