MIC Patton 20" Fan

[rp2813]

I recently picked up a three-speed Chinese Patton Fan and I'd like to do some cleaning and maintenance on it, but the removable part of the cage is zip-tied around the circumference in addition to the integrated clips that hold the two cage sections together.  I did some checking on line and it appears the zip ties are added as part of the manufacturing process.  Is this because there are no oil ports?  How is one supposed to clean the blades?

 

The fan shakes during operation, but it's hard to imagine the blades could be out of balance due to any sort of impact, and I'm wondering if the zip ties may help with rattle reduction.  I'd like to get to the bottom of this and I would also like to eliminate the zip ties but first I thought I'd ask if anyone is familiar with these models.  They seem to get decent reviews in spite of their country of origin, and the fan really does move a lot of air, although it's fairly loud as a result even on its lowest speed setting.  I did have a smaller one made in USA that seized up on me so I'm not so sure those are much better.

 

[launderess]

Actually have older "vintage" version of Patton "air circulator" fan. These models while similar to yours were made right here in good old USA.

https://www.afcaforum.com/forum5/53997.html

Yes, fan does vibrate more than one would like. Having it on a stable and level surface helps. This along with making sure rubber grips on hooked ends of clips that hold front and back sections in place are attached.

Also make sure bolts that attach fan to stand on either side are tight.

These Patton fans come apart for cleaning and servicing. At least if yours is like mine it should...







Going back few models before yours these Patton fans used permanently lubricated motors, so you won't find an oil port.

 

[qsd-dan]

I pulled a 20" version out of the trash back in 1994 and it was at least 10 years old then. The blades would barely move due to a lack of lubrication. I pulled the motor apart, turbine oiled it, and it ran perfect until I gave it away in 2020. It was made in the USA and had a permanent split capacitor motor. Attached to my Maytag watt meter revealed small differences in wattage between the slow, medium, and high speed so for CFM to wattage use, it's most efficient to run it on high speed.

 

[rp2813]

L, thanks for posting the videos.  Good to know there's no oil port.  My fan is definitely a later model with its skinny blade design.  The motor makes a rhythmic, sort of creaking sound when it fires up but that goes away after a few seconds as RPM increase, but I can't help but wonder if that has anything to do with the shaking.  I did tighten up the the nuts in order to keep the fan in a tilted position, but that seemed to make the shaking worse.  I guess I'll have to snip all of the zip ties and tear into this thing. 

 

Dan, that's a great made-in-USA success story.  All bets are off with this Chinese unit, of course.

 

 

 

[launderess]

Mine rattles so much that now and then get up and go over to give it a whack. *LOL*

That stops vibration and rattling noise for a bit. But it will return sooner or later.

Once a year, usually before warm weather arrives take the thing apart, vacuum interior, blow dust out of and from around motor, wipe down blades..., the reassemble.

Have taken to purchasing and using various filters (usually microfiber, but sometimes foam, whatever can find...), on back of my Patton fan to cut down on it spraying dust and dirt around. It is truly amazing how much either filter material catches in just one month of fan running good part of day.

 

[qsd-dan]

The rattle sound is the cage. If you spend a great amount of time tracing it down while it's running, you can find and eliminate it. I vaguely remember using several bread twist ties to fix it. Before that, I used the "wacking" method that Launderss describes.

 

[rp2813]

The filter is an excellent idea!  I may have some washable filter material that can be cut to fit. 

 

I don't recall my smaller U.S.A. Patton being so jittery or noisy.  This one I have now seems like it will only get worse over time, but we shall see how far I can get into the motor for a possible diagnosis.  Alas, I don't think the GE logo on it stands for much.

 

Dan, I do think the cage is part of the problem, but it's tightly zip-tied together all the way around.  Sometimes when the fan has been running for a while, the cage will start to make a ringing sound.  Why that happens when it does, or in spite of the zip ties, I have no idea.