Westinghouse 12LA4 question

[Daniel Herczeg]

The wire connecting the switch circuit in the base to the motor blew up due to touching wires, and I sought to replace it. It was a bit tough to open, but I managed to, though I observed something strange: Going from the base, there were two wires, and coming into the motor, there were two wires, but inside the wire connecting the bast to the motor, I saw three wires. Is something else wrong with my fan?

[Mark Olson]

Can you share pictures?

[Daniel Herczeg]

 

 

[Mark Olson]

I can not tell from your video. Where does the three wire go? What is on the other end?

[Daniel Herczeg]

That's what I'm wondering. The third wire appears to connect to nothing on both ends, but I imagine there's a reason it's there. I don't know who would be able to find the patent schematics for this fan, assuming said patent exists, but perhaps it can explain what's going on.

[Mark Olson]

Where is each end?!?

Does the wire go to the motor? Does it go to the switch? Does it go to the power plug??? IDK

[Daniel Herczeg]

It runs between the base and the motor, as the switch is in the base.

[Mark Olson]

Okay then, the third wire is simply an extra, unused conductor and it can safely be ignored.

[Daniel Herczeg]

I replaced the wire, and now it doesn't work. I imagine it was due to one of the super-thin wires connecting to the motor breaking, and due to a lack of soldering skills, it will just have to sit either next fan fair or until I learn to solder.

[Kyle Shelstad]

the third wire does not do anything, many livelyaire fans and 10" poweraires had 3 wire headwires but only used 2 wires, this was somewhat common for westinghouse in the 40's and 50's, but here is a diagram of the wiring.  this diagram works for all 12" livelyaire fans and 10" poweraire fans  correction: all livelyaire's that have the switch in the base

Edited October 12, 2024 by Kyle Shelstad

[Lane Shirey]

Did you scrape the clear insulation coating off of the stator wires if you soldered directly to them?