Rhythmic Fan Humming is driving my customer crazy

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Clint623

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Westhoff, TX
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Owner
One of my customers has changed out fans in 3 rooms several times and each one gives the same rhythmic humming. It’s about to drive him out of the house, do y’all have any solutions? It won’t let me upload the video.


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ptonsparky said:
Is the support resonating?
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I did make sure that the box was tight up against the bracket. This is one of those jobs where my bid was too high and then the other guy ended up bailing so I finished it out. When I got in, Sheetrock was already up.


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AC and electronically commutated motors are so different that it's most likely a mechanical problem than an electrical one.
 
The original hunter fans were always humming especially if you used the speed control that they sold. The speed control was a rheostat style with infinite speeds rather than a 3 or 4 speed controller. Those infinite controls always made the fans hum.

In any case it does appear to be the speed control so disconnect it and wire it hot and see what happens.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
The original hunter fans were always humming especially if you used the speed control that they sold. The speed control was a rheostat style with infinite speeds rather than a 3 or 4 speed controller. Those infinite controls always made the fans hum.

In any case it does appear to be the speed control so disconnect it and wire it hot and see what happens.
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The fans were just installed with a decora sp switch. No speed control except the pull chain.

There is a dimmer switch next to it for the cans but that’s all

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has anyone tried to balance any of the fans? They come with little weights to put on the blades, don't they?
 
Do you know if the humming is coming from the fan motor? If so, maybe try replacing the 3 speed pullchain switch? I have been able to reduce noise sometimes by installing a rubber washer between the fan hanger bracket and the outlet box.
 
Rick 0920 said:
Do you know if the humming is coming from the fan motor? If so, maybe try replacing the 3 speed pullchain switch? I have been able to reduce noise sometimes by installing a rubber washer between the fan hanger bracket and the outlet box.
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I have taken the fan blades off and turn the fan on, and it does sound like it’s coming from the motor. The box is recessed up into the sheet rock just a little bit, but the fan is tight to the ceiling. Normally, I would just tell them to change out the fan and be done with it but he has already been through four fans in that room. With no results.


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Clint623 said:
I have taken the fan blades off and turn the fan on, and it does sound like it’s coming from the motor. The box is recessed up into the sheet rock just a little bit, but the fan is tight to the ceiling. Normally, I would just tell them to change out the fan and be done with it but he has already been through four fans in that room. With no results.


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The fact that so many fans have been replaced makes me think that the problem lies with outlet box and the fan support. I prefer a slight gap between the fan canopy and the ceiling. I would try the rubber washers and see if that helps reduce noise.
 
One thing we are leaving out of the equation.... Homeowner sensitivity-- but it appears Clint can hear it also... I had a customer whose hearing was so good that he was the only person who could hear the low voltage recessed cans humming. We could hear it up on the ladder... Anyway the salesman was warned about his sensitivity and he guaranteed the owner it would be fine. We ended up replacing all the magnetic transformers to electronic ones. This was long before LED's hit the scene.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
One thing we are leaving out of the equation.... Homeowner sensitivity-- but it appears Clint can hear it also... I had a customer whose hearing was so good that he was the only person who could hear the low voltage recessed cans humming. We could hear it up on the ladder... Anyway the salesman was warned about his sensitivity and he guaranteed the owner it would be fine. We ended up replacing all the magnetic transformers to electronic ones. This was long before LED's hit the scene.
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I can barely hear it, but that’s after years of Roto hammer’s gun shots, and whatever else. I go to my fans at home and I can stick my ear right up to them and not hear a thing.


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