Tuesday 1 October 2013

My fan repair log for KDK Stand Fan

What is the problem with this fan??

I turn it on and it will automatically turn off immediately.Is the timer spoilt? Has the timer changed to 1 sec duration? These are my frustrations when I was in my bedroom using my PC. Fortunately, my PC's fan is not spoil but it is spewing out hot air at 60 degrees Celsius lor. My room was unbearably hot forcing me to turn on my A/C.  However , there are times when I am just staying in the room for a short while and the aircon takes time to cool the room down.

I have these 2 fan buddies for some time already. I remember the first one was bought at the same time with my new house. This fan has been my steady wind buddy for almost 7 years. The second fan came in a few years later when I need more wind in different places at the same time. That is it ! The fan base has no wheels, enough of shifting here and there. I shall buy another one. It is also another KDK and so I enjoyed another couple of years full of wind till one day....

As usual, I turned on my fan . I was very sure the fan was turning , at least it was accelerating. Then I turn my back and sat down to use my PC. After a short while, I begin to feel hot. I feel no more breeze. ?? Why is it off? So I turn it again, and after a while it was off again. I found it strange .This condition persist till one day it deteriorates to a 1 second timer.

And so from that day , that fan was banished to the "Cold Palace" and the no2 was in favor again. I couldn't bear to throw away no1 as I know the motor is well and running.Only if I could connect the mains directly to the motor, I am fine with Speed 3 all the way..hahah! Nah I was too lazy to do that until no2 exhibit the same symptoms.I know it's end is near.And just last week , it went just like that. That is the last straw that broke the camel's back. I cannot stand having 2 white elephants at home and it is a pity to throw 2 fine motors away. I called KDK up and they charged $70 just to replace the PCB board. It is the half the cost of the fan. Crazy. So I went to research for repair solutions on the net but I found none on the KDK standing fan. However , I did find one similar though but it is ceiling fan. He replaced a capacitor and the fan was back working. So I thought ,let's try to change all the caps in my fan.

So let's begin.

Tools required: Soldering iron, short pc of flux, silicon sealant, a Phillips screwdriver and a new 0.68uF Film capacitor. A goot sucker will be nice to have.

Where to get: Sim Lim tower

For the capacitor : you can try this link also.
http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchTerm=68uf+275V&sra=oss&r=t

Steps to repair:

Step 1: Unplug the main power and dismantle the fan. Remove all the screws and buttons.








Step 2 : Pull out the PCB board casing and remove the cover.







So the faulty component is the largest black rectangular block shown in the picture above.

Step 3: Remove the faulty capacitor.
This is a 0.68uF Film capacitor


Desolder the pins at the back of the PCB board.

Step 4: Replace and solder in the new capacitor.



The new capacitor is the yellow one and the black is the one I have removed.


 Viola, it is done. On the board.

Step 5 : Add some silicon sealant at this area. As the pins are close to each other, it may short accidentally. Let the silicon cure fully to get the max insulating property.




Step 6 : Assemble the fan back. And you are done.


Closing: I hope this help everybody to save their fans from a premature death. It is really a waste to throw them out and dammed the KDK for using such a lousy component and charging so high for repair.



Disclaimer: The repair steps are just a guide and do it at your own risk. Please do practice safety when dealing with electrical parts. If you are not experienced in such stuff...just pay $70 to KDK Singapore to repair it.