Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger

Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger (/showthread.php?tid=6955)

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Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Wanderman - 09-04-2022

Hi All!
I have an under couch heat exchanger plenum with a squirrel cage fan and a through shaft motor. (one motor runs both fans) Recently it began misbehaving. After a search through the forums, it appears Tom has the same system, albeit in a bay, so i could get some ideas. I believe I have it down to an electrical isse. Could be a loose crimp, a broken/intermittent wire or something else.

When I have the fan running I can manipulate the wiring and get it to speed up and slow down, likely due to voltage fluctuations.

The wiring is a bit confusing. I am attaching pictures to try and figure it all out.

The weirdest thing is a secondary, piggybacked set of wires going into on of the housings for the squirrel cage fan.

I have a 2 speed switch on the wall adjacent to the couch that allows low/high speed on the fan and it does switch speeds. (Tom let me know that the motor is actually 3 speeds, so you can only choose 2 of them!)

Any ideas what the other wires do? Which colors are which from the newell side? (Green w/red)

Thanks!

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Wanderman - 11-21-2023

So this heat exchanger under the couch has begun to leak profusely! It's the one with a 4 way hose assembly on the front.

Need a non-leaking one! Anyone know the model/size or have one?

Thank you!!

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Jack Houpe - 11-22-2023

Rick I had one can't tell you if it worked but it went into the dumpster, didn't look like yours here is a picture. Do you think the other set of wires goes to a wire wound resistor for the speed control?

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Jack Houpe - 11-22-2023

You might have to retrofit Rick, check this out.

https://www.amazon.com/Evargc%E3%80%90US-Universal-Auxiliary-Windscreen-Defroster/dp/B08D97Y5KZ/ref=asc_df_B08D97Y5KZ/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8bnaj9HXggMVeSytBh0A_AL5EAQYASABEgJvcPD_BwE&hvadid=475751226427&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvlocint&hvlocphy=1013091&hvnetw=g&hvpone&hvpos&hvptwo&hvqmt&hvrand=14651126772550194194&hvtargid=pla-1041600805090&linkCode=df0&mcid=7d98cc6068483797ab0a05f50bc3fe59&psc=1&tag=hyprod-20

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Richard - 11-22-2023

If you can’t find an exact replacement. Something along the lines of a retro heater for hot rods may work work for you.

https://www.vintageair.com/heater-only/

https://www.vintageair.com/heater-only/

Just examples to get you thinking about alternate ideas.

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - [email protected] - 11-22-2023

I need to get under my couch and take a look at mine. I had to disconnect the wires because the squirrel cage fan was locked up and was blowing the fuse at the aqua hot. Wonder if it has any markings on it as to who made it.
Might also see if you can just find a core that will fit in the existing housing.

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Wanderman - 11-22-2023

So, I have some of those cheap plastic hose clamp things and made a valiant attempt to stop the flow into the leaking exchanger. Is slowed, but not stopped. Hopefully i can get a get a better set of clamps, I am very limited as to what i can do here. the kitchen heat exchanger is working fine, but I have shut it down to reduce system pressure, still leaks. Access is awful. Cut both wrists on various bits under the couch getting this far. I look like I attempted to off myself!

It looks like an earlier version of the COZY heater. with a squirrel cage fan, but not sure at all. If I can get the parts to cap off the lines, I can pull the whole thing out and look closer.

Jack, looks like that's the Whisper one, I have that in the half bath. So far, it's working nicely even though the fan is a bit noisy. Eventually I will be replacing all the fans with more modern "computer" muffin fans. The lines on the assembly are for a two speed switch on the wall behind the passenger seat.

Keep the advice coming guys!

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Wanderman - 11-22-2023

Hmmm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CPQLMH1/ref=emc_b_5_i

Seems like almost exact same specs. Not sure of the inlet/outlet hose size, since I havent measured it.. but CFM and heat output are almost identical to the Cozy heaters. In fact CFM is 80 for this one rather than 68 for the other.

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Jack Houpe - 11-22-2023

Rick the hoses in my coach are all 3/4" ID.

RE: Multi Plenum Squirrel Cage Plenum Heat Exchanger - Wanderman - 11-22-2023

I pulled out the heater since it was still leaking and making a mess. I did my best to remove it and clamp the hoses. I believe it may not be leaking from the hose ends any longer, but We'll see. Need some better 3/4" (Thanks Richard!) ends to cap them.

https://www.comfortairgr.com/product/153-551-0008-heater-teddy-80vcr-12v-blr/

It's a Teddy Heater. Very Expensive!

Going to try the less expensive option first. At least it's Out