Series 3 heater motor question

[Motorradmark]

Motor is intermittent. Has power and good ground. Cleaned it and checked it on clean 12v source.
what is this and what purpose does it serve?

 

[Angus]

it looks like a really old resistor. Perhaps a 6v fan in a 12v system?

 

[Motorradmark]

Would it enable the 2 speeds for the fan, perhaps?

 

[Angus]

Certainly could be given the way the wiring is attached. Put a volt/ohm meter on the wires and see if the right wire is hot on low and the left is on high.

 

[4RF RDS]

Would it enable the 2 speeds for the fan, perhaps?

Yes that is the fan resistor (called a ballast resistor). Clean the connections it should clear it up and solve the issue. When you switch fan speed that gets hot which is why it is exposed like that. They are quite robust and typically last a long time. If it does not fix the issue (cleaning up the spade connectors) you can get replacements but it likely won’t look like that. LR part number to replace is PRC1716

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

 

[Motorradmark]

Yes that is the fan resistor (called a ballast resistor). Clean the connections it should clear it up and solve the issue. When you switch fan speed that gets hot which is why it is exposed like that. They are quite robust and typically last a long time. If it does not fix the issue (cleaning up the spade connectors) you can get replacements but it likely won’t look like that. LR part number to replace is PRC1716

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Thanks much. Merry Christmas to you and yours, as well.

 

[FLY CUBS]

Mark - did it fix it? I always wondered what that was in there......

 

[Motorradmark]

I cleaned up the resistor and yep. Still terribly weak and moves only trace air. Am going to explore a stronger motor or more effective fan. But yes it did.

 

[Motorradmark]

How’s the defender doing?

 

[4RF RDS]

I cleaned up the resistor and yep. Still terribly weak and moves only trace air. Am going to explore a stronger motor or more effective fan. But yes it did.

Did you put 12V directly to the motor without the ballast?

 

[FLY CUBS]

How’s the defender doing?

It's great- I need to start on the new upgrades, changes and small repairs...but I just keep driving it. Will hopefully start later this month - the pile of new "stuff" is getting dusty in the shop.