Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Username: Password:

Author Topic: Blower on Opt 250 making noise  (Read 3358 times)

jrider

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 122
  • OWF Brand: Portage and Main
  • OWF Model: Optimizer 250
    • View Profile
Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« on: January 07, 2015, 04:28:59 AM »

Title pretty much sums this up.  I go out this morning to load the boiler and I hear a muffled/low screaming sound coming from the boiler.  When I open up the back panels, I can tell it's coming from the blower.  Blower is still working fine, just not sounding good.  Has anyone else encountered this?  Am I looking at a replacement in my near future and if so, is it something I should order from P&M?  Figures this would have to be on my mind during the coldest air of the season.  But this is year 4 and it has run flawlessly up to this point. 
Am also thinking, if I have to order another blower, should I order another pump while I at it just to have around?
Logged

James

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 54
  • OWF Brand: Portage & Main
  • OWF Model: Optimizer 250
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2015, 04:53:14 AM »

My fan has made that same noise since about this time last year.  Seems to get worse when it's "wicked" cold outside.  I bought two - one to replace the one making the noise (even though it's still working perfectly fine right now) and one to have on the shelf.

If you choose not to buy from P&M - there are other options.  Either google Marathon O701 or:

http://www.amazon.com/Marathon-O701-Motor/dp/B007ZQL9CU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420377475&sr=8-1&keywords=marathon+O701
« Last Edit: January 07, 2015, 04:55:38 AM by James »
Logged

hondaracer2oo4

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1471
  • OWF Brand: Heatmaster. Past Hardy
  • OWF Model: G200. Past H4
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2015, 07:36:11 AM »

Holy smokes! That is a heavy duty looking fan motor!
Logged

Sloppy_Snood

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 511
  • OWF Brand: Portage & Main
  • OWF Model: BL 34-44 Shaker
  • "Welcome to second place." - Steve Conover
    • View Profile
    • Indian Creek Shooting Systems
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2015, 09:09:30 AM »

It is the blower motor bearing(s).  Nothing to do except let it go (if it is a sealed bearing assembly).
Logged
NWP 49mm Short Block-modified Stihl 029 Farm Boss
Harbor Freight 20-ton Dual-Direction Log Splitter
2006 Chevy 2500 3/4-ton 2WD
New Holland TC33D 4WD

mlappin

  • Fabricator Extraordinaire
  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4140
  • OWF Brand: homebuilt, now HeatmasterSS
  • OWF Model: Martin Steel Works Gen 1 then, now a G200.
  • North Liberty, Indiana
    • View Profile
    • Altheatsolutions
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2015, 09:20:34 AM »

A good motor shop might be able to replace the bearings, not sure if it's worth it compared to the cost of a new motor. Labor will most likely be more than the bearings.
Logged
Stihl 023
Stihl 362
Stihl 460
Sachs Dolmar 112 and 120
Homemade skid steer mounted splitter, 30" throat, 5" cylinder
Wood-Eze model 8100 firewood processor

HeatmasterSS dealer for Northern Indiana

Winalov

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 11
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2015, 07:39:13 PM »

Hallo James, Have you actually installed any of the Marathon Motors ?
My motor crying for help for a while,  I need to put it out of its misery .
BTW. For allegedly high quality  P&M products. I have an impression
that  blowers are truly  very soft spot.
Logged

jreimer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 153
  • OWF Brand: Portage and Main
  • OWF Model: Optimizer 250
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2015, 07:57:30 PM »

Yup, mine screams like a frozen cat going through a band saw every now and then.  It is worse when it's really cold outside.  I have a new motor on the shelf that I bought from the factory waiting to go in when this one fails. 

BTW I'm on my third year.

Keep burning those solar batteries and stay warm!
Logged
Shindaiwa 488
GMC Duramax 2500HD
Homemade splitter
Portage and Main Optimizer 250
Kubota B7500 w/loader
An understanding wife

James

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 54
  • OWF Brand: Portage & Main
  • OWF Model: Optimizer 250
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2015, 05:12:06 AM »

Hallo James, Have you actually installed any of the Marathon Motors ?
My motor crying for help for a while,  I need to put it out of its misery .
BTW. For allegedly high quality  P&M products. I have an impression
that  blowers are truly  very soft spot.

I'm 99% sure the Marathon motor in the Amazon link is the exact same one that came OEM on the O-250.

If you're asking about the technical difficulty of installing the motor, no, I haven't had to swap mine yet - but according to other guys who have, it only takes about an hour.
Logged

Winalov

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 11
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2015, 12:53:09 PM »

James thank you.
I love your honest answer,
Just curious how much of wood are people burning during the season.
I have to load my O-250 3 times during 24 hrs period.
Now with 8 - 18 F temp levels it takes about 10  cubic feet. which is approx.  2 wheelbarrows.
How does it sound 8) for you?
Logged

coolidge

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1409
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2015, 12:58:41 PM »

I have been loading full at night with hardwood and using half a load of pine during the day.
Logged
Western Maine

Winalov

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 11
    • View Profile
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2015, 01:27:47 PM »

Hmmm, Cool where are you located ? Its not northern Florida? isn't it  :) ?
Seriously speaking what are the temps @ your location?
Simple reason I am bringing it up ? I have the feeling I have been burning too much wood.
BTW. 3100 sqf is the total heated area .
Logged

dwneast77

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 253
  • OWF Brand: Central Boiler; Wood Doctor
  • OWF Model: E-Classic 2300; HE10000
    • View Profile
    • HeatherWood Gardens
Re: Blower on Opt 250 making noise
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2015, 09:01:11 PM »

I have 8 greenhouses which use blowers similar to these to inflate the 2 layers of plastic which cover them.  I've never actually seen the blower on the Opt. 250, but the one on my CB2300 is exactly the same as I use for my greenhouses.  Used to get 5 to 7 years out of them running 24/7.  Went through a time recently where I was only getting about 2 years.  The newest ones I have now are a bit different in appearance and seem to be lasting a bit longer (thumbs up), but as soon as the temp gets down to around 20 or below they start to whine terribly.  Pretty annoying.  I will note I did have to change the blower on my CB a couple of years ago and that one is quiet so far.
Logged
Eastern Maine (near Calais)
Central Boiler E-2300
Wood Doctor HE10000
Stihl 290 Farmboss
Craftsman 27 ton Splitter
JD 870 Tractor