I had always assumed that "Reverse-Air" came *before* "Adapt-Air", but when you explained that it was the other way around, with *cost* of manufacturing being the driving factor, now it makes much more sense! Hunter Original 4-blade, w/ Adapt-Air (or Reverse-Air) has *always* been my #1 favorite ceiling fan. Back when the Chicago-area still had "Sizzler Steak House"/"Sizzler Family Restaurant," we had two distinct type of building styles; the one closest to where I grew up, was (I believe) the older-style building, "box-shaped," white building, with blue trim, a flat roof, blue & white awnings, and a lower, level "drop ceiling" and, of course, the Hunter Original Fans w/ Adapt-Air (or possibly Reverse-Air). They closed this older-style branch of Sizzlers in summer of 1990. The only reason that I knew the fans had "Adapt-Air" (or possibly "Reverse-Air") was that the fans were set to "reverse-flow" year-round -even in summer. My guess is that due to the lower ceiling, they would've made too much of a breeze on down-flow, plus they circulated the air conditioning just fine on "reverse" At the time, I was not even aware that these fans had mechanically-reversible blade brackets. I actually thought that, perhaps they came with 2 sets of brackets, as it seemed as though every fan I saw with "backward blades" (as I used to call them), seemed to always be set in reverse, no matter what the season was. The other chain of "Sizzler" restaurants had 4-blade Hunter fans, but not the "Originals". This chain of Sizzlers looked more like the ones they still have out West, with the vaulted ceilings, and big roof, (similar to the "Pizza Hut" roof), but they closed all of these, (in Chicago, and most of the Midwest) by late 1994, sadly. Anyway, great video! Thanks for the info on Adapt-Air & Reverse-Air!
I have a brass with cane blades as well. Has the hunter hum typical of the 80’s originals. The wum-wum-wum sound I find quaint and even a little comforting myself. Most of my originals are early eighties so they aren’t the quietest but man do they move air.
Yesterday I watched this video and today I ended up picking up a Hunter Original at an estate sale where I wasn't even expecting to find one... Thanks for uploading this video I probably wouldn't have picked it up if you hadn't uploaded this.
I’ve just ordered one identical to this but without the light from a store in Germany to use in the UK (240v, 50Hz) which was slightly cheaper at £569 (US$695) than the UK - you can buy them here but they are rare. Seriously expensive over here but I have wanted one for many years. I have several Hunter fans (4x Quiet Breeze 44” and a 52” Bronze Builder Fan - all 240v) and I love them. Great video
I have *numerous* 2.0AMP Made In USA Originals (NIB) never opened, polished brass and brushed nickel. Also many running in my home. I have one particular polished brass that has been running 24 hours a day since 1996
The first fan is what I call the "schoolhouse" fan. These were all over my school growing up. They were never used until the A/C went out and boy did you appreciate them considering I live in Louisiana.
I have a 2.0 amp original... my opinion its probably the most powerful original there is. It starts up very quickly even faster than my 2.5 amp original and turns way more rpm on high that my 2.5 amp.
Derek, thanks for the short history lesson on HO ceiling fans, Ive had them in all of my homes since 1979 ... Question, how many different size fans did hunter original come in ? 36" (2sd, non reversible), 42" 52" and 60" ? I have one of each, just recently purchased the 42" which doesn't have the larger motor like the others .. it doesn't need some TLC. Also picked up a 1970-80's ... 52" needs lot of TLC, non reversible 2 or 3 sp ... with plastic oil housing and plastic canopy which was surprising, Hunter management was changing to cost and product demand, Best
Over their history, I know of 32", 36" 42", 48" 52", 56" and 60" Hunter oil bath fans, with 3 motor sizes. The good news is that the latest, current Hunter Original motor design is a big improvement from the earlier overseas models.
MTLTV1765 Most likely competition. We have a unit from 1996 that only draws 0.85 Amperes. When your product is hanging in the showroom next to others that are half the price and 3 times as energy efficient ... you probably have to do something to compete. The bulk of buyers are not collectors, I wouldn’t think. Also, a large part of the market through Home Depot and Lowes (the 2 retail outlets representing probably 85-90+ % of the market) are retrofit applications where a home owner is purchasing a fan to install themselves. Having moved them from room to room (at the behest of a female in the process of redecorating), I can vouch for how heavy even the newer designs are. I can’t imagine how much a fan with a cast iron housing must weigh. It must at the minimum double the weight.
Derek: stephen hollomon again. Do you know where a person might access an internal wiring diagram (switch housing) for an 068130. It’s 3 speed with the dpdt reversing switch and no capacitor. I’m concerned primarily with the reversing switch wiring. One would think that google would provide but no luck so far.
I just got and hung my first original, a two speed ornate version. I’ve never had one before and I feel I over hyped their power to myself, but I do like the fan a lot. www.dropbox.com/s/xang4h3tnr68wla/Video%20Sep%2015%2C%205%2012%2031%20PM.mov?dl=0
Derek: I have a bunch of early ceiling fans I have collected through the years. I have a couple of hunters that may need bearings. Do you know of a reasonably priced source?
It's not uncommon for any shaded pole motor to run a little warm. Check the current draw to see if there is a shorted winding. It should pull no more than 2.5A max, and closer to 2A running on high.
This is a nice video. But it would be much better if in addition to explaining each fan and describing its features, the specific Hunter model number is also stated for the particular fan. This would enable a person when talking or emailing to others or to the Hunter agents about a fan to refer to a specific fan model number rather than just saying, for instance, "You got this fan that does XYZ and looks like .... ." Referring to a specific model number avoids misunderstandings and errors. That's why manufacturers use model numbers.
I have a 52" 22304-003 which is black cast iron, one round hole, 2.5A shaded pole motor, four rubber-isolated blades with woven rattan inserts and fixed half-moon irons. It had a schoolhouse-style light kit which I removed. Says "SER: L" on the label. My understanding is that it is from maybe 1981 or so. Any comments on these details, or the age? It seems to be two-speed but the switch has three positions + off, so maybe something is burned out. There are only red, black, and blue wires coming from the bottom of the switch.
