Vintage Kmart Lakewood Box Fan - Checkout & Discussion

Check out big blue!
Checkout my other ‘Big Blue’ Lakewood 20” Kmart Box Fan - Checkout & Discussion
• Lakewood 20” Kmart Box...

[@damianjninjutsu]

I would use it in my room.

[@CartierEd]

It's so tempting. I love this fan!

[@d3fault1420]

@@CartierEd do it! i use mine in my room all the time

[@eyestoenvy]

That is the PERFECT white noise maker for sleep, the deep bass sounding box fans of yesterday. You can't get that same noise from a 3733 & etc today.

[@CartierEd]

I completely agree with you. This one is so mint I don't want to use it. If I come across a similar one in less perfect condition I'd run it. I see a few on ebay but ouch! The cost plus shipping!

[@d3fault1420]

@@CartierEd right? i was lucky enough to get one off fb marketplace for $25 (about the same as a lasko box fan)

[@crazyfan740]

1st gen bladeset was made until 1978. 2nd gen bladeset is what you were referring to near the beginning of the video.

[@CartierEd]

Yes. Where would you consider the metal blades in that P-23. And then again way later on the P-25.

[@sccpsteve]

I would only run these rare fans in the window if I first sprayed a UV-proof coating on the grilles and the blades. Also, a water-resistant coating on the metal parts in case it rains.

[@CartierEd]

Yes. This one doesn't get run at all. It's too perfect. However, if I come across one out there that has some hours on it and isn't perfect, I'd run it.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

I have two of these fans, with plastic grilles and no thermostats. I have a blue one labeled KMART and a pink one that is identical with no KMART markings. Recently, the blue fan got wet, and has malfunctioned. When you turn it on, it will only run for a few seconds and then kicks off. Do you know if fans this old have any sort of thermostatic resistor/circuit breaker? It sounds like it is tripping and then resetting. I have dried the fan out for days and it has not improved, so I no longer think that there is a "wet" condition still causing it not to function properly. Thank you.

[@CartierEd]

Thanks for checking out the video. Sounds like you have a couple of nice fans too. You are correct these older fans do not have a thermal fuse. I have not seen this before as unfortuantley I've seen these get very wet when I was young because they were left in the window during heavy rain and they start right up! I'm wondering if something corroded and is causing your issue. Have you opened up the motor and inspected the switch? When it stops.. Do the blades stop and there is still a hum from the motor? Or is it completely off? Did you try connecting it to a power meter? Please keep me updated on how you make out!

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@CartierEd I think the switch/knob is fine, it seems to function correctly in each of the 4-positions (1,2,3,off) I did note that the fan motor housing mentions that the motor is thermally protected. When the fan shuts off I do hear a very distinct "click" and then another click when the circuit is re-energized. It does sound like the thermal protection is locking the motor out. However, the blades spin very easily. Is it possible that the windings within the motor may have become damaged and are causing the motor to heat up more so than usual? I do note that when you turn the fan on that it seems to spin at a higher RPM than before, which to me would signify damaged motor windings. Disappointing.