Cheap Arc Welder Fan Replacement Option

I found a way to save a good bit of money if you need to replace a bad fan in your welder.
I used a $15 240v muffin fan vs. the $100 stock replacement. Didn't make much sense to pay more for the motor than I did for the welder.

[@groutjohn]

A video post that just keeps on giving, years later. My fan just went up in smoke. I'm in identical circumstances as you. I'm going to follow your lead. Thanks for the video!!

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Thanks. Should work great for you and save you a lot of $$

[@johnveazey8224]

Thanks for the posting. I found the same fan you used on ebay. Got the part no. from your picture. Used it in a 30 y/o Harbor Freight MIG welder. Easy installation leaving more air flow than the original.

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Great!

[@silouettesshadow]

Just bought a thunderbolt AC/DC , $175 asking price. Needs fan replacement. Called a supplier. $265!!! Told the seller. Got it for $125. With a similar fan on this video. I am happy with deal I got

[@omorin34]

Thanks for the tip. I need to replace mine and I like these more than the open fan design.

[@gunnuts82]

This is brilliant.. I did something similar before. I just added a small personal desk fan about 5 inch. And just ran it off of its own 110 cord. To heck with paying 100 + for a dang fan.

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Agreed. I was looking for replacement ideas and ran across someone who did this but used a 115V muffin fan in conjunction with a step down transformer. Did a little digging on muffin fans and ran across the 240V fan. SOLD!

[@TheFreak111]

That's stupid expensive isn't it. You could also source old fans similar to the original one in old microwaves if you want to go real cheap.

[@PhillipHall01]

@@TheFreak111 I just tried a microwave fan and it blew. I did not realize the voltage from the welder was 220, I thought voltage to the fan was reduced to 110. Had I know, I could have done as @gunnuts82, because the microwave fan mounted right in the place of the old lincoln welder fan.. Live and learn. Now I have to start over. lol

[@HomeImProveMentHow]

Necessity the mother of invention, that's thinking outside the box, good job bro,

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Easy to tips and tricks etc etc just added to something I saw someone else do.

[@philkrueger5961]

Thanks much for posting this. I have the same Miller welder and fan that groweled at me for several years before it went out. The cooltron fan now is about 35 dollars. Since this fan has a plastic housing, have you had any problems with this like too much heat going to the fan or is the ventilation adequate to keep this from happening?

[@TigerCreekFarm]

I have had no problems. If you are concerned you may be able to find one with an aluminum housing. The main thing is you need one in the 230 volt range.

[@philkrueger5961]

@@TigerCreekFarm Thanks for the info. I have noticed that the aluminum and metal housing fans are much more expensive than the plastic fans but if they keep up with the heat they should be ok. I would check the fan periodically, especially if unit reaches the max time and outpout. I saw fans on ebay for 15-17 bucks either with or without the two wire leads coming into the fan.

[@joshuapotter7372]

A 240 volt oven fan can also be used. It's the same style that's in a welder and new they are under $60.00

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Joshua Potter thanks for sharing.

[@Cashwelding]

Wat did u say the fan came out of

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Newly purchased muffin fan - Cooltron FA1238B22T7-97

[@littlebittybert]

Man, I'm glad I found this video. I WISH I had a Miller welder! But mine is a lowly harbor fright unit, so I REALLY want to stay cheap! lol I have a question for you though. During testing of my fan, I found that it's grounded through the chassis of the machine, and that both leads carry 110 volts. Did you ground your $15 plastic fan? or does it just have the two hot leads? I'm pretty thick when it comes to electrics. Thanks for your well done video! Bert

[@TigerCreekFarm]

I believe that it connected as you stated. Each leg carries 110v and it grounded through the chassis - which is actually aluminum and not plastic. If you use one of these pancake fans make sure you get the 220v version. Good luck!

[@eddgong]

Im running a micro wave fan in mine , been in there for 25 years more lol

[@ThriftyGarage]

Just ordered a new fan for my Lincoln Electric 140HD. OEM part was only $25.

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Thrifty Garage I would have jumped all over that if the Miller part was that price. Paying more for the fan than I paid for the welder didn’t make much sense.

[@chrisg1668]

Where did u get that muffin fan from?

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Either Amazon or eBay. They are easy enough to find.

[@chrisg1668]

Ok thanks so much!!

[@johnvgig]

I think that one should have mounted the replacement fan in the exact location and airflow direction as the original fan. Is there a reason that wasn’t done?

[@TigerCreekFarm]

It is mounted that way.

[@johnvgig]

Ok. I’ve never seen one mounted to the foot of the unit. God to know there are different versions. Thanks

[@cservos712]

Does it get grounded from the spacers ? Bought this for my lincoln but isn't working. Have 120v on each wire

[@TigerCreekFarm]

I am assuming it grounds to the chassis. My spacers, or risers, are steel. Did you verify that you have 120v on each leg coming to the fan? If you do there is a chance that you bought a fan broken right out of the box. I would verify voltage and then verify good connections (hidden broken wire).

[@nikac7748]

Is there a thermostat in that thing?

[@TigerCreekFarm]

No. Fan runs continuously.

[@ThomasSmith-q1q]

But where you put it, it doesn't blow directly on the transformer like it should.

[@TigerCreekFarm]

It was put in the same place as the original fan.

[@BobbyJoeDay]

Microwave cooling fan prob works too from junk microwave

[@eddgong]

Im digging thru my iron pile just a few ago getting together pcs for a little project , Man Im blind as a bat though , it gets frustratingly angry as Im getting olde54r //////

[@Slotcartires]

You really want air blowing on the diodes. When they get hot and die you lose DC function. Not a cheap repair then. Move your fan to the right as close to the diode heatsink as you can.

[@manueltovar9963]

Hey I need the actual fan would you sell me that fan ....

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Manuel Tovar sorry. I keep things like that for my “just in case” repair projects.

[@moparfreak1969]

Match specs. $25 ebay bathroom fans are the same

[@TigerCreekFarm]

230 volts?

[@jimjeffress6800]

Any one know how and maybe a phone # to call to order one? Tks

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Here is the fan I used - www.acinfinity.com/component-cooling/axial-fans/230v-ac-cooltron-fan-120mm-x-38mm-high-speed/

[@jimjeffress6800]

@@TigerCreekFarm how do you ground it or is it made from metal tks

[@TigerCreekFarm]

@@jimjeffress6800 it’s made of aluminum. Grounded mine to the chassis.

[@jimjeffress6800]

@@TigerCreekFarm ok tks ,i wasnt sure what it is made of

[@robinmoore7006]

Can you furnish information off the fan itself ??? Tk You