Can't find a capacitor for a ceiling fan

[Capt Jack]

Our 3 speed fan burned up the triple capacitor and I can't find a
replacement. It's a 4.5 - 5 - 6 uF / 250-280V. Home Depot has dual and
single caps but not with the correct values. No luck with other local
electrical stores. I haven't been able to determine the fan brand name
(possibly Sears?) as it was installed before we bought the house. Any ideas?
TIA,
Jack

[Scott E. Thompson]

What values do they have at HD ??
Also check with Graingers
You could use a 6 uF [microfarad].
Your fan burned the capacitor ? Wow !! must have been stuck trying to start for some time
!!
Good luck.
Scott.
P.S. Please reply by E-Mail, as I am having difficulty reading newsgroup feeds [my ISP's
news server is having trouble at this time and has been for the last week].

Capt Jack wrote:

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This Was Sent By:
Scott Thompson / Thompson Electric
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PC # 2

[S Unger]

Yes, here is an idea.
Just pull out the capacitor and route the hot directly to the fan motor. It
will run at high.
Buy & install a newer type click-stop fan control which will mount in or by
the wall switch. These are designed to work with the capacitance-type speed
control and have 3 or 4 speeds.. They work pretty well.

[Dick]

Jack, hunt them online. Do a search for capacitors. Go to
http://google.com for probably the best search engine out there.

Dick

[sled]

That is an "oddball" capacitor. W.W.Grainger does not sell them
nor will an electric motor repair shop. We are an electric motor
repair shop. That capacitor is a start capacitor, that's what
starts the motor. Also, are you sure the capacitor is bad?

Have you tried "Dan's Fan City". Thats all they sell, ceiling
fans.

Good luck
Barry
www.electricmotorwarehouse.com
electric motors on line

Purchase electric motors online at discount prices on our website
http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/
Barry
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[Scott E. Thompson]

Are you sure that's a start capacitor ??
Ceiling fans are normally PSC motors and the Capacitor along with the split phase are
always connected to line current throughout the operation of the motor.
Not only that, but a 6 Microfarad start capacitor is kind of small.
Scott.

sled wrote:

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[Capt Jack]

I don't know what this cap's purpose is, "sled" may. I was thinking it could
be speed control. I do know it's plastic casing is melted. Rather than spend
a couple of hundred to replace the whole fan I thought to try another cap
for ~$5-10 to see if that was a good fix.
Jack
--

Scott E. Thompson wrote:
> Are you sure that's a start capacitor ?? Ceiling fans are normally PSC
motors and the Capacitor along with the split phase are always connected to
line current throughout the operation of the motor. Not only that, but a 6
Microfarad start capacitor is kind of small. Scott.
>

> sled wrote: ....That capacitor is a start capacitor, that's what starts

[Tony Miklos]

Capt Jack wrote:
>
> I don't know what this cap's purpose is, "sled" may. I was thinking it could
> be speed control. I do know it's plastic casing is melted. Rather than spend
> a couple of hundred to replace the whole fan I thought to try another cap
> for ~$5-10 to see if that was a good fix.

I saw a cap like this in my fans and yes, it is used as a inexpensive
speed control. (I used a similar setup to dim some neon beer signs, if
you try it, make sure the voltage rating is over 400volts) Does it run
on the "high" setting? It should if only the cap is bad. (in mine
anyway)
--
Tony