I have a home air exchanger that has a couple of small shaded pole motor fans and due to seizing periodically I have tried to lubricate them but ended up replacing due to eventual seizing etc.

On the last instance I thought I would attempt a more in-depth repair, the material that was intended to lubricate and keep the bearings lubricated was powdered, probably due to the heat, not the customary felt that I have seen before.
I decided to use felt pads to retain the lubricant, on the question of lubricant I decided to try Transmission fluid as this retains its properties even when very hot.
Also a couple of the rotor bars had shown sign of heating, probably as a result of the stall.
The windings still appeared in operable state without sign of heating.
Will see if this extends their life somewhat and the T.F. works!
Max.

 

I open all new motors and pack the bearing areas with clothes dryer lint, obtained when washing a new bag of cotton shop towels.
My transmission instructor told me, "Transmission fluid is a good grade of oil with some red dye and a lot of detergent."
I recently experienced some Mercon V
It is so slippery that you can bet on dropping at least one quart bottle and wearing at least half a pint.

 

I open all new motors and pack the bearing areas with clothes dryer lint, obtained when washing a new bag of cotton shop towels.
My transmission instructor told me, "Transmission fluid is a good grade of oil with some red dye and a lot of detergent."
I recently experienced some Mercon V
It is so slippery that you can bet on dropping at least one quart bottle and wearing at least half a pint.

Hee hee....definitely the voice of experience.

I remember building my first shady pole motor as a kid. The theory of these is still pretty amazing....never would have thought of it myself!

 

I open all new motors and pack the bearing areas with clothes dryer lint, obtained when washing a new bag of cotton shop towels.

I used some $ Store felt pads used for placing under trophy stands etc to avoid scratching furniture, these avoid shredding and getting into the bearings.
Max.

 

Use straight 30wt motor oil in a hypo needle. Way back when I was the service manager for a company that made record players and tape recorders for schools. We had shaded pole motors in service by the thousands and tried every lube one can imagine.

 

. We had shaded pole motors in service by the thousands and tried every lube one can imagine.

Did you try A.T.F.?


"Modern ATF typically contains a wide variety of chemical compounds intended to provide the required properties of a particular ATF specification. Most ATFs contain some combination of additives that improve lubricating qualities, such as anti-wear additives, rust and corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dispersants and surfactants (which protect and clean metal surfaces); kinematic viscosity and viscosity index improvers and modifiers, seal swell additives and agents (which extend the rotational speed range and temperature range of the additives' application); anti-foam additives and anti-oxidation compounds to inhibit oxidation and "boil-off"
Max.

 

Can't remember this was back in the early 70's. I know we tried gun oil and remember 3-N-1 oil being one of the worst for gumming up the works. Usually took a year or two for the test subjects to make it back to us. You will know in a year or so how well the ATF worked.

 

Anything that reaches temps above 125 F is a candidate for Vaseline.
Getting it in there would require it to be applied to a warmed up motor though.

 

I know we tried gun oil

I used to use Gun oil, but the bearings in new fractional HP motors are so bad they started flashing the oil into flames.
However, I do have a bathroom fan that has been running for 38 years on Gun oil.
We're talking sintered bronze bushings here.
I tried T.F. to McGyver a fan motor until I got back the next day. Another fail.
I'd like to hear if straight 30 weight works for a shaded pole motor.

 

On re-assembly found the thermal cut out was open, usually they reset on cooling, but this had blown open.
With it shorted motor runs OK with a test
Managed to drive it out and now waiting for replacement.
Max.