Hydroflame furnace issue

[Malcolm358]

I have a Hydro Flame 8535-II. The issue is that when the thermostat is on...the blower does not activate. However if I open the outside door and just
touch the fan blades (or actually give it a little push)...the motor starts and the furnace gives heat. Any suggestions on where I should look?

 

[Icemaker]

I assume it is 12 volt...
I would verify it is actually getting full voltage to the motor.. and is not dropping when the "call" for heat to the fan motor is energized .. if it does drop than I would be looking for bad/corroded  connections or frayed wires.
I'm not smart on DC motors but I don't think they have start windings as AC motors do..
I hope your model is as easy to work on as mine is.

Good luck
George

 

[John From Detroit]

Well, if it were an air conditioner I'd suggest the start capacitor, but DC motors do not have those as a rule.  The suspects are...

Voltage to the blower (Bad connection, bad relay on control board) and this one may surprise you (I know it did me) Bad wire,  and bad motor, (Lubrication of the bearings if possible may help) .

Oh,,, One other thing:  WHEN the control board fails.. (Hopefully years from now) consider Dinosaur Boards as a replacement.. .here is what I found when mine failed

OEM (Very slightly rounded) 250  (cheapest I found was like 245 plus S&H)
Dino, Total price, SH included 108

I have some experience in electronics, Ham radio operator, certified technician.  Opening the box and putting eyes on the Dino board I was seriously impressed with the quality.. On a closer look the design also impressed me.

I have a theory as to what killed my OEM board.. It appears Dinosaur Boards shares that theory since they added protection against.. Just that failure mode.

I do NOT expect to have to replace this board.  Ever.

 

[Malcolm358]

Thanks for the info...I lubricate both sides of the motor shaft with aerosol grease and it seems to
have fixed the problem. I tries to remove the motor itself...but the allen screw on the exhaust fan
is stripped. I soaked the shaft & it seems to run reasonably fine for now. We don't use the furnace
much (Snowbirds in Arizona). Also a Ham operator
Malcolm
VE7MFM
Chilliwack BC
FMCA F382168

 

[John From Detroit]

VE7, that is a real snow bird (VE7 folks is north of the State of Washington, USA)

 

[Icemaker]

I'm waiting on my motor ..just a few more days till the UPS man drops it off... I suspect at some point you'll need to replace yours..the allen screw is a bugger..I was lucky to have the right size and it was a long wrench..if I couldn't get the lower blower off [exhaust] I think I'd replace it or try to drill out the allen set screw and maybe put a pin thru the shaft..tho I've never tried that repair yet..


George

 

[Malcolm358]

Getting my new motor today as the old one just isn't going to last much longer. Will drill out the allen and pin it.
Yes VE7 land is north of WA and our QTH is near the Cdn/USA border. Been in the Ham scene since the early 70"s
although not that active lately. We winter for 6months in AZ & CA.

Malcolm MacKinnon
VE7MFM (my initials)
Chilliwack BC
2004 Mandalay 40' diesel
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
XYL is Donna (44 years married)

 

[Icemaker]

Motor came in...soaked allen set-screw...got it to loosen..
new motor is almost an exact replacement..got installed and started re hooking up till storm came in..
Should be a good match..

George