Motoraid heater Fan

[hawkeye38]

The last time I used the motoraid heater in my 1999 Chieftain 34U, the fan bearing was squealing so I turned it off. I need to look at it as now it won't blow air but I can't find the last screw that holds it in. It's getting power as lights dim a little when switch is pushed. There are 2 screws in the front but something else is holding it in. I can't seem to get to the back as the underneath duct is there. Do I need to look better there? Any suggestions?

[BFlinn181]

Try searching for an owner's manual for your heater. It might show an exploded view. I wouldn't keep trying the motor, the amp draw might melt some wires, I'm surprised a fuse hasn't blown.

[grtharris]

hawkeye38, give WBGO a call they may a document on the procedure for removing the motoraid heater.

[DancinCampers]

Try this pdf.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...95039771,d.cGU

There is a 3rd screw, along with the heater hoses and DC plug.

[hawkeye38]

Finally found the third screw with a strong flashight. It is unreachable without a special screwdriver that I don't have. Had to go underneath and clamp the exposed threads with vicegrips and back it out as far as the vicegrips can hold it.Then with a long screwdriver I pushed the screw up and out. Be sure that screw won't go back in.
Heater is out and squirrel cage blower won't turn. Gotta take the front off and see why.

[DancinCampers]

If it is like mine was, the cage slipped on the shaft towards the motor, and the cone shaped inside of the cage is rubbing up against the motor housing. Holding the cage in one hand, tap the end of the shaft slightly to move the cage back where it belongs.

Mine only lasted a few months before it slipped back again. The second time I fixed it permanently by adding 2 very small screws to the end of the cage shaft mount and covering the screws and the end of motor shaft with epoxy putty.

[hawkeye38]

Problem solved. The cage had somehow slipped on the shaft and had jammed against the motor. I added a couple of brass washers as spacers and put it back together. It went in fine and all is well. Fortunately I did not have the same situation as the guy above as I did not have to deal with water heater, water tanks and electric wires being in the way. Thanks for the replies.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by hawkeye38

Problem solved. The cage had somehow slipped on the shaft and had jammed against the motor. I added a couple of brass washers as spacers and put it back together. It went in fine and all is well. Fortunately I did not have the same situation as the guy above as I did not have to deal with water heater, water tanks and electric wires being in the way. Thanks for the replies.

Glad you figured out how to remove and reinstall the unit. It'll come in handy the next time it fails. The one in our 2001 Adventurer did the same thing. We had it to the factory for some other repairs so we had them look at it. We could have had them do a similar repair as you, or replace the unit with an updated model for $250.00.

The new unit carried a 1 year warranty, but the repair would have had Zero warranty. We opted for a new unit, but saved the old one. I later installed it in a piece of construction machinery. It worked fine for about a year then the fan came loose again. This time it moved in the opposite direction. It's now sitting on a shelf in the shop.