Steve Kelly Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 I found this fan a while ago and was surprised to see brush caps. When I began collecting I started with loop handles. Never seen another with brushes. I thought maybe it was an early fan but it’s not a cast iron motor. Runs much slower on slow speed compared to my other loop handle fans. Anyone familiar with this type Thanks IMG_5550.MOV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Rathberger Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 That's a low cycle fan. 25 v 60 on household current... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Koh Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 That’s an unusual model made for a very low frequency. Notice how the tag says it’s for 25-39 hz. It’s likely made with the brushes because 25-30 cycles is very slow for a ac motor to run on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Lindsey Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 I have one that is 40 Cycles with brushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Lindsey Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Stephens Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 (edited) Some or all of the GE fans made for 25 and 40 cycles have brushes yet are made for AC current. I don't know why the brushes are necessary but that's the way they were made. Watch for any signs of overheating when running at "normal" frequencies. I had a Century skeletal made for 30 cycles and, while it rans well but slowly on 60 cycle current, the motor got hot after running for a while. Edited March 20, 2023 by Steve Stephens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Kelly Posted March 20, 2023 Author Share Posted March 20, 2023 Thanks. I dont know anything about electricity and cycles but I think I get the idea. Why the low cycle? Was this a early made fan? Did GE produce different fans for different areas or voltages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Rathberger Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 I know little, but, most of the big names manufactured fans of various voltages and cycles. In the early days it wasn't standard everywhere in the US like today. On the old site there were numerous catalogues and brochures with the configurations. I have a high cycles, 125 if I remember, 1900 GE pancake for instance. Probably from the steel mills here in NWI. The brush motor low cycle fans probably had something to do with speed of the motor configuration or simple economy of the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rockwell Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Excerpted from the 1921 catalog contributed by John Fengel..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Mevis Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I believe if I remember right a lot of the areas with hydroelectric dams (like Niagra Falls and the Hoover Dam) used 25 and 40 Cycle AC, Niagra Falls Hydro Plant for Example was a 40 Cycle plant and I think Hoover Dam was originally 25 Cycles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Borg Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I recall reading that LA was at 50 cycles for a long time. Please correct me if wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Kelly Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 Interesting. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morel Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 17 hours ago, Roger Borg said: I recall reading that LA was at 50 cycles for a long time. Please correct me if wrong... That's correct. I still see 50 cycles out here in LA relatively frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Vaughn Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I'm 73 years old and recall buying a refrigerator from a WHITE FRONT store in 1972. It was 50 cycles and concerned me. The large retail store assured me it wouldn't affect operation. They said California started converting to 60 cycles after WW2 and most appliances were marked 50/60 cycles. Many of my fan purchases have been 50 and run fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven P Dempsey Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 This is a 16" Loop DC, can't recall if I sold it or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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