Air handler fan motor lubrication?

[MikeP]

As a result of my recent exhaust blower maint I got to thinking about the air handler blowers and associated lubrication. I have never taken a look at the air handlers to see if they are lubricated with an oil hole/cap or if the blower assy has to be taken apart to get oil to the bearings/bushings.

None of mine are noisy but since I have never lubricated them, it would seem that it's time! Anybody know if oil can be added or is disassembly required? On my exhaust blowers, the DC blowers had to be disassembled, the AC blowers had oil holes (why that is the case, I have NO idea).

 

[Boatsb]

DC blowers like bilge blowers? If so I think they are sealed to protect from sparks. Then again just because it makes sense does not mean it works.

 

[MikeP]

Yes, I hadn't thought about that; I'm sure you're right. The eng room/genny room DC blowers were sealed, the ac exhaust blowers for the heads had the oil holes. So I'm hoping the air handler blowers have oil holes as well. It's not that hard to access the one under the forward dinette cushion but it was easier to ask the question sitting here with a cup of coffee than it is to actually go look!

 

[risctaker]

Where are those A/C exhaust blower motors located for the heads? Sounds like a job I need to do . I see the exhaust grills in the heads, but where are the actual motors? Thanks
Steve

 

[MikeP]

In our 53, the forward head blower is accessible (more or less) through the upper level of galley dish cabinet on the forward, port side of the galley. The guest head blower is located in the starboard eng room - it's the easy one! The Master head blower is inside a compartment in the master SR, on the starboard side at the forward end of the counter top. There is an access panel with 4 screws. The bow one is the worst access-wise though you can reach it for oiling. Removal is a bit more troublesome!

I have discovered that the air handler blowers do NOT have oil holes so the squirrel-cage assembly has to be removed from the handler, the squirrel cage removed from the motor, the motor removed from the housing, and then opened up to get access to the motor's end bearing/bushing.

 

[risctaker]

Thanks, Mike. Very helpful