Another thread about barn fans

[Loves_to_ride]

I did search and found some previous threads on barn fans, but I have a specific question.

I have a 2 stall barn, run-out situation. I only need fans possibly 2 months of the year (Massachusetts) so I don’t think I want anything permanently mounted.

Would this fan be acceptable and safe to use in a barn?

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;;pg103693_103695.html

Thanks in advance!

[horsepoor]

It says it is completely sealed so that is probably a good one to use. I have something similar that is meant to be permanently mounted, but on one stall, I just put it up temporarily in summer. Here’s the link for what I have - looks pretty similar to what you posted.

[leaf]

I have the same as Horsepoor’s.
It’s meant to be wall mounted but I hang them from eye-bolts from the rafters.
You want the sealed motors for safety. When you take them down for the winter, you’ll want to clean them before the next season’s use.
The fan you showed looks fine to me.

[kcmel]

I just bought two of these for my run-ins. Sealed motors and very powerful.

http://www.ruralking.com/fan-tilt-18-wall-mount-sealed.html

[DHCarrotfeeder]

I’m not sure that sealed bearing = sealed motors. The ignition risk comes from the motor not the bearings.

David

[horsepoor]

@DHCarrotfeeder;8236769

I’m not sure that sealed bearing = sealed motors. The ignition risk comes from the motor not the bearings.

Good catch on the one OP posted - it does just refer to the bearings as sealed, doesn’t it? Worth asking about, to make sure. The one I posted does say motor is sealed (plus the bearings, later in the text).

[yaya]

[QUOTE=Loves to ride;8235769]
I did search and found some previous threads on barn fans, but I have a specific question.

I have a 2 stall barn, run-out situation. I only need fans possibly 2 months of the year (Massachusetts) so I don’t think I want anything permanently mounted.

Would this fan be acceptable and safe to use in a barn?

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;;pg103693_103695.html

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

I have used that exact fan in my barn for many years now. Each one lasts about 5 years for me. I leave them up year round, and brush the accumulated dust off a couple of times a summer when in use. (Which is a lot - I’m in the steamy south, and my horses are in all day due to the heat, so the fans run about 12 hours a day.)

[Loves_to_ride]

Sigh. As DHCarrotFeeder (David) points out, these fans are not sealed motor, even though the description and the customer service person whom I talked to both said they are usable in barns.

I ordered 4 and they just arrived. I was so excited to see them! Opened a box and saw the copper wires of the motor.

So is this fan safe for barn use? Or do I need to swear a lot and send them back. (Just kidding on the swearing!)

The description from FarmTek:

Powerful hanging fans keep you and the workplace cool and comfortable• Kits include ValuTek 3-speed fan with 6’ plu-in cord, 5’ chain and S-hooks.
• Perfect for greenhouses, shops, garages and barns. (bold is mine)
• Hang over the purlins in your greenhouse to circulate the air and protect your plants and flowers.
• 3-speed fan allows you to customize your ventilation needs.
• Commercial-grade motor is engineered to use less current.
• Can also be used as a floor fan (feet included).
• Completely sealed and permanently lubricated ball bearings with thermal overload protection and rotary switch.

[gnu]

Per Farm Tek customer service recommendation, I got the Valutek corrosion-resistant fans recently. They are mounted in run in sheds. UL listed for outdoors, sealed motor. Very powerful fans.

[TimelyImpulse]

[QUOTE=gnu;8243543]
Per Farm Tek customer service recommendation, I got the Valutek corrosion-resistant fans recently. They are mounted in run in sheds. UL listed for outdoors, sealed motor. Very powerful fans.[/QUOTE]

These are the ones I bought.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_cooling_fans-ft_circulation_fans;pg104668.html

Very good air flow, and sealed motors.

[King_s_Ransom]

I have the MaxAir fans that kcmel linked to. I LOFF them! Completely sealed.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=Loves to ride;8243144]
Sigh. As DHCarrotFeeder (David) points out, these fans are not sealed motor, even though the description and the customer service person whom I talked to both said they are usable in barns.

I ordered 4 and they just arrived. I was so excited to see them! Opened a box and saw the copper wires of the motor.

So is this fan safe for barn use? Or do I need to swear a lot and send them back. (Just kidding on the swearing!)

The description from FarmTek:

Powerful hanging fans keep you and the workplace cool and comfortable• Kits include ValuTek 3-speed fan with 6’ plu-in cord, 5’ chain and S-hooks.
• Perfect for greenhouses, shops, garages and barns. (bold is mine)
• Hang over the purlins in your greenhouse to circulate the air and protect your plants and flowers.
• 3-speed fan allows you to customize your ventilation needs.
• Commercial-grade motor is engineered to use less current.
• Can also be used as a floor fan (feet included).
• Completely sealed and permanently lubricated ball bearings with thermal overload protection and rotary switch.[/QUOTE]

I think as long as you inspect them periodically and keep the insides cleaned of dust. Dust that collects in there will cause them to overheat and become a primary ignition source.

David

[HappyHorsey]

I was thinking of purchasing some barn fans and had considered the FarmTek fan even though it’s really expensive. Is it a quiet fan or do you think it would be too noisy for a small barn?

I like the looks of the MaxxAir fan but was wondering about moisture with it, especially if I need to hose off the dust. Do those of you who have this fan have any problems?

[JannieC]

I bought 6 of these this year to replace some fans I have had for many years. I also leave them mounted in the air in the corner of stalls. What is important to me is the automatic turnoff for thermal overload–so if it does overheat for some reason, it shuts off. For many years I have used “Patton” fans which are very similar and are not completely sealed, but are no longer available (new Pattons are not the same as the old ones). So far these fans are great.

[JannieC]

I bought 6 of these this year to replace some fans I have had for many years. I also leave them mounted in the air in the corner of stalls. What is important to me is the automatic turnoff for thermal overload–so if it does overheat for some reason, it shuts off. For many years I have used “Patton” fans which are very similar and are not completely sealed, but are no longer available (new Pattons are not the same as the old ones). So far these fans are great. They are loud and I would Never hose them off–I use a blower to take the dust off.

[Loves_to_ride]

Thanks so much everyone!

I’m going to keep these and when I need to replace them, I’ll read more carefully for sealed motor…

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=horsepoor;8236069]
It says it is completely sealed so that is probably a good one to use. I have something similar that is meant to be permanently mounted, but on one stall, I just put it up temporarily in summer. Here’s the link for what I have - looks pretty similar to what you posted.[/QUOTE]

Each one of our stalls has a 20" version of this. The horses stand right under it and nap after a hot day.

[jesterjigger]

I got the one horse poor posted a few weeks ago, after looking through old threads. It’s a great fan, very powerful and sturdy, definitely recommend it!