KOOLOMATIC FAN MOTOR/SWITCH

[lcondosta]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson wrote:
>No modification needed to the NAPA motor.Lee Condosta Holden Beach nc
> In December, I purchased an electric motor replacement for the Kool-o-
> matic from Grainger, item #1LWK8 for $23.85. However, that item was
> discontinued. A new motor, Grainger item #3LCH7, seems to be the
> successor to the motor I bought. It's priced at $39.10 and has very
> nearly the exact same specifications.
>
> This motor is not a _direct_ replacement for the OEM Kool-O-Matic fan
> motor. The motor body was very slightly larger in diameter than the
> OEM motor, but the mounting easily adjusted to hold it tightly.
>
> Fitting the fan blades was slightly more of a problem. First I cut off
> the mounting studs. Then there was the slightly more difficult problem
> that the shaft (1/4" dia.) is undersized. After a couple of
> ineffective tries to shim the shaft, I purchased a 1/16" thick sheet
> of aluminum plate, cut a rectangle and bent it into a cylinder that
> just fit over the shaft and within the fan's shaft-hole. A few light
> taps with hammer, and the fan was seated. Tightening the shaft
> clamping bolt (against the flattened edge of the shaft) finished the
> process.
>
> A hand-held test (hold on tight, the fan generates a lot of torque)
> showed that the fan was very slightly out of balance. Unfortunately, I
> had no way to balance the fan. (A static balance test before mounting
> the fan did not show any significant balance problems). Once I
> installed the fan in the Kool-O-Matic vent opening, a trial at the
> lowest speed proved that the apparent imbalance was not an issue. The
> fan operated at all three speed settings with no problems.
> Subsequently, I decided that there was not sufficient difference in
> fan noise (with this motor) between the low and high settings, so I
> set the switch to high and buttoned everything up.
>
> In a final, and longer test, I noticed an odd whistling noise when the
> fan was operating. After some experimenting, I discovered that the
> sliding window in the entry door was allowing wind to whistle in
> through gaps in its weather stripping. Apparently, the new motor
> causes the fan to _really_ suck air. (Probably best to have a window
> or another vent open to allow air to flow through the coach.)
>
> Considering the new, higher price, I'm not sure that the extra hassle
> in making this motor work with the Kool-O-Matic as compared to the
> NAPA fan motor (assuming it's a direct replacement). However, for me
> the $23.85 vs. $69 price was worth the savings.
>
> Grainger has other fan motors listed that might work, but they are all
> more expensive.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Mar 31, 2009, at 4:58 AM, Ernie Ekberg wrote:
>
> > Lee, that is good to know. Napa will be around for quite a while.
> >
> > Ernie Ekberg
> > 83PT40
> > Wanderlodge
> > Weatherford, Tx
> > http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair
> >
> >
> > --- On Mon, 3/30/09, lcondosta wrote:
> > From: lcondosta
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] KOOLOMATIC FAN MOTOR/SWITCH
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:17 PM
> >
> > I PURCHASED A MOTOR FROM NAPA PARTS.Part#655- 2012.Take the swicth
> > to a NAPA store and they have a switch book .If I remember correctly
> > that switch is a heater three speed switch early GM.Hope this
> > helps.Lee Condosta 85 PT 40 Holden Beach N.C
> >
> >
> >
> >
>