Replace a bathroom exhaust motor

RPM = 2000

1.27Amps

Yes, you could; you have ample information to compare electrically to a replacement motor too. The rpm is probably a no-load rpm, so make sure you compare apples and oranges, but the current can be higher within reason. If you get a choice between continuous duty and short cycle duty go for the continuous; it'll last longer. Make sure rotation is the same direction since you already have the fan blade. Go for the no-oil/maintenance type, "Class 2" or "Class II" if possible (same thing, they just label it differently). It means it doesn't rely on an earth ground for safety even though you still want to use an earth ground if any metal parts are exposed in any way whatsoever.

Depending on where you live you could probably call a few fix-it shops and luck out rather easily finding a motor that'd work. I've got a garage half full of probably suitable motors, but I can tell from your posting you're nowhere near me.

I have to wonder though; it's probably *much* easier to just pull out the old and slip in a brand new one than to frog around replacing the motor and any jury rigs it might require. Why can't you just replace it? It'd be a lot less work in the end. And faster to get done. Nutone makes some handy ones for easy installs; can't think of the others right now.

Whatever you do, be certain the Earth Gnd connections are tight and proper when you're done.

Your main problem will be:

A replacement motor will cost you about as much as an entire new unit.

I would replace the entire fan assembly. A simpler one can be picked up for $20 or $40 if you want it quieter. If you measure it carefully and get lucky, you might find one that fits the existing frame. Otherwise install the one that comes in the package.

Attaching the fan to the motor's shaft without disturbing the fan's balance sounds like an impossible task and an off-balance fan's noise can make you miserable real fast.

End of my 2c. \//.

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replying to DA, imhk wrote: This is an old thread and the answer may not be of much help to the original poster. Nevertheless, it may be of interest to others at time of need.

I live in Toronto, Canada. I ran into similar trouble when the fan in one of my washroom died. It was an AIRA VSB-X50. There was no replacement available in HOME DEPOT, LOWES or RONA to fit the original size. I got a suppossedly compatibale NUTONE unit at HOME HARDWARE but eventually found out that it did not fit. In the mean time, I was able to remove the original fan-motor assembly. When I went to return the NUTONE unit at the local outlet of HOME HARDWARE, I had the original dead item with me. The salesman took notice of that and suggested that he can give me exactly that. Some of the stuff they carry are not always listed online. The item he gave me is a nameless generic stuff but identical to the original thing. Eventually I found out another location where replacement fan-motor assemblies of AIRA VSB models are available. Depending on where you live, there might be some home improvement or hardware store which will carry the replacement. You probably need to keep looking for it.

*Try giving Broan-Nutone a call (Broan.com, on the Parts page is a toll free number). I can't remember the brand, but a few years ago I needed a replacement motor for an odd brand and they had it, but it wasn't listed on their web site. The fan had a plastic housing instead of the usual metal can.

Another possibility is Grainger. They sell generic replacement motors.

As others have mentioned, you could remove the motor and take it somewhere that stock replacements and try and match it up.

I always get a new fan impeller blade as the old ones can be a PITA to remove and sometimes break in the process.

If it comes down to replacing the entire unit, go with Panasonic. Their fans are the only ones that are made for retrofitting though it is still a bit of a challenge.

John Grabowski

| | I live in Toronto, Canada. I ran into similar trouble when the fan in one | of my washroom died. It was an AIRA VSB-X50. There was no replacement | available in HOME DEPOT, LOWES or RONA to fit the original size.

I've ordered an exact replacement motor online for a Nutone. Unfortunately, it was as expensive as a new fan and took some time to get. So it's a tradeoff: The hassle and expense of a replacement fan or the ceiling repair required to just repace the whole thing. The former is usually less expensive overall, but with the latter you also get a nice, new cover and lens. In any case, I think just about any part can be found online these days. It just may not be easy to find the part you need for cheap.

I seem to have missed this post, so i have to reply here. I used to miss quite a few, but with Eternal September, I've missed only one other afaik, just a few weeks ago.

Anyhow, I think a good source for a matching motor is to buy another fan and take its motor out. The guy who sold me the house, built in 1979, saved all the paperwork, including the "instructions" for the bathroom fan, but it's in a file cabinet and I don't remember what brand it is. But the motor unplugs electrically, just like a lamp and uses two screws to be mounted, and they are shaded pole motors available in lots of places, (just one size bigger than what I needed for the antique fan we discussed here a couple years ago, but no one sells the smaller size.)

I'm not saying that's the kind of motor you have but I am saying there might be one just like it in another bathroom fan, and for about the same money The motor will probably spin the same direction, but if it doesn't you can use the blade that came with it, same with the shaft diameter and its blade.

mine had a bladed fan. Replaced it with the fan/blade assembly from a centrifugal fan unit. Had to drill a new mounting hole to get it to fit the bracket in the existing housing.

Take the fan assembly to home depot and ask them to find you a unit with a similar one. Pay close attention to the thickness. Newer quieter fans may be too thick to fit the existing box...or offset so the blade hits the box when mounted.

A squirrel cage? They are quieter. I like quiet.

I just unplugged two of my fans and put a switch in the 3rd one. I never take steamy showers, unless I'm trying to humidify the house. Maybe the OP doesn't really need his fan. ;-)

Yes, Grainger has a huge selection of motors. Match up the specs and determine whether you need clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.

Mayayana posted for all of us...

I thought that Nutone/Broan has a lifetime warranty on their stuff. Is this correct?

Nope.Varies by model, none lifetime.

next time go to 181-b rexdale is call inventex kipling&rexdade yo enter by rexdale they have everything and also retrofit anything

Tried Amre supply house? They have on-line catalog.

grainger USED sell only to businesses, but recently i was in a different grainger and they asked if I was a business account. mine is

they closed my local branch,

I was busy or would of asked them if they no longer required being a business to buy there.

a word to the wise about grainger.

they own a onlline company called zoro. the packaging part numbers and merchandise are identical. but the pices are dramatically better

I have the impression they don't.

One of the things wholesale places hate most is having to answer questions, and take returns that pros wouldn't return. If you can somehow give a wholesale place the impression you won't do either of these things, they might sell to you.

So people should look online, figure out what they want, order it, and if they go pick it up, don't ask a whole bunch of stupid questions, or even non-stupid ones.

With grainger, I had a friend with a business who let me use the business account to order. Then I paid cash when I picked it up, or I charged it on my own card. She left and someone in the family started running it. I tried to do the same thing, but before I knew it, it seemed like it was being billed to the business. I was able to pay after all, but I didnt' even want the business to know what I'd done, for fear of making hard feelings between my friend and the new person.

It seems I have logins for both her business account and my own account, though I don't remember creating the second one.

Thanks a lot.

Sounds like Warshawsky and JCWhitney. I think you had to go to the store to get Warshawsky prices.

merchandise are identical. but the pices are dramatically better

Yes, when I went looking for UV replacement bulbs for my Flowtron bug zapper Zoro had the lowest prices by far (had to order six, though) and I never was able to complete the transactions because there was something hinky about their website. I ended up paying a lot more for the damn things through Amazon. They send me a catalog from Zoro every now and then. I think their mascot is either a squirrel or a fox.

JC Whitney made their name selling cheap Chinese junk long before Harbor Freight cornered the market. I bought two jackstands from JC and the (poorly done) weld on one of them failed with the car up on them. From that day after I wouldn't slide under a car without it being up on sections of railroad ties. The failed weld made the most awful noise before it let go, giving me some warning. When my friend's truck actually caused one of the ties to start to split while we were changing the oil we then began reinforcing them with long carriage bolts with huge washers.

JC was the only place I could find at the time (way before the internet) that sold tires with the huge whitewalls that were popular for "touring saloons" like the Jag Mark X. It was a hard lesson in learning how much scuffing tires take in everyday life and how bad huge whitewalls look after a few months of real driving in the city.

I don't know how long it's been, but I've shopped at our local Grainger for years (10, maybe longer?)

I've never had a business account with them.

I also shop at the parts counters in the back of lighting stores and kitchen/bath design centers, amongst all the contractors. No business account but much cheaper and better selection than any home center. Also better help...much, much better, whether it comes from the guys behind the counter or one of the friendly contractors on my side.