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Compare to Other Ducane Furnaces: If they have a 1/2 in drain they were changed to a 3/4 in drain and changed the pressure switch design as well. You may need to replace both the cold end header box and pressure switch (s). Affinity ® 3100/3200/4100/4200 NG (2006-2008). Affinity ® 3100/4100 LP (2009-2011). Affinity ® 3100/4100 NG (2009-2011).
- 1 Oil a Furnace Blower Motor
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A home's furnace takes a lot of abuse during the cold wintry season; components such as the blower motor must be in constant motion while warming the house. Over time, the furnace blower motor can become internally worn from age and lack of lubrication, causing a major reduction in warm air movement through the home's ductwork. Replacing the motor is a practical solution to an ailing furnace appliance.
Ducane Furnace Installation Manual
Preparing the Furnace
The blower motor is commonly hard-wired into the home's main electrical supply. As a result, you will need to shut off the circuit breaker at the electrical panel that supplies the furnace's power needs. Touching the furnace's components with the power on can cause electrocution. Once the power is turned off, you can use a noncontact circuit tester directly on the motor's wiring; pressing the tester against the wires will immediately tell you if the circuit is live or off. Only after you verify that there is no danger of shock should any work occur on the motor's assembly.
Blower Assembly Removal
The blower motor is typically hidden behind the furnace's protective outside cover; it resembles a small barrel on its side with three wires extending from its housing. After noting the motor's wire color connections to the furnace itself, you can cut or remove the wires from their connection point. Each manufacturer has a different wire connection strategy, so it may be necessary to consult the specific furnace manual for more information. Two to four bolts may hold the blower assembly to the furnace's main body, depending on the model. Once you remove the bolts, you can easily slide the blower assembly from the furnace.
Ducane Furnace Manual Installation
Motor Removal
The motor itself is still fastened to the interior of the blower assembly. If you locate the motor's wheel within the blower, you will see a set screw holding the wheel to the outside assembly. Removing the set screw and the motor's mount screws will allow you to pull the motor itself from the blower assembly. This motor component is the portion that must be replaced.
Replacement Motor Information
The new motor should be installed in the reverse order of the removal process. But you should verify that the new motor is compatible with the blower assembly by matching its specifications with the old motor. Horsepower, voltage, speed, rotation direction and motor diameter should be the same values for the new motor to work correctly. Once the new motor is installed within the blower assembly, the furnace can be powered on at the circuit breaker to verify that it runs normally.
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About the Author
Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities.
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