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Ken Rodoni
AFCA Member
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Posted: Sun Oct 11th, 2009 10:25 pm |
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You may remember that I picked up a rebadged Emerson 30" pedestal with a non-working Levolier switch. It looked decent enough, had good snap action, no rattling--but wouldn't control the 2-speed motor. I was disappointed because it had lasted only 70 years of people yanking its chain.
I did a degreaser, did a contact cleaner intervention, and still no results. Then a rare thought came into my head--Heinz ketchup. Why not? I mean, I like it on burgers, I like it to clean brass and pennies, so this was a natural.
I squirted ketchup deep into every crevice and then waited about 10 minutes. I pulled on the chain thereafter every 10 minutes for an hour to make sure the ketchup was being distributed deep in the bowels of the switch and then washed it in warm, soapy water.
Presto--we have liftoff! Not only does the switch look all bright and shiny but, more importantly, it now controls the fan motor perfectly. This was a huge deal for me because I looked everywhere for a Model 450 switch and nada. Even put ads on Craigslist and didn't get so much as an idiotic reply which in itself is very rare.
Moral of the story? Actually, there is no moral. But there is a working switch. So in addition to using ketchup on my brass blades (it leaves a nice patina), I'll reach for it again to clean switch contacts.
And a special shoutout to Russ Huber who was kind enough to post wiring schematics and help me. Thanks, Russ.
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Russ Huber
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | Southwest, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 4954 |
| Favorite Fan: | Any with all its parts. |
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Posted: Mon Oct 12th, 2009 12:22 am |
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For anyone who thinks Ken's method is for french fries...guess again. Ketchup contains Tomatoes and Vineger...sugar...and...salt. Tomatoes(asorbic acid)...vinegar....(Acetic acid). Don't believe me...chuck a tomatoe on your car and leave it there for a while.  Last edited on Mon Oct 12th, 2009 12:23 am by Russ Huber
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Ron Powell
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Thu Mar 6th, 2008 |
| Location: | Lindale, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1352 |
| Favorite Fan: | EMERSON LUNGER |
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Posted: Mon Oct 12th, 2009 12:27 am |
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| Ken, Did you know that it contains vinegar and I use to use vinegar to remove rust from my vintage appliances. But, you must be very careful, I once soaked a cast iron skillet and forgot about it and a week later pulled it out and it was half eaten away. You also must rinse everything well that has been soaking in it and or neutralize it with baking soda or surface rust will form when it dries. Powerful stuff and cheaper then anything thing you can buy to remove rust. Last edited on Mon Oct 12th, 2009 12:28 am by Ron Powell
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Ken Rodoni
AFCA Member
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Posted: Mon Oct 12th, 2009 01:47 pm |
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| Excellent points! I read about this in a "hints" column of a newspaper and decided to give it a shot. I was tired of using gloves for some of the caustic chemicals and thought if this stuff is good enough to eat, it's good enough to clean. My switch had some type of tarnish-film over the contacts and I couldn't get in there with a brush to do any type of decent job. I like the way the ketchup sticks to the parts and leaves the copper and brass (in this switch) clean and without etching.
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Evan Atkinson
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Apr 18th, 2006 |
| Location: | Los Angeles, California USA |
| Posts: | 940 |
| Favorite Fan: | Backus ceiling fans 1890's |
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Posted: Wed Oct 14th, 2009 01:03 am |
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Brings to mind the recommendation from The Speakman Company, which has been in business since 1869, making plumbing parts. They make a whole array of products today, but I particularly like their deluxe "Anystream" showerheads that are made of solid brass and plated however you like.
Point is, when your shower head gets all crusty from the lime deposits of hard water, guess what their directions are?
MAINTENANCE
In certain water conditions, mineral deposits may form. To keep your showerhead like new we recommend soaking the showerhead in 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part water for about 1 hour or more, depending on the amount of buildup. Rinse thoroughly. Brush off any remaining mineral deposits if necessary.
I guess I'm going to start listening to my grandma who would never buy 409 or Windex, but always kept a bottle of water and vinegar handy. 
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