Sears Homart Belt Drive Window Fans.

[volvoguy87]

I just lucked into 2 good-condition Sears Homart Belt-Driven window fans. The fans are awaiting cleanup and lubrication right now, but I do have an issue with one of them that will need to be solved. The belt is broken! How do I determine what belt to buy to replace it?

They seem like good fans. I did try the one with the intact belt briefly and it moved some SERIOUS air. It was also pleasantly quiet. The motors are huge and the fans weigh a ton. Not easily moved, but worth the effort.

Now, where can I get that belt?
Dave

 

[travis]

Go to NAPA

 

[reversajet]

Better try...

a custom belt mfr. or appliance parts house. Using an auto engine belt is not recommended as they are usually too inflexible and will damage the motor bearings in time. You will not be as lucky finding a replacement motor that fits. Specify a "fractional horsepower" belt and tighten just enough to avoid slippage.

 

[hydralique]

If you aren't able to find an exact replacement belt and have to "make do" with something that has a less than perfect fit then add a little belt dressing; as noted above a too-tight belt can damage bearings and the belt dressing allows less tension without slippage.

 

You might also check into Polyflex belts. These are narrower and more flexible than standard V-belts and designed to accommodate high speed pulleys. They are used in some automotive applications but aren't what I'd call mainstream car stuff.

 

These sound like neat fans, maybe you can snap a pic?

 

[sambootoo]

Those are GREAT fans, got a couple of them myself. May I suggest taking the belt off the fan that has one, take that to the parts or hardware store to get your replacement. As already mentioned, specify fractional horsepower belt.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I remember those from my childhood. They were a pleasant shade of light gray/blue as I remember. They were in the windows of my kindergarten in the days before air conditioning. We had a Berns Air King fan that was not electrically reversible, but the air flow could be reversed by loosening a black knob on the center top of the housing which then allowed the whole motor and blade unit to be pivoted around to select intake or exhaust.

 

[cfz2882]

homart pic

there is a great homart pic in the vintage fan thread.

 

[westingman123]

I have four (yes, four) of them, and I love them all. Each one takes the same belt, #3L370, 3/8" x 37" size. I get them at my local hardware store, the brand they carry is PIX.

You'll be amazed at the air these babies move--I don't even have to use the attic fan most of the time. Enjoy!

 

[volvoguy87]

A Thousand Thanks Westingman123!

I'm still working on getting my camera back from my roommate, but thanks so much for the belt info. I'll look into getting one ASAP! The one with the belt did move a ton of air when I tested it, and I look forward to running them both. Mine are a tan color, but are the older case shape with the curved upper section, as opposed to the angled one.

Dave

 

[westie2]

My in-laws had two of these also andthey used them where they blew out of the windows so others could be opened to help cool the rest of the house kinda like an attice fan. Worked great until weather got too hot. Then they would use their big swamp cooler. I grew up with central heat and air.

Come to think of it had an aunt and uncle that had one in their home and used it the same way only on the oppsite side of the house they had builtin water pads that had a pump that they used to cool the house. This area was in dry southwest Oklahoma.