L56 blower assembly

[hawkins111]

Because Laser 56 heaters have been around for over 25 years now, we are seeing issues with components due to age. The last L56 was built around 2015.

One of the components that is showing its age is the blower assembly. You can still get a new complete unit, or a new combustion motor. Some of the assemblies that are installed have had several motors installed. Each time the assembly has to be removed from the flue pipe. This operation can put a lot of stress on the pipe coming out of the blower assembly. Too much stress on the pipe can break it away from the body. If this happens there is a break in the exhaust side of the system, which will put exhaust into the room.

Any time you have the blower assembly out of the unit it should be inspected carefully. Take time to look at the pipe coming out to the blower. Any compromise of the pipe to blower box connection is reason to discard the whole blower assembly.

This can be a bit expensive if a new assembly is required. A new blower assembly costs around $450. It would be unethical to attempt to repair the pipe to box joint, due to the potential of CO getting into the room.

[DarkKnight]

Thanks for sharing such detailed information about the Laser 56 heater and the importance of inspecting the blower assembly! It's good to know that compromising the pipe-to-box joint is a serious concern.

This can be a bit expensive if a new assembly is required. A new blower assembly costs around $450. It would be unethical to attempt to repair the pipe to box joint, due to the potential of CO getting into the room.

I’m curious—if someone with an older unit notices a small issue with the pipe connection, is there any safe way to temporarily fix it, or is replacing the whole assembly the only option? The replacement seems pretty expensive.

[TinyTool]

Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. I hope this information helps guide folks on the right course of action to address this known issue safely. I know replacing the full blower assembly is an expensive proposition, but the potential harm of a failure far outweighs the financial burden.

[hawkins111]

As a Toyostove Service Dealer I would not make any repair on this part. The chance of failure is high and the result of failure is unacceptable. Carbon Monoxide is nothing to play with.

The location of the break is subject to lots of force when the flue pipes are installed or removed. The chance of a break in the repair are very high. Once the blower is installed in the cabinet, there is very little room to work on the pipe. The "O" rings on the bent pipe or extension pipe get very hard over time and almost glue them selves to the pipe. Heating with a torch will soften them somewhat. A helpful hint is to use a liberal amount of Anti seize compound on the "O" ring. This will help during the next removal.

As I see it, the only remedy to a separated pipe, is a replacement of the complete blower assembly. BTW, the newer L560 has the same style blower assembly

[DarkKnight]

Thank you, your explanation makes a lot of sense. Safety really isn’t something to mess around with, especially when carbon monoxide is involved.

[machinist]

Thank you, Hawkins111. Very informative advice!