One of the things I did on my get-stuff-done morning was retrieve the killer nonworking gable fan from the attic. After rigging up a plug and giving it juice, I determined the thermal safety breaker has tripped. The thermal breaker is a non-replaceable part which, when activated, turns the motor into a unique doorstop or lively conversation piece.
I’m still thinking it might be worth $50 to put up another fan. It gets to 130 degrees F up there, which makes the air conditioner work harder. The ideal solution would be to put in a radiant barrier but I think that would run $300 or more with the space I’d have to cover (~$.50 psf, if i recall). Maybe I’ll consider that in the fall (when it will also help with heating).
Why didn’t I get a degree in thermodynamics? Or curmudgeonry?
I think we are on our second fan in Cary. I think the current one may not be working. The one out at the lake failed the first year we owned the place. Apparently they don’t do well when it is hot…
Well, mine failed because the blades got stuck and caused the motor to overheat, so the thermal cutoff did its job. Some duct tape I used for the installation got caught up in the blades. I have no doubt that had I not booby-trapped it with the tape, the fan would still be running.