Small ball bearings - which grease?

[larrymoencurly]

What grease should I use for unsealed ball bearings found in very small electric motors that spin at 1,000-6,000 RPM and similar in size to fan motors use in computers?

I tried some ordinary NLGI #1 lithium grease in a couple, but the motors spun about 20% slower than normal until they ran for a few minutes.

 

[michaelc80]

You might try posting this in the Grease or the Compressors, Generators,Electric Motors, Bearings forums. It might get better visibility there.

 

[Kestas]

Unsealed?... I'd use a drop of oil every now and then.

 

[DriveHard]

What are they being used in (more details). My first reaction is to say just stick with the grease and deal with the slowdown in the short term.

 

[Eddie]

Kestas has it. Use an oil specifically for that applacation. Bodine motors used to supply buyers of their 8000 rpm motors with a one oz bottle of their oil. It seemed to be very thin but, had some tack to it. I also seem to remember an oil wick at the bearing which you would put a drop on.