Electric fan discussions - kdk and other brands

[BeeFour6922]

Hello, I'm here to share my experiences about kdk fans in Singapore. I recently took on a side job of repairing kdk fans and have repaired about 50 fan to date so i will share some of my observations. I know kdk is the brand that many people trust when it comes to fans and the brand of choice for many homeowners, but before you spend your hard money you might want to read on.

The biggest and most common problem with kdk fans i notice is failure of the PCB board. This happens on the electronic living, wall and ceiling fans. What often happens is that when you press the button to turn on the fan, the fan automatically switches off. Or when you press the oscillation, timer or 1/f yuragi button the fan will switch off. This problem is observed on kdk and Panasonic living,wall fans manufactured after about 2005. On ceiling fans particularly A11YS, M11SU and R48SP, the fan may become stuck in one speed and will no longer respond to the remote. All this is caused simply by one small capacitor in the PCB board of the fan. I've had numerous customers who have thrown away their cosmetically perfect fans because of this problem when it could have been easily repaired.

Secondly is the dip in quality of their fans. As I've seen fans from various generations of each model, i can see a consistent downward drop when going from one generation to the next. The main thing is the PCB board, my old kdk fan of 20 years has its PCB still perfectly working whereas my recently bought fan of the same type ,PCB failed within 2 years. I notice that PCB failure is most prevalent in M40KS, N40HS , PL30H and M40MS.

Thirdly is the price, although there has been a drop in quality, prices have only been going up and many of their fans with PCB problems are around the $200 plus mark.

Also , if your fan ever fails,in terms of the faulty PCB or the fan suddenly stop running. Please dont throw them away, although kdk might fail, it is also one of the easiest fans to repair. If the PCB, simply get the capacitor changed and your good to go. If the motor suddenly stop spinning , the thermal fuse is blown and can be changed, If spinning slowly is because the motor capacitor is faulty. Bottom line, even if these fans fail, they mostly can be repaired. So do a favor to the environment and your wallet and try repairing before throwing away. Also do consider carefully before buying kdk fans. Finally if anyone needs help repairing or advice on how to repair or what fan to buy feel free to text me at 91246065. I can help with all models except ceiling fans.




models affected by PCB problem:

KDK - A40KS.A40HS,N40HS,N40KS, M40KS,PL30H,S30KH,P30KH,U30NH, N30NH, T30LS, P40MS, M40MS , KC4GR

PANSONIC- F400HS.F400KS,F408HS,F409KS,F409MS, F307KH


Motor problem and not spinning suddenly can happen on all models including those not mentioned above.

I bought 3 units of KDK SC30H box fan in late 2014. The louvre function stop working after 1 yr and it caused the fan to shutdown . Initially I thought it is my luck with a lemon set, but come 2nd year, the 2nd unit experienced the same.

I logged a call with the distributor requesting the technical manager to return my call over these inferior quality product. No calls from them.

Thanks to TS for sharing his experience. He helped me to replaced the capacitor at a fraction of service center's repair cost.

Those who need help to pry open the kdk box fan to replace the capacitor, can PM me.

 

[cannotliao]

after so long kdk products still having such capacitor problem?
kdk dont even want to fix the root of the problem?
such quality problem should have more publicity for public awareness
people simply throwing away their expensive kdk because of capacitor that cost few dollar.

 

[coldwinter00]

I think is batch issue. I got 2 set m40ms fan so far working fine.

I'm keen to purchase ceiling fan u60fw. Any feedback on this model?

 

[Jmathew1108]

I think is batch issue. I got 2 set m40ms fan so far working fine.

I'm keen to purchase ceiling fan u60fw. Any feedback on this model?

Its not a batch issue. All models made after 2006/07, including the ones being sold currently are affected because there was a shift in the type of capacitor used from Metallised film to polyester film. It's just a matter of time before it gives way, could happen within 1 year or 10 years, depends on environment and usage.

 

[cannotliao]

why panasonic seems like got no such problem?
panasonic same factory as kdk rite?
always see kdk is the one having such issue.

 

[Jmathew1108]

why panasonic seems like got no such problem?
panasonic same factory as kdk rite?
always see kdk is the one having such issue.

Have also, just that there are significantly more kdk fans being sold compared to panasonic. I guess people are unaware they are the same. So that's why you mostly see kdk with the issue.

 

[eyz]

Mathew, how to replace the capacitor at the motor?

any recommendation for a ceiling light fan?

 

[tatsit]

After servicing numerous fans for many forumers here, realised something in common with almost every fan brought to me which is the lack of cleaning/maintenance or utilising an incorrect technique to clean the fans.

1. Cleaning the grille and blade isn't enough, as shown in the photo below, a lot of dust and debris get stuck inside the motor housing causing problems, one being that the motor may become sluggish and the other being that dust blocks the vents at the back of the cover which are meant for air to circulate and cool down the motor. Blocked vent holes means heat is unable to escape and may trip the thermal fuse causing the fan to simply stop spinning. Simple solution is to use a screwdriver to open up and clean off the inside once or twice a year. Some say they don't know how to do it as the oscillating knob is blocking, on kdk and Panasonic fans the oscillating knob is not held down by any screws, just pull with force upwards and it will come out.




2. Using excessive amounts of water in cleaning. Personally i don't recommend washing fans. But if you must do it make sure to let everything dry before assembling back. People put wet blades onto the shaft and causes it to rust, even worse that water will drip into the bearings causing it to rust and make noise. A number of people have perfectly working fan but can't use as too noisy due to rusted bearings. Unfortunately once bearing damaged it is irreversible

3. Fans needs oiling from time to time. It's a moving mechanism after all and like your cars engine, the bearings and motor require lubrication at least once every year. Some people leave their fans unlubricated and it becomes so stiff until it can't move and they think it's spoilt. Also always remember there are 2 bearings im every fan, one in th front and at the rear.

do you have any step by step tutorial for fan servicing? maybe with pics?

 

[coldwinter00]

Its not a batch issue. All models made after 2006/07, including the ones being sold currently are affected because there was a shift in the type of capacitor used from Metallised film to polyester film. It's just a matter of time before it gives way, could happen within 1 year or 10 years, depends on environment and usage.

ic. anyway I have purchased ceiling fan 60FW and technician will install this Wednesday. cross fingers.

 

[Jmathew1108]

Mathew, how to replace the capacitor at the motor?

any recommendation for a ceiling light fan?

Just cut and strip the wire, then twist together with electrical tape or use those plastic connectors to join the new capacitor. Capacitor has no polarity.

 

[Jmathew1108]

do you have any step by step tutorial for fan servicing? maybe with pics?

Can pm or text me your specific fan model and the problem,i try to help you

 

[cscs3]

This type of capacitor problem happen in all brand except thos invertor or DC motor model. Normally it can last 3 years or more depending on your useage. More start stop will shorten its life as it is use to kick start the motor.

You can get these capacitor from Sim Lim tower.

 

[Some_one]

Suggest you don't buy. If you need light go for fanco or crestar. If the PCB fails the you'll lose all control of the fan. If other brand remote spoil just change the receiver and good to go. Kdk need to dismantle from ceiling and pull out PCB board and replace. Somemore only 1 year warranty even at $800.

Hi Jmathew1108, is your recommendation on these 2 brands still valid ?

I need to buy ceiling fans for living area and bedrooms.

 

[o blong]

Hi Jmathew1108, is your recommendation on these 2 brands still valid ?

I need to buy ceiling fans for living area and bedrooms.

Personal experience.. those 2 brands also got occasional pcb/capacitor problems..especially the LED pcb.. just like the kdk described by jmathew



Not sure which brand to trust now

 

[Some_one]

My observation is that regardless of whatever brand, expect an average lifespan of about 5 years before issues start to come up. So decide for yourself how much you are willing to spend for a fan with such a lifespan. Don't think paying more for it or buying a kdk automatically means that it will last long/be problem-free. Pretty much every appliance these days are designed to fail

If you want to buy in sg, i would think fanco is good enough.

My ultimate recommendation would be, if you have a vehicle and the time, go to JB and buy kdk/Panasonic fans from there. Getting the same thing at half or one third the price you'd pay here. A steal for kdk motor quality and even if it spoils, throwing it out won't be such a heartache.

Thank you for your alternative suggestion. For fans bought in JB, how do I get installation and after-sale technical support in SG (I'll pay) ? I understood, no "international warranty".

o blong, thanks.

 

[Citiguy]

Excellent thread!

Yes, well said.

 

[cscs3]

Thank you for your alternative suggestion. For fans bought in JB, how do I get installation and after-sale technical support in SG (I'll pay) ? I understood, no "international warranty".

o blong, thanks.

There is no perfect solution. If you are paying somewhere 1/3 to 1/2 of what you are paying in Singapore. You may have to forgo warranty or find sometime to bring back for warranty claim. Worse case, buy 2 at a cost of 1 to covers warranty.

 

[Jmathew1108]

Thank you for your alternative suggestion. For fans bought in JB, how do I get installation and after-sale technical support in SG (I'll pay) ? I understood, no "international warranty".

o blong, thanks.

Installation any handyman or electrician can do for you since fans are identical to what's found here. Warranty wise, don't think you should worry too much as kdk fan almost will never fail within the 1 year warranty period. Small risk to take for the big savings.

 

[Some_one]

Installation any handyman or electrician can do for you since fans are identical to what's found here. Warranty wise, don't think you should worry too much as kdk fan almost will never fail within the 1 year warranty period. Small risk to take for the big savings.

Ok, saw installation quotes, around $50/fan.

For repair after X years, I couldn't find much clue. There used to be a guy in a HDB shop near my place, but he had since retired.

 

[Some_one]

There is no perfect solution. If you are paying somewhere 1/3 to 1/2 of what you are paying in Singapore. You may have to forgo warranty or find sometime to bring back for warranty claim. Worse case, buy 2 at a cost of 1 to covers warranty.

Oh yes, no international warranty, I knew and accepted that. I'm finding a technician for that eventuality as going back and forth JB may not worth the effort. Stock up extra set is a common strategy for distributor or local agent, my concern is storage space. I wonder we can forum a local self-help stockists community, Lol. I can solve the spare issue but I still need an on-site electrician as my first choice.