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Electrical Wiring

Broan Bath Fan Motor Hum

14 years ago

Ok, I have three 20 year old Broan bath fans in my home...50CFM and 2 sone according to the label. Two had been ramping up to speed slowly. I cleaned them...no better. I called Broan. Very nice lady but I had issues finding the exact replacement. I went to Lowes and they had a motor / impeller set for $15 that fit my unit exactly. I hooked it up.

The fan blowing sounds about the same but the new motor (and I tried 2) make a humming noise that gets amplified in the housing when in place. If I turn the motor upside down it goes away...of course you can not mount it like that.

Its possibly so annoying because when used in my bedroom's master bath, if I leave it on after a shower and go lay in bed...it sounds just like the garage door opening below us.

Any ideas? Is this just a case of they don't make them like they used too? It definely vibrate more than the old and none of my other fans have this hummmmmmm....unless they are all just wore out.

I see they sell quieter fans but we do want some noise in there for privacy...just not a hummmmmmmmmmmmm.AND was hoping to avoid reducting a new fan.

Thoughts?

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Comments (6)

velvetfoot
14 years ago
I've been messing around changing my bath fan lately. 2 sones is low. The old under soffit vent had a screen with it that was almost blocked. That restriction of air flow makes the fan louder, but I don't know about humming. You don't have a dimmer on it do you?
andrelaplume2
Original Author
14 years ago
no, you can actually hear the hummm if you simply plug the motor (without the impellor) into any outlet. That sound gets amplified when you put the motor up in the vent space.

I wonder if this motor is rated 2 sones? Maybe the hummmm is apparent on cheaper motors...I am going to call broan.
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jake2007
14 years ago
Of course the joke that comes to mind is that it hums because it doesn't know the words.

Really, I think it's the quality of the motor, bearings, etc.
The only other thing is not being balanced.
andrelaplume2
Original Author
14 years ago
My response from Broan was that it was their cheapest motor...yet they do not make another better one so I guess I'll have to rip the housing out and start over. I really hope a new one does not have the hum. As far as being balanced, the only time the motor is silent is when you hold it upside down! Is there any other bath fan company out there? I do not think I can get used to this.
rjoh878646
14 years ago
If you are ripping it out get a panasonic fan. It is so quiet you will forget its on.
fa_f3_20
14 years ago
Just my opinion, but from my experience, Broan = cheap and flimsy. Try looking at fans from Panasonic.

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