Lopi Freedom Blower Fix

Total blower replacement with ebay bbqfactory GFK21-K2

[@waynethayer6152]

Thanks for the tips! Saved me a bunch of time finding a blower that would fit. The blower you reversed (right hand side) is running backwards. If you'd tested before final install you would've seen that no air was coming out of that side. I tried turning the impeller around--that won't work either. Fortunately, you CAN cram that blower in without trying to reverse the side the motor protrudes on. I also pop-riveted a bit of flashing to the outlet to help guide the air into the channel. And I just used the old Lopi switch box to mount the speed control which came with the new blowers--just needed a bit of JB Weld...

[@johngaudreau7506]

Wayne Thayer nice work around. I didn't show all I did but should have. To reverse the fan, I flipped the motor drive around. Unfortunately, the fan cage on the bbqfactor version had pressed bearings and couldn't be flipped. It still threw air but not as much. This year, I decided to try the Amazon fan, model mentioned in comment last month. It was same components as bbq but this mfg did not use pressed bearing, instead used removable bracket so I could flip that fan cage. It now works full force. I did test fan at different steps in process. Easy with a 14 gage solid copper electrical wire jumper to bypass thermal switch. Thank you for comments. I did consider your approach but wanted to keep shroud outlet in line with stove like before. I am very happy with replacement fans and found worth the effort.

[@racinjason68]

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to make the retro fit video, your work looks great! I have not replaced my factory fans yet, but this helps keep options open!

[@purduephotog]

Thanks for the video. I have the freedom Bay and could accept about another inch worth of blower area. The two side by side look to be about an inch different so I may go ahead and get one to test. I'm going to replace so the wiring, however, as I seriously question how or what they did. 4 different gauges with different temperature ratings. All a mish mash. Looked at the power cord coming in and the neutral is cracking, so that's replaced. They dead headed a live hot wire with a bit of tape too. Glad the frame is grounded but seriously questionable work.

[@geeman1633]

I appreciate the information, but must tell you for future reference, that the constant camera movement makes it almost impossible to watch. It doesn't add anything to the presentation and in fact is totally distracting. Just sayin'

[@evanwellens]

Awesome video.. Been plagued by this fan since we got it. Now the control box just humms.. Wonder if you had any ideas about a replacement ? I assume at the end of the day it's just some form of variable fan control.

[@johngaudreau7506]

I take it you mean the fan speed control. I replaced mine with a dimmer switch a couple years back. Inexpensive but had to drill holes for switch screws and drill out rivets. The bbq factory blower kit I mentioned came with a new one that I didn't bother with.

[@jerryyearout2803]

John do you do the replacement for a fee? Thanks Jerry [e-mail]

[@johngaudreau7506]

Jerry Yearout - Sorry, I am not in the repair business. Perhaps, knowing it is possible, there is a local repair man in your area. They are a dying breed but you never know.

[@jerryyearout2803]

thank you Merry Christmas

[@jerryyearout2803]

I was working on my brotherin laws blower and was concerned about the rotation of the other motor.

[@haroldkirk2213]

I've got a older lopi insert fan motor setup looks same as yours I've yet to figure out how to get them out I've taken all screws and bolts out I can find any help you can give me on getting them out

[@johngaudreau7506]

Did you drill out the pop rivets with 1/8" bit?

[@haroldkirk2213]

Thanks

[@EPHONIC]

Thanks for the video. Question: My blower doesn't come on at all and before I take things apart, I want to know if you can tell me if the blower first needs to have wood burning in the stove. In other words will it only come on if the thermoswitch/control sense heat? Thanks.

[@johngaudreau7506]

EPHS if the blower does not come when stove is hot is probably either the thermostat switch or the fan control switch. Yes, have to have fire. Best way to tell is check ohm resistance across fan control switch, can be done without power and minimal dismantling with cheap volt meter. If don't have meter you can do the following but be careful with electricity. If not comfortable, take assembly to a repair shop. What you can do without taking too much apart is take the blower assembly off (unplugged), two bolts, and take the screen off over the thermostat located between the fans. Using 14 gage insulated wire and male spade terminals crimps to both ends, pull wires off thermostat and place your bypass wire into thermostat wire connectors. To be safe temporary electrical tape over connectors and keep clear of contacts. Plug in and turn fan speed control. If does not turn on, your fan speed switch, dimmer, needs to be replaced. If fan turns on, thermostat switch is bad.

[@EPHONIC]

Thanks so much, John. I haven't even tried the blower yet with actual wood burning in the stove. I thought to perhaps use a hair dryer to try to get the heat up to the thermo sensor and see what happens. I did get the unit out and removed the bolts and screws you indicated. Simply process and now I can at least clean the unit. Lots of ash and soot inside. If the hair dryer doesn't work, I will try your 14-gauge wire test first. Thanks again for the level of detail in your response and sharing your expertise.

[@EPHONIC]

Update: I tried it out with the hair dryer today and sure enough it worked! Had no idea. A little rattling that I think can be resolved through perhaps some heat resistant padding, but worked perfectly. Thanks again for your insights.

[@johngaudreau7506]

EPHS nice work around. Didn't know hair dryer would get it hot enough but if you focus at the thermostat it does. Nice.

[@EPHONIC]

Exactly. Didn't take but about a minute, but it was focused right on the thermostat eye. Thanks for leading me down the right road. I appreciate it.

[@Jay-pn5zv]

Any recommendation on us fixing our Lopi Liberty rear blower? Wondering if you knew of an ebay bbqfactory # to replace those blowers?

[@johngaudreau7506]

Jessica Barth , Sorry, I am not familiar with Liberty. What I did to find what worked for Freedom was take the old one out and look for any model numbers. Then I googled that make and model to find the flow rating, cfm (cubic feet per minute). Also took measurements. The first time the motors went, i replaced the motors with same models reusing the same impellers (fan fins). A couple years later the plastic fan fins cracked and I couldn't find a quick replacement driving me to switch to all metal fans like bbq.

[@jasonkubik1016]

How is the noise level compared to the originals? Notice any more air volume? Looks like a nice clean retro fit.

[@anngaudreau9896]

There is less noise compared to rattling original but about same as new original. I measured db using app, if you trust it, at 65. I got same reading at my room air purifier to give idea. I didn't show new wiring but I used the harness blower came with that simplified it.

[@damienmckenna6954]

I see you recommend a GFK21 part from Amazon - which item is it? There are half a dozen GFK21 items for sale on amazon, all from different providers. Thanks.

[@johngaudreau7506]

Durablow Gfk21. I removed the foam pieces stuck on it. These were truly reversible unlike the bbq version. You will need to reverse the right side. This involves flipping the motor magnet so it will spin other direction, rotating housing to correct direction and flipping fan cage 180 degrees so spins in correct direction relative to motor direction. It is easier than sounds and you will see optional tabs and slots for this. They are about $20 each. You could just buy two or buy one stand alone and one in kit with dimmer and thermal switch if you need those too. I have my original thermal switch which is still working. I did have to replace my dimmer and just used a Home Depot switch a few years back.

[@damienmckenna6954]

Thank you so much!

[@damienmckenna6954]

So I ordered the Durablow GFK21. It ended up being almost too large for the chassis and the structural integrity was damaged getting it to fit. The blower was so large that the bolt for holding the chassis to the stove has to be put into place *before* finishing bolting on the fan holder onto the upper chassis. Anyway, I got it all assembled and it was working. I then realized that the wiring may have been too close to the stove so I disassembled it slightly and added some more insulation. When I hooked it all back up again the fan wouldn't turn on. So now I have a dead fan. Darnit.

[@haroldkirk2213]

Yea I drill them out and got it apart . What type of motors did u use to replace the old one with

[@johngaudreau7506]

BBQ Factory GFK21-K2 is what I used, from eBay. Double check the dimensions of yours vs replacement.

[@johngaudreau7506]

Amazon GFK21 is a little better. Basically the same accept truly reversible for the right side.