Thursday, February 17, 2011

Changed my ceiling fans from Panasonic FM14C5 to Alpha VS-5

About 5 years ago, I installed 3 Panasonic FM14C5 ceiling fans in my house. It was an OEM of a similar KDK fan. It has pretty good looks and feels, and functioned well until recently, 2 of the 3 units gave problem and disappointed me.


The problem ceiling fans gave out noise when operating. They also no longer controllable with the remote control. And their warranty period was over.

I called my electrician friend to come and take a look. He said many household already encountered the same problem with this model of Panasonic ceiling fan. The motor control circuit is damaged and only serviceable by Panasonic.

As a result, I decided to change the 2 problem Panasonic FM14C5 ceiling fans to Alpha VS-5.


Alpha VS-5 is slightly more expensive than FM14C5, but yet within the range of RM2xx. It looks bulkier, but actually is better than FM14C5 because:
  • VS-5 has 5 blades, while FM14C5 only have 4 blades
  • The blade of VS-5 is ABS type, while FM14C5's is metal type
As a result, VS-5 is able to deliver stronger wind, and its operation is very quiet because ABS is used for its blades.

Hope that these Alpha VS-5 ceiling fans in my house can last longer.

15 comments:

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

i tot ur house fully aircon wan ;p

Voyager8 said... Reply To This Comment

@Anonymous

Perhaps you can look at Tips #5 of this article:

Increasing the efficiency of your air-cond

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

I faced the same problem as you with FM14C5, I changed to another panasonic fan

Han.

jhlee said... Reply To This Comment

panasonic fans are of a very low quality nowadays. I have 12 in my house and 3 already spoilt and another one making lots of noise while the one in my maid's room will only move at the certain low speed.
When they were under National the quality was good and my old house i used them for 40 years without problems. Now, after 3-4 years, one by one the panasonic fans are dying on me :-(

Anonymous said... Reply To This Comment

thank you for sharing.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

I also facing the same problem with panasonic 5 blades ceiling fan it's very disappointed.Now I decided to buy alpha vs-5 and I hope it will last at lease 5 years.

eileen said... Reply To This Comment

hi guys! I also face the EXACT problems with my panasonic fans... noisy and unable to use the remote....@_@

Staci said... Reply To This Comment

Your new one has more blades, so expect it to be a lot more powerful. Although the previous one looks classier, it seems that the VS-5 with its five shorter blades, would be more convenient. Anyway, this was two years ago, did the alpha VS-5 last longer than FM14C5? Staci @ BrooklynFan.com

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

I have 3 units of these panasonic remote fans for about 3 years back. All 3 are having the same PCB board issue one by one. I replace 2 already with complete new PCB board bought from Pasar Road at KL. Seller claimed they were original replacement part supplied by Panasonic. Cost about RM65 to RM80.

Now, I will try to replace only the capacitor and see would it fix the problem.

Is it only me to feel the life span of these Pana fans are unreasonably short and Panasonic should had rectified the problem or stop marketing these fans.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

@LOONG YUK HOU loong

I get information that the PCB control board, one of the capacitor is the main culprit.

The square shape black color capacitor, can be replace by using similar value capacitor which cost RM2 - RM6 depend where you buy.

Already reported by a lot of owner that they had successful DIY repait it.

abangG said... Reply To This Comment

@LOONG YUK HOU loong
Thanks. Good sharing bro.
Tomorrow i will try to check the capacitor.

Lynn said... Reply To This Comment

If your alpha fan still good in condition? I am planing to buy alpha fan with light. Hope someone can advise. Thanks

Voyager8 said... Reply To This Comment

@Lynn

So far so good.

Czar said... Reply To This Comment

Useless Panasonic fans now. Don't buy them. The ones I bought more than 10 years ago not making any noise but the newer ones are making a racket after 1-2 years of usage.

Unknown said... Reply To This Comment

Very true. Bought 5 units of Bayu 5 blades and all units made noise within a year. Complained to Pana n they send technicians. Now noisy again .. .Fed up.

Post a Comment

Hint: Click on the "Older Posts" link to continue reading, or click here for a listing of all my past 3 months articles.