Part 3/7:
Equipped with a cheap ceiling fan from Menards, the author embarked on a quest to quantify the thrust produced by the fan while it operates. With input from Dan “Spiffy” Neuman, a ceiling fan expert, a makeshift test rig was created using common items found in the warehouse. This rig allowed for a safe and effective way to measure thrust without losing control of the fan.
When the ceiling fan was powered on, initial readings showed the fan's weight decreasing as it generated thrust. Although the initial weight was recorded at 11.5 pounds, subsequent measurements indicated that the fan became 0.46 pounds lighter while operating. Through careful calculations, it was determined that the fan produced approximately 209 grams of thrust.