Trojan fans

[Shawn Myers]

I was wondering if any one could give insight on how long they made the Emerson Trojan fans and are they rare than Emerson fans? Thanks in advance and happy Thanksgiving.

[Steve Cunningham]

Trojan fans were made by Emerson. They were a lower cost fan.

[Shawn Myers]

Thanks for the info. I wonder what makes them lower cost to produce? They look a lot like Emerson fans of their time.

[Marc Sova]

Very similar quality actually. I’m not sure exactly what made them a cheaper fan though. Maybe mostly a marketing campaign really. 

[Russ Huber]

5 minutes ago, Shawn Myers said:

I wonder what makes them lower cost to produce? They look a lot like Emerson fans of their time.

Emerson Trojan Line 1904-1912.

[Shawn Myers]

I appreciate that post. I took a little time to read it, but it was very interesting. Thank you.

[Bill Dunlap]

My understanding that Trojans had standard two bearing motors and non-patented blades, but otherwise the same quality as Emersons.

[Russ Huber]

17 minutes ago, Bill Dunlap said:

My understanding that Trojans had standard two bearing motors and non-patented blades, but otherwise the same quality as Emersons.

They were lower cost to manufacture as opposed to their hardened steel shaft single bearing premium models. Emerson expresses their Trojan blade of the "ordinary" type. 🙂

[Nicholas Denney]

8 hours ago, Marc Sova said:

Very similar quality actually. I’m not sure exactly what made them a cheaper fan though. Maybe mostly a marketing campaign really. 

There's a lot less machining and fitting that goes into an ordinary two bearing motor versus Emerson's design. The material and finish quality is overall the same. It's somewhat like comparing the Century S4 oscillator and its ridiculous geartrain, to the later roundback style.

[Chris Campbell]

10 hours ago, Nicholas Denney said:

There's a lot less machining and fitting that goes into an ordinary two bearing motor versus Emerson's design. The material and finish quality is overall the same. It's somewhat like comparing the Century S4 oscillator and its ridiculous geartrain, to the later roundback style.

This is not correct. Two bearings are much more complex and require more machine work. And then there is the aligning a front bearing is more tedious in assembly vs single shaft design. The biggest divergence of additional work for a Trojan vs Emerson base design is found with the 52646 vs 12646.  I have a 12646 that will be restored soon and a 52646 set aside for later. The 52646 somewhat intimidates me. Aside from that other Trojan models still have more machined parts and front covers plus bearings must fit just right to run freely.  
 

 

Edited November 29 by Chris Campbell
Grammer

[Nicholas Denney]

7 hours ago, Chris Campbell said:

This is not correct. Two bearings are much more complex and require more machine work. And the there is the aligning a front bearing is more tedious in assembly vs single shaft design. The biggest divergence of additional work for a Trojan vs Emerson base design is found with the 52646 vs 12646.  I have a 12646 that will be restored soon and a 52646 set aside for later. The 52646 somewhat intimates me. Aside from that other Trojan models still have more machined parts and front covers plus bearings must fit just right to run freely.  
 

 

OK, so with all that being said, why are the Trojan fans the lesser model cost wise?

[Michael Rathberger]

The ad says "lower cost in quantity." They were probably a much easier and faster design to bang out due to the amount of machining needed on the blade hub and rotor in their standard line. Look at the old factory photos and the number of lathes on the line.

[Chris Campbell]

1 hour ago, Nicholas Denney said:

OK, so with all that being said, why are the Trojan fans the lesser model cost wise?

In the very beginning when 5110/5210 rolled out with a more simple shaded motor it was marketed as cost saving alternative and would have been the case. Trojan initially were also a single bearing only in front housing vs what Trojan quickly became. Keep in mind GE by this point had been pumping out similar fans for the prior 10 years. Maybe Emerson saw a way to erode the GE market line while taking steps such as branding in order to not compete with themselves or to cheapen the Emerson name.

Better question is why did Trojan quickly transition away from cheaper shaded pole single bearing after the 5110/5210/5310/5410. GE held their design for a few more years afterwards. 
 

Collectors apply initial advertised language to later models as well and perhaps at the time Emerson could not shake market perception of later Trojan models as lesser and decided best to discontinue.
 

Edited November 29 by Chris Campbell