Noisy ceiling fan - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sashime76 · 08-24-2005, 05:30 AM

A couple of our ceiling fans get noisy (light clicking sound) when set to med or high speed. They are all less than 3 yrs old. Do they require period lubrication?

Any ideas?

micah67 · 08-24-2005, 10:46 AM

Since it happens at mid and high speeds, I suspect they're not balanced and are wobbling. Ceiling fans should come with a balancing kit. It's basically some weights with adhesive on one side. The kit will also come with a test-weight shapped like a "U" that you slip onto the edge of one of the blades. By experimenting with the test-weight, you can find which fan blade needs the balancing weight added. Then you move the test-weight up and down the blade to find the optimum location. Once you optimize the location, you stick on the more permanent fan weight. Bare in mind that you may need weights on more than one fan blade.

THGL · 08-24-2005, 11:45 AM

Exactly what micah said... and be sure to turn the fan off before you start.

cj2112 · 08-24-2005, 03:44 PM

If you don't have the weights, you can use a penny taped to the top side of the blade instead.

sashime76 · 08-26-2005, 04:35 AM

It didn't have noise when I first installed this particular one, at any speed. Probably just because it was cheap? I think it was under $30 on sale. I have three others, Hunter brand and they all work great. Anyhow, I bought another Hunter (on sale) with remote control. I'll replace the noisy one when it's cool enough to get up to the attic (I install the remote receiver in the attic).

noblejr · 08-27-2005, 06:58 AM

try tightening the screws that hold on the blades. sometimes they like to back off a hair, throwing everything out of balance.

UberMinion · 08-28-2005, 02:50 PM

Thanks Micah67 and THGL. I was having the exact same problem as sashime76 and your suggestions help. No more clicking fan, Huzzah!

sashime76 · 08-29-2005, 05:18 AM

I'll check that out, thanks everyone.

dman2 · 09-10-2005, 01:55 PM

You get what you pay for in most cases. Hunter does make a pretty good fan. If you bought a cheap brand or something then you will keep cool, but the trade off will be a noisy fan

texxasco · 09-17-2005, 01:41 AM

You can also try rearranging the blades and see if the balance improves.

angel.reign07 · 03-05-2009, 01:27 AM

I have here some information how to repair an ceiling fan, i know this is only a small information in repairing a ceiling fan,
1. All the blades need to be on the same plane. If one is out of plane this will need to be corrected. The way to detect this is by measuring the distance of the blades from the ceiling. Hold a yard stick with one end on the ceiling. Measure the blades as you manually push the fan blades around. Please don’t turn it on! If one of the blades turns out to be a different distance, then it is not in the same plane as the other blades.
FIX - You will have to bend the out-of-plane blade to the correct distance from the ceiling. You will need another set of hands to remedy this! Be careful when you are bending the blades of the fan. The blade arms can break and you may have to buy a new set of blade arms.
2. Do all the blades have the same pitch? Measure the distance from the ceiling to the front of each blade. If there is a variance you will want to correct it.
FIX - Twist the out of pitch blade or blades to match the others.
3. The blades are not separated by the same angles. Measure between the blade tips. Are the distances equal?
FIX - Push the problem blade into the correct position. Again, this may require a few extra hands!
4. One of the blades may be out of weight. To detect this you would have to remove the blades and weigh them. You may just want to try to balance them and forget about weighing them.
I get this in some site that i research in google engine hope it would help this little information...

Redlemon · 03-05-2009, 10:45 AM

Dude, you are 4 years late in solving this issue...

thingstodo · 03-06-2009, 05:57 AM

He may be 4 years late solving it for the OP but it is still good info. m I never thought of measuring from the ceiling! Unfortunately, all my ceilings are cathedral but my fans aren't noisy either so I lucked out!

ecenur · 10-26-2010, 12:50 PM

Well it really depends on the ceiling fans, and the quality. The weights will definitely do the trick, if your ceiling fan did not come with a kit, you can go into any walmart, home depot etc stores and purchase one. It is essential to have one in your home in times of need.

08-24-2005, 05:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	Noisy ceiling fan A couple of our ceiling fans get noisy (light clicking sound) when set to med or high speed. They are all less than 3 yrs old. Do they require period lubrication? Any ideas?

08-24-2005, 10:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
micah67 Thor Location: 33:08:12N 117:10:23W	Since it happens at mid and high speeds, I suspect they're not balanced and are wobbling. Ceiling fans should come with a balancing kit. It's basically some weights with adhesive on one side. The kit will also come with a test-weight shapped like a "U" that you slip onto the edge of one of the blades. By experimenting with the test-weight, you can find which fan blade needs the balancing weight added. Then you move the test-weight up and down the blade to find the optimum location. Once you optimize the location, you stick on the more permanent fan weight. Bare in mind that you may need weights on more than one fan blade. __________________ ~micah

08-24-2005, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
THGL Psycho Location: Louisville, KY	Exactly what micah said... and be sure to turn the fan off before you start. __________________ "The truth is merely an excuse for lack of imagination." - Garak

09-10-2005, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	You get what you pay for in most cases. Hunter does make a pretty good fan. If you bought a cheap brand or something then you will keep cool, but the trade off will be a noisy fan __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

09-17-2005, 01:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
texxasco Insane Location: Somewhere in East Texas	You can also try rearranging the blades and see if the balance improves. __________________ ...A Bad Day of Fishing is Better Than a Great Day at Work!

08-24-2005, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	If you don't have the weights, you can use a penny taped to the top side of the blade instead.

08-26-2005, 04:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	It didn't have noise when I first installed this particular one, at any speed. Probably just because it was cheap? I think it was under $30 on sale. I have three others, Hunter brand and they all work great. Anyhow, I bought another Hunter (on sale) with remote control. I'll replace the noisy one when it's cool enough to get up to the attic (I install the remote receiver in the attic).

08-27-2005, 06:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
noblejr Crazy Location: Atlanta	try tightening the screws that hold on the blades. sometimes they like to back off a hair, throwing everything out of balance.

08-28-2005, 02:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
UberMinion Psycho	Thanks Micah67 and THGL. I was having the exact same problem as sashime76 and your suggestions help. No more clicking fan, Huzzah!

08-29-2005, 05:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	I'll check that out, thanks everyone.

03-05-2009, 01:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
angel.reign07 Upright	I have here some information how to repair an ceiling fan, i know this is only a small information in repairing a ceiling fan, 1. All the blades need to be on the same plane. If one is out of plane this will need to be corrected. The way to detect this is by measuring the distance of the blades from the ceiling. Hold a yard stick with one end on the ceiling. Measure the blades as you manually push the fan blades around. Please don’t turn it on! If one of the blades turns out to be a different distance, then it is not in the same plane as the other blades. FIX - You will have to bend the out-of-plane blade to the correct distance from the ceiling. You will need another set of hands to remedy this! Be careful when you are bending the blades of the fan. The blade arms can break and you may have to buy a new set of blade arms. 2. Do all the blades have the same pitch? Measure the distance from the ceiling to the front of each blade. If there is a variance you will want to correct it. FIX - Twist the out of pitch blade or blades to match the others. 3. The blades are not separated by the same angles. Measure between the blade tips. Are the distances equal? FIX - Push the problem blade into the correct position. Again, this may require a few extra hands! 4. One of the blades may be out of weight. To detect this you would have to remove the blades and weigh them. You may just want to try to balance them and forget about weighing them. I get this in some site that i research in google engine hope it would help this little information...

03-05-2009, 10:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Dude, you are 4 years late in solving this issue... __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-06-2009, 05:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	He may be 4 years late solving it for the OP but it is still good info. m I never thought of measuring from the ceiling! Unfortunately, all my ceilings are cathedral but my fans aren't noisy either so I lucked out! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

10-26-2010, 12:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
ecenur Upright	Well it really depends on the ceiling fans, and the quality. The weights will definitely do the trick, if your ceiling fan did not come with a kit, you can go into any walmart, home depot etc stores and purchase one. It is essential to have one in your home in times of need. __________________ Ceiling Fans Last edited by ecenur; 10-28-2010 at 07:47 AM..