[Hallicrafters] Hurricane noisy fan

[Jim Liles]

Good morning Richy:

Just finished making a noisy, rattling, retched sounding blower for an 
SR-2000 become quiet and smooth.  Here are a few pointers.

First, that blower was used in several amplifiers of that era.  It has more 
than adequate capacity and will last for 679 years.  It also was not 
terribly expensive.

The most problematic malady is imbalance in the squirrel cage fan.  It 
accumulates debris and goes out of balance causing vibration.  This 
vibration combined with lateral armature play allows the whole rotating mass 
to rattle not only up and down but laterally.

Here is how to fix it.  Take it entirely apart --- don't be lazy and go part 
way, you'll not do it any good.  Watch for the shims that are on the 
armature shaft, you'll need them.  Note the end play in the armature.  You 
will find it universally excessive --- should not exceed 15/1000 inch or so. 
To correct excessive play, go to ACE hardware or Menards and search the 
screw and nut cabinets for nylon and composite washers.  Buy and assortment 
similar to those that you removed from the armature.  You will notice that 
most are a bit wider in diameter than those in the motor.  Not to worry, you 
can trim them down with a scissor.  Select a combination that will result in 
the appropriate end play.  Be careful to use one of the composite/metal 
shims against the end bearings.

The end bearings are gimbaled, that’s to say they will find the appropriate 
alignment when assembled sort of like a ball joint.  They are not delicate 
but many are damaged when trying to remove a jammed blower blade.  Use WD40, 
patience, a little heat, and if all else fails more patience.  The end 
bearings are peened in place and if enough pressure is exerted on them 
trying to remove the blower blade, they can move from home resulting in end 
play changes.  Think that does end play.

Blower blade balancing.  This fan has no filter and I'm not suggesting that 
you use one.  They collect everything known to man.  Soak them in whatever 
you like but get them clean --- no short cuts.  Re assemble and apply power 
with the blower simply sitting on a hard surface.  If there is an imbalance, 
it will be quite apparent.  Simply add a small weight and check for the 
location on the blade where vibration is minimal.  Now vary the weight until 
there is no vibration.  Use that much solder at the same location.

Now you have a smooth sounding blower.  One last thing --- thought you were 
through ehhh?

That fan must be capable of starting when applying 110 volts through a 250 
ohm resistor.  If it won't you have two options.  Fix it or find a resistor 
that will fit in the same location as the 250 ohm resistor that you will 
find in the final compartment that will enable the motor to start at 110 
volts.  This test is one of a litany of regression tests that must be done 
during a proper restoration of an SR-2000.

Sounds like an awful lot of work for a silly blower but when you are tuning 
around the band looking for a weak signal, having to listen to a turbo prop 
spinning up will send you to another radio.

Hope this helps.

NOTE:  USE SYNTHETIC CLOCK OIL IN THE WICKS --- WON'T CLOG OR HARDEN!!!

Good luck and Kindest regards Jim K9AXN

-----Original Message----- 
From: ss409ss at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2013 5:43 AM
To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Hurricane noisy fan




  Anyone ever solve a noisy fan complaint on a Hurricane? It's a little 
beyond oiling.. :-) Any possible replacements or source for an original? 
Thanks Richy N2ZD