Blower motor stopped working, coincidence?

[Speed Demon]

So I was running the vacuum cleaner last night and smelled something burning or burnt. Thought it was the vacuum cleaner. No the HVAC blower motor quit.

Is it possible that running the vacuum could have caused a voltage spike or had something to do with the blower motor problem or purely coincidental?

I haven't had a chance to fully troubleshoot the system since it was 11:30 last night when it happened. (I know it says no DIY. I used to work for JCI and UL. Think I can handle it.)

[yelram]

So I was running the vacuum cleaner last night and smelled something burning or burnt. Thought it was the vacuum cleaner. No the HVAC blower motor quit.

Is it possible that running the vacuum could have caused a voltage spike or had something to do with the blower motor problem or purely coincidental?

I haven't had a chance to fully troubleshoot the system since it was 11:30 last night when it happened. (I know it says no DIY. I used to work for JCI and UL. Think I can handle it.)

The fact that you have to ask that kinda proves you cant.

[coolwhip]

Maybe a solar flare caused the problem.

[yelram]

Maybe a solar flare caused the problem.

I think he overheated the flux capacitor and caused a warp drive malfunction.

[thunderglass]

Please eject the warp core and step away.

In reality one has nothing to do with the other.

[rdave]

i don't know why they are giving you the run around, make sure the muffler bearings are still good if so better get a new thingamajiggy

[chucko615]

Oh my, I can't believe all the bad information you guys are giving. Even a blindman can see it's the rotaryfizz pin.

[Shophound]

So I was running the vacuum cleaner last night and smelled something burning or burnt. Thought it was the vacuum cleaner. No the HVAC blower motor quit.

Is it possible that running the vacuum could have caused a voltage spike or had something to do with the blower motor problem or purely coincidental?

I haven't had a chance to fully troubleshoot the system since it was 11:30 last night when it happened. (I know it says no DIY. I used to work for JCI and UL. Think I can handle it.)

I call JCI if my DX-9100 takes a dump. Or the ADS. Or an NAE. Or...:D

As for the vacuum cleaner, does it have a hose attachment with a brush, and did that brush ever see the blower wheel blades and the motor ventilation ports? It's opposite of your proposed scenario...a vacuum cleaner preventing a blower motor from burning out vs. causing it.

To directly answer your question (who vacuums at 11:30 at night, anyway? :D), and this is strrrreeeetttcchhhheeeeennnnggg it, regarding the vacuum as a possible cause would be this: blower wheel and blower motor caked with dirt and dust. Blower motor precariously on the edge of taking a dump for several weeks, now. It's been running hotter than the Fourth of July and the motor windings are nearing well-done. Homeowner lights off vacuum cleaner. Piss poor wiring of house causes voltage drop at blower motor due to vacuum cleaner wheezing away, sucking precious power from blower motor. Blower motor receives call for cooling due to heat from vacuum cleaner exhaust heating up hallway where thermostat is. When blower motor attempts to wind up to speed, due to insufficient available voltage its windings go from well-done to charcoal broiled. House stinks up and homeowner stops vacuuming, wondering if he jammed the beater bar on the vacuum, causing it to stall, causing the drive belt to start smoking against the motor spindle...oh wait a minute, the a/c blower motor quit running! Sorry, got off track. :D

[Mr Bill]

It's a long shot but I know our high powered vacuum when you kick that thing on it dims the lights but it will also almost suck the carpet up off the floor, so "if" the furnace was on the same circuit as the plug the vac was plugged into I guess it "might" be possible that the voltage to the motor could have dropped low enough to do damage to the blower motor, it a long shot but I have seen stranger things in life trust me.

[tpa-fl]

IF it was the vacuum that did it, the actual problem started long before last night and the vacuum was just "the final straw." Still thinking it's more of a coincidence. What kind of vacuum? Maybe I need to get one of those.

[Mr Bill]

IF it was the vacuum that did it, the actual problem started long before last night and the vacuum was just "the final straw..


And I totally agree.

[beenthere]

(I know it says no DIY. Think I can handle it.)


But you think your special enough for the rules to be broken for you. :(

[Twilly]

Maybe the vacuum sucked the smoke out of the motor. Johnstone had a re-smoking kit for small motors. See if they sell to unlicensed people. What was i thinking Johnstones???? Of course they will

[Mr Bill]

. re-smoking kit for small motors. .

A re-smoking kit now I have finally heard it all. :eek: :D

[jrbenny]

Thanks for visiting Speedy. As you can see, the boys ain't gonna bend the rules for ya. Either figure it on your own or pick up the phone.

Thread closed.

[rohalon]

Maybe he has an infloor return he pushed the vacuum over and it sucked the air so hard it made the blower motor stall and draw locked rotor amps till it popped a winding.

[jmac00]

Thanks for visiting Speedy. As you can see, the boys ain't gonna bend the rules for ya. Either figure it on your own or pick up the phone.

Thread closed.


darn it Jr. I had a funny vacuum cleaner story to :( :(

[wconell]

I've never seen so many dumb answers! I quess it's up to me to help this man!
What happened is the vacume operates on 120v single phase, the blower is 240v two phases. You lost a phase at the 240v circuit when the 120v single phase was used up and the other phase had to move to the 120v outlet to compensate for the overloaded and lost phase.
:eek: What did I just say?:eek:

:D:D:D

[jrbenny]

Well, I'll let you tell the story. Then, I'll close it.

[Speed Demon]

Thanks, I fixed it already jackasses.
I didn't ask anyone to tell me how to fix it, now did I.

Thanks to the two that actually tried to answer the question that I asked.

Glad I could stir up the hornets nest.:D

[bltinnc]

I've never seen so many dumb answers! I quess it's up to me to help this man!
What happened is the vacume operates on 120v single phase, the blower is 240v two phases. You lost a phase at the 240v circuit when the 120v single phase was used up and the other phase had to move to the 120v outlet to compensate for the overloaded and lost phase.
:eek: What did I just say?:eek:

:D:D:D

not so still single phase, just 240 volt if one phase goes out the voltage would only decrease

[wconell]

Thanks, I fixed it already jackasses.
I didn't ask anyone to tell me how to fix it, now did I.

Thanks to the two that actually tried to answer the question that I asked.

Glad I could stir up the hornets nest.:D

BUZZZZZZZ! It was the phase thing I bet!:D:D:D:D
I was just kidding- there is no two phase...............it's four phases!

[Speed Demon]

Sorry, 120V single phase.

[sline-dawg]

Did you figure out the why..?

[jmac00]

okay cool!

The set-up:

1990, I was working for a large Famous Dept Store ( I won't mention Macy's name :eek: okay, it was Kaufman's back then) anyway, the maintenance crew consisted of me ( hvac) 2 master electricians, a plumber and a painter/carpenter. We were at the Dewitt store ( just outside Buffalo, NY)The store manager wanted a 120volt outlet put on a big cement column for the cleaning ladies.

I had chiller problems, so I was busy, the electricians had to run power and data lines to a couple of POS's ( nooo, not THAT POS---Point of sale registers) so they were busy, and the painter was an idiot, so that left the plumber to run an outlet ( duplex for the rest of you ) He had to run a EMT down the column from the ceiling ( which was 14' up) to a 2x4 box.

He did a beautiful job, very professional looking job. Unfortunately, the nice 400 pound cleaning lady plugged her vacuum into the outlet and turned it on. The vacuum SCREAMED for about 10 seconds before literally blowing up in a cloud of black smoke. It turned out the plumber tapped into a 277Volt lighting circuit, needless to say, it vaporized the vacuum cleaner. The poor cleaning lady started to cry, she thought she was going to have to buy a new vacuum cleaner:D :D :D :D I almost pee'd my pants I was laughing so hard

okay, now you can close the thread :D

[Speed Demon]

High fan speed (cooling) winding is toast. Toast is a really technical term.

120V AC is being sent out from board to blower motor when cooling (high fan speed) is called for.

Blower runs at all other speeds.

I imagine voltage drop from vacuum and A/C blower motor starting at same caused higher amp draw in motor windings.

Looks like the blower will be running on med-hi for tonight.

[bltinnc]

High fan speed (cooling) winding is toast. Toast is a really technical term.

120V AC is being sent out from board to blower motor when cooling (high fan speed) is called for.

Blower runs at all other speeds.

I imagine voltage drop from vacuum and A/C blower motor starting at same caused higher amp draw in motor windings.

Looks like the blower will be running on med-hi for tonight.

NO, LESS voltage less amps

[Mr Bill]

NO, LESS voltage less amps

So are you saying a 230 volt motor draws more amps than a 120 volt motor of the exact hp and rpm? not in Texas they don't. :D

[bltinnc]

no a 120 volt motor at reduced voltage draws less amps

[bltinnc]

So are you saying a 230 volt motor draws more amps than a 120 volt motor of the exact hp and rpm? not in Texas they don't. :D


a 230 volt motor draws one half the amps same hp

[Twilly]

Why didn't he give me credit, I bet he went to the Stone and got the kit.