RV Repair: duo-therm a/c fan motor, sleeve bearings, duo therm

Question
Hi Larry, I have a 2004
forest river trailer, i started having trouble with the a/c fan motor sticking last year, this year is it was frozen solid. when i contacted duo-therm they said that they were not having any problems with the fan motors. When i had the repair man come out he said there was a big problem with the bearings in the fan motors and that duo-therm knows about it. Have you heard of any other problems with their a/c motors?

Answer
Hi Tom:

To answer you question about the motors on duo-therm failing.....YES. I have had more questions come in this summer than you could ever imagine. Lots of various other brands, had similar problems with the motor bearing locking up. You know Tom, if they would put some oil ports on these motors, I tend to think,they would last longer, or even better yet, put ball bearings in the motors, instead of sleeve bearings. When the motors are built, it would cost very little, to install upgraded bearing, considering the price we have to pay for the a/c units. However they claim to have special bearing in them that does not require oiling. If that is the case, then why are so many of them locking up due to bearing problems. I wish I had a better alternative to offer you. If the motor hasn't been replaced yet, you might ask the repairman to get a motor with ball bearing. Your problems would then be taken care of for a good while, otherwise in a couple of years, you may be facing the same problem with a/c again.

It sure would not hurt anything to write to the Duo-Therm company and tell them what is happening with these motors. It too, would be good if the repairman would do the same thing also.

If I can be of further service, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards, Larry