Condensor fan question

[scalebowler]

Ok today I had to investagate some noise in my machine and it turned out that there was this piece of what looked like a heavy duity cardboard with a hole cut into it around the fan blades of the condensor fan. Well there was only half of it left and a piece about an inch of it was hitting the fan blades so I had to cut some of it off so it would no longer hit it. My question is is this an important part that I need? I don't know what it does but I do know that there is almost none of it left and if I do need could someone tell me where to get it? Sorry about being so vauge in the description of this part but I really do not know much about it.

[collecture]

It is called a fan shroud - purpose was too concentrate the fan's pull through the condenser fins thus improving efficiency.
You can buy a replacement from Fun-Tronics - you'll need to measure the dimensions (HxW) of the condenser as there are different sizes.
Usually attached with 2 screws on each side and a couple of clips on top.

[scalebowler]

Could I make one? Looks like it was just some cardboard or thin MDF like the stuff pegboard is made of.

[Jim]

If Fun-Tronics doesn't have the correct fan shroud, you could easily make one from black poster board.
You could even eliminate the circle; create the shroud cover to three sides and extend just past the fan blades increasing air flow through the condenser.

[scalebowler]

I like the idea of building it to increase the air flow. I will have to try that.

[scalebowler]

Got another question about this motor. How do you remove the fan from the shaft? I was trying to do that so I could clean the blades off but I could not figure it out.

[Yarochrehc]

The fan blade is usually held on by either 1/4" nut or a flat washer type nut. Some times you have to take the entire fan motor assembly with bracket out to get to these parts.

[scalebowler]

Ok I was looking at some pictures of vendo machines on here and I noticed that there was a piece of cardboard on the side of the vent on the bottom to help channel the airflow to the condensor. Would that help my machine be more efficent? Also where can I find a new fan shroud? Here is a picture of what I am  talking about. http://soda-machines.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=570&Itemid=14