[ETO_Alpha] Blower wasn't Dead - QA Problem with Connector

[Joe]

Well - it turns out that I don't have a dead blower.  It was a lousy 
workmanship issue with the orange connector ON the blower by the 
manufacturer supplying Alpha with the blower.

After 3 hours of disassembly, I finally got the blower out of the 87a. 
Part of the blower removal instructions Alpha gives you is to "cut the 
wires to the orange connector" to make it easier to remove it.  I just 
took my time and gently removed it in one piece.

The wires looked "funny" on the connector, so I thought I'd check the 
continuity of the motor.  As I began, I noticed that the connector wires 
were not properly installed in the connector.  The connector makes use 
of a "press in, V-shaped device" that cuts through the insulation and 
makes contact, with a plastic "clamp" that holds the wire in place, all 
integral to the connector.

Instead of installing the wire at a right angle to the connector so the 
insulation was cut and the wire was clamped, the manufacturer pushed the 
wire into the contact point horizontally, resulting in only a partial 
contact, and no firm "clamping" of the wire to ensure it stayed in place.

As a result, the wires barely made contact with the connector.  The 
slightest pull, and it fell off.  Eureka, I thought!!  And at the same 
time, "damn"!

So, I reinstalled the wires as they should have been, and hooked the 230 
VAC motor to 110 VAC - darned if it didn't start spinning.

After another 3 hour job of reinstalling the blower and hoping all the 
time that I had made the right decision, I plugged the 87a in, held my 
breath, and flipped the switch.  It worked!

So - if you ever THINK you need to replace a blower - don't go to the 
trouble of removing EVERYTHING first - pull the transformer then remove 
the orange connector from the fan and see if the wires were properly 
installed on the connector.  Would have saved me many hours of effort 
and concern.

I was one click away from ordering a $150 replacement blower, but 
decided to pull it apart and check the continuity first.

My error was in not disconnecting the fan from the voltage source and 
checking it without taking the whole amp apart - my goof - hope it saves 
everyone else with a similar problem the time....

73,

Joe
WDØM


 > The list has been quiet for awhile - I'm hoping someone is out there who
 > can make recommendations on a problem I've recently encountered.
 >
 > My trusty 87a has suddenly developed a fault #21.  Fault code " +o+o+
 > "  is indicated on the front panel.  When I took the case off, nothing
 > looked out of the ordinary.  I removed the bottom cover that provides
 > access to the tube deck/blower assembly.
 >
 > When I turned it on, I quickly discovered that the blower does not
 > work.  No wonder it faulted.  I have the secondary muffin fan installed
 > on the back of the 87a, so the noise masked the fact that the primary
 > blower was not working.
 >
 > I checked the fuses and they are fine.  I replaced the blower (original
 > owner) under warranty because the original blower was noisy, and out of
 > balance.  When I installed the new blower I also took photos and helped
 > rewrite the Replacement Blower Instructions now found on the Alpha Tech
 > Tips web page.  That was a few years ago.  It's been absolutely fine
 > since then.
 >
 > My question now is whether the blower is 120VAC or is it fed through a
 > lower voltage?  I haven't taken the blower out of the case at this time,
 > pending a determination as to whether I should look at a 12 VDC path,
 > or, if it's 120VAC, simply remove the blower and order another one.
 > All thoughts are welcome.......
 >
 > 73
 >
 > --
 > Joe Hannigan - WDØM
 > Pagosa Springs, CO
 >
 > http://www.WD0M.com
 > http://www.pagosarocks.com
 > http://www.quiltqueen.net