Will a ceiling fan operate horizontally ??

[jCarroll]

Will a ceiling fan operate for an extended period of time when
mounted horizontally ??

For now, spare me the responses which say:
- what are you trying to do
- too dangerous
- buy a ventilating fan
- etc, etc

 

[PaGlenn]

They run OK horizontally. Might wobble if run vertically.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 11:50:18 09/01/11) Will a ceiling fan operate for an extended period of time when
mounted horizontally ??

For now, spare me the responses which say:
- what are you trying to do
- too dangerous
- buy a ventilating fan
- etc, etc

Probably would for awhile anyhow, but I think eventually the bearings would fail.

 

[Greenday]

Do you mean vertical because ceiling fans are generally mounted horizontally. Horizontal = flat like the horizon. Vertical = up and down like a wall

 

[Dean]

No.

Dean

 

[JMOR]

Old Hunter brand fans had an oil reservoir & if tilted too much the oil runs out all over the guy doing the tilting. Modern fans don't use oil reservoir, though.

 

[Sean Feeney]

Some of the better ones have a oil bath for bearings

I suggest getting a cheap box fan, sorry for sparing you with this response
Sean

 

[S2710]

I don't know about a ceiling fan but we have two box fans in the shop at work that are hanging in the ceiling for over 15 years and are never shut off. They are blowing air down to the floor. I would say if you have a ceiling fan and want to use it horizontally GO FOR IT.

Bob

 

[pete black]

just when you thought all the questions have been asked and just when you thought you had all the answers and then you come up with this one. man i don't the answer. mount one this way, record the date and then give us an update on occasion. thanks for the thought provoking question.

 

[jCarroll]

I had a very sturdy mount - no wobble nor vibration.
provided electric power at 105v , maybe 40cps with a PTO generator.
It ran for about 15 minutes - had it on slow speed.
Don't know why it stopped.

fan turns quite freely - bearings are not seized.

Expect to repeat this test in a couple days

 

[Anonymous-0]

OK, I know I am not suppose to ask, but what are you trying to do ? Does it involve duct tape ?

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 21:14:58 09/01/11) I had a very sturdy mount - no wobble nor vibration.
provided electric power at 105v , maybe 40cps with a PTO generator.
It ran for about 15 minutes - had it on slow speed.
Don't know why it stopped.

fan turns quite freely - bearings are not seized.

Expect to repeat this test in a couple days

know that you won't understand this or else you wouldn't be presenting this info and asking what happened, but.................

"105v , maybe 40cps "

40 CPS..........very bad! The magnetics are designed for 60 & if you apply a lower frequency, they saturate & when they saturate, the current skyrockets & wires burn. Or if you get lucky, it has a thermal sensor that opened the circuit before the burn.

 

[philWi.]

Will work as long as you or someone doesn't back into it !!!!!!!!!!!!! PHIL.

 

[GeneMO]

It will work, but may push the building sideways causing it to collapse.

Gene

 

[Leroy]

How are you going to get it to hang for vertical? They are mounted to a ball that will make it hang for horisantal even on a 45* slope ceiling so put the mount on a wall and it will want to piviot on that ball down to a horisantal position. Are you going to be able to come up with a way to prevent this?

 

[greygoat]

"RED GREENE" needed to answer this one!

 

[sws55]

E-mail your question to some ceiling fan manufacturers. They propably have already tested their products and will tell you which ones would work best for you, if there are any.

Include more information though or they will think it's just a crank question because ceiling fans normally hang vertically.

 

[dr sportster]

What ?

 

[dr sportster]

Of course you will need some duct tape . Order three rolls for this job.

 

[sotxbill]

pends on bearing design. some have only a thrust bearing and that carries the load only in the verticle position. others have only bushings, so they are cheap and really dont care as much but will fail earlier due to wear only on one side of the bushing. some might have dual roller bearings and will work well in any position.. so its a crap shoot.

as to the voltage and cycles.. the cycles might be very important.. the voltage probably not as much.. but early fan motors needed a scr to lower speed.. and it kept voltage high, cycles constant but trimed the pulse width.. so burning up the armature coils or field coils is probably your first challange... then bearing design would be the next in line..

and obviously the "old timer" from hunter with the oil bath and spiral groove driven oil pump is not a good choice for horizonal use.

 

[ink spot]

yes they will at least some will have a store here in town that has one going in its window for advertising and has been there foe severial years running Husker sew and vac

 

[MattE]

Seriously, How can you ask a question like that and not tell us what you're trying to accomplish. Just doesn't seem fair now does it?

 

[jCarroll]

Tomorrow is my Tractor Club parade at the Labor Day weekend festival. I'm taking my JD 320U which has a 4'x4' JD dealer sign mounted on the 3 pt with backlighting. I'm providing electricity for the sign lighting by pulling my 25KW PTO generator, and running the generator during the parade.

To add visual attraction I have mounted a ceiling fan to the front cultivator mount of the tractor. Replaced the original down rod with a fitting which screws into the cultivator mount, and tightly fits the fan motor shaft. Wiring is snaked behind the grill to the back of the tractor, and plugged into the generator. With alternating yellow and green blades, it looks like a JD airplane. I have red reflective tape on the blade tips as a sop to safety.

On my test run, I was running the generator about 2/3 throttle; hence my guess of 40cps. I measured 105v with my VOM.

To those who say I have too much time on my hands, I'll say this: I really enjoy looking at the ladies in sundresses who smile and wave as I drive by.

Wish I knew how to post pictures.

 

[Ralph, Ohio]

This project certainly calls for a picture!

 

[Dick2]

Think liability! If you don't have a cage around that fan, you are exposing yourself to way too much liaiblity.

It's a novelty and somebody will get too close to the fan. Just don't do it!!

 

[Ultradog MN]

There is a place in St Paul MN that sells those fans - Dan the Fan Man.
He has had a fan running horizontaly in the window of his store for at least 5 years - 24/7/365

 

[buickanddeere]

Save yourself the expense of repairs and always operate a generator at rated speed. Not only can you wreck electrical devices operating at low voltage and low frequency. You can also fail the generator voltage regulator by operating at max output and reduced cooling air flow.
If you need 120V 60hz to blow women's skirts up. Use a 12V supply and an inverter. Instead of roaring a tractor at rated rpms in a parade.
If you really want airflow in a compact package. Use a squirrel cage fan from a furnace.

 

[DownSouth]

I thought I would bring your pictures (that Ralph posted above) down to your original post for you. I must admit, that is a really neat idea. No doubt the crowd appreciated your handywork!

.