The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Heater fan

In anticipation of winter, I have been working on my 58's deluxe heater. I think I've got most of it done, but am having trouble with the fan. It turns when I turn the key (235 with a pedal to start) and the lever doesn't change the speed.
Did I wire it backwards or is the switch failing somehow? Any help will be greatly appreciated--even more so in a couple of months...

Can you take pictures of how you did wire it, and or make a diagram?

If on all the time with ignition on and fan switch does nothing then yes it is wired wrong. Without seeing I'm not sure exactly what to suggest beyond look at and rethink how it should be wired, test switch functions with meter to show you how it should work.

This should help.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/accessories/1951am/51aim40.htm

Thanks Ed and Grig.

I used the accessories manual from 1955. Attatched the brown wire to the passenger side terminal and ran power from the accessory terminal on the ignition switch to a junction box then to the driver side terminal.
I took a picture as you suggested, and see that the cardboard sheathed wire coils came disconnected during installation and seem to be shorting across the two terminals. That's probably my problem, no?
Haven't figured out how to attacha picture. I'll do that in a bit, I imagine.

[image]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_4kZkWEpG3wXzZ5ZHhyWGs3VlpzRzRBVVE0Zi0xUElsdVJR/view?usp=sharing[/image]

Is this something I can repair? (I have a soldering iron and multimeter) I'll look to see if I can buy one. Is there an alternate?

I'm not familiar with that switch or model truck but looks to be a resistor for lower speed and it looks kaput.
At a minimum you could remove it and probably have high speed only. Later replace the broken parts.

that looks pretty much how it should be, as seen here in the repro switch available from the vendors [see EL74 here ] .... and here's the install guide from '57, which should allow you to sort out the wiring

Bill

I thought looked like the resistor was riveted to the back of the switch and now half torn off, thus kaput?

Thanks for the good pictures and a source, Bill. I found the entire unit on LMC, but it was around $240...

I think you're right, Grigg. As it was, it was jumped past the resistor ( I didn't know that's what it was), so highspeed only, as you said. This is a driver, I don't suppose a modern resistor is a viable option here?

I'll pull it out again and see if it's re-attachable, but it looks pretty rusted. If not, it's not too cold in Indiana yet, so I can wait for a part I guess.

A later-type speed control resistor could be adapted, one that sits in the airflow from the fan to keep the connectors from melting. It would require some creative wiring and possibly the addition of a high/low speed toggle switch hidden somewhere under the dash. That would involve cutting a small rectangular hole in the blower duct work to mount the resistor.
Jerry

Sounds like more work than it's worth. I'll just order the replacement. Thanks for the help!

Your choice- - - -the resistors I'm talking about are on Ebay for about 10 bucks, brand new.
Jerry

Or just use the fan on high or off.

As far as wire lugs or connectors go, they make a hi-temp nickel connector. Available at an appliance repair store.