Balancing a Ceiling Fan

dancudayo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
54
What are some ways to balance a ceiling fan? I once purchased a kit at hardware store that uses a clip and sticky weights but had no luck. Thanks for any ideas! Dan
 

Bart Sr.

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
1,603
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

If it is a 4 blade fan the best way to balance it is to replace it with a 5 blade fan.Sounds smart alecky but the fans with odd numbered blades are pre-balanced.

J M H O
 

j_martin

Admiral
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
7,474
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

They can't be balanced. The rhythmic rocking of the fan is part of it's hypnotic design.:D It puts you into a state to automatically call the infomercial seen on TV.
 

geeco1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
373
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

I used one of those black springy clips that you use to clip a bunch of papers together with. They have the silver wires that you flip to lock down.

I took the clip and a quarter or two. Clip it on the leading edge of the blade about 1/2 way out. Turn on the fan. See if the wobble is better or worse. If worse, then move the clip to another blade.

Once you find the blade that seems to make it better, then move the clip in or out on the blade and see which way makes it better. Once you find the optimal spot, final adjustments can be made by adding or removing quarters.

When all is finished, you can either glue the quarters in place, or leave them on the clip. Washers work instead of quarters also.
 

BeaufortTJustice

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
248
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

The kit with the clip and lead tape have worked for me in the past. Maybe your method was flawed?

The clip is used to identitfy where the wieght is needed by attaching to one blade at a time and making visual observations of "better or worse." Once you find the most offending blade, then you can fine tune, again by using the clip, to move the clip to varying positions along the length of the blade. The farther out, the more effect.

Once you get it balanced with the clip, then apply the precut lead tape square on the topside of the blade at a distance out that corresponds to the position of the clip.

If this is the method you previously used, then maybe the balance issue is a severe one that is beyond the corrective range of the clip and tape method...in that case, try switching some blades around and see if that helps.
 

heyttown

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Messages
537
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

Also, depending on the type of fan, if this fan uses a downrod or anything with a ball end to it, That ball end has a notch cut into the side, and it hangs from a bracket with notch that slides up and down that ball, If the notches are not lined up, that could create a uneven fan...

This link has a pretty good explanation of what I had a bad attempt of explaining :)
Especially in step 2, it shows the ball, slot, and pin

http://www.casablancafanrepair.com/...lock/Installation_VT2_HangTruPermalock_p2.htm
 

mommicked

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
1,700
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

make sure all the blade mounting screws are tight too!on the motor and the blades.
 

dancudayo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
54
Re: Balancing a Ceiling Fan

thank you everyone, i will give it a try, i recently found that clip thing if it doesnt help finding the balancing point i will try the quarters or rather yet washers to save my money, lol. the blades are secured down and the ball is in the little groove. yes j.martin i have really helped the economy out the past few weeks by buying all them as seen on t.v. products while being in a trance listening to the wobble of my fan, lol. once again i appreciate everyones help ;)
 
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