Fan Bearing Grease

Oversized bearings can be lightly loaded and fail.

Fan bearing grease.

Mistake 1 lubricating is based on time instead of condition. During rotation of a bearing the grease is mechanically worked and a change in consistency may result. Stated as a number of hours l10 life indicates the life expectancy with 90 confidence that the bearings will meet the expectation. Nlgi 3 is about the consistency of vegetable shortening.

The higher the speed the more problematic they become. Induced draft products lubricate the bearings at least every three months. Nlgi 2 is about the consistency of peanut butter. Bearings depend on grease to reduce friction levels.

On some early models like turek friction drive fans a single ball bearing packed with grease was used to suspend the vertical rotor. Some primitive fans like belt drive fans and very early electric models used grease packed babbit bearings. Typical ceiling fans like emerson s use oil immersed ball bearings mounted a race. This property is known as the mechanical stability of the grease and is measured in standardized tests astm d217 and or astm d1831.

Seasonal shutdown and start up when shutting your unit down for an extended period and before starting up after an extended shutdown always purge the fan shaft bearings with new grease. Fan shaft bearing maintenance ball bearings. Oil lubrication is preferred over grease for bearings. Fan bearing maintenance helps increase longevity and potential to reach the fan bearing s full l10 life.

Able to handle light to moderate loads at high speeds this grease is often used on electric motor bearings for fans pumps and dryers. Fans and blowers are simple pieces of equipment yet require a lot of maintenance particularly for bearings. Mineral oil based grease derived from petroleum is more economical than synthetic oil. It offers a wide temperature range shear resistance corrosion inhibitors and extreme pressure lubrication.

The oil to use in lubricating a ceiling fan s bearings is very specific. Nlgi viscosity grade is a rating of a grease s consistency. Greases that soften may leak from the bearing cavity. Dow molykote g 0010 multipurpose bearing grease is a polyurea thickened material used for electrical motors water pump and fan bearings and dryers.

Proper pillow block and seal selection help avoid bearing problems. On the same note lubricant systems in ball bearing fans which are based on grease channeling can fail slowly over time causing a gradual increase in noise particularly at high temperatures.