D882 NPN Transistors Keep Burning After Motor Replace

[FShahid]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. Previously I been on badcaps forum for computer-related repairs.

I have a rechargeable dc fan which runs on 12V Lead-Acid battery. It has been running great for last 4 years until recently when the motor went dead.
I think when motor died it put load on two D882P NPN transistors and fried it. The person who was using it told me that fan started making noises and was slowing down and smell starts to come.

Upon opening and inspection of the motor it is found that both carbon brushes were gone, so I went ahead to find replacement motor in the market.
However I searched each and every shop but couldn't find exact replacement one, possibly due to the voltage rating and the shape of motor.
Somebody then searched in shop and gave me similar replacement motor, slightly shorter (about 1 cm) but same diameter motor.

I bought it and also bought four D882 NPN transistors (extra 2 just in case). Upon replacing and installing the motor I tested it. The fan has three speeds. The fan started working for like half a minute and the speed was adjustable too but after some time within a minute the smoke starts coming out of the replaced D882 transistors. I quickly powered it off and inspected it was very very hot, and one of them was completely fried. One thing to note that when it starts to smoke the fan was running at same speed (not ajdustable) no matter what speed I select so I guess the transistor was fried by then. I replaced the fried one with another transistor and same thing, it worked fine for half a minute (with speed adjustable) then start heating up rapidly that it smoked.

I guess the seller gave me motor that is meant to work at lower voltages which is why at 12V it is taking more current than the transistor can handle.

So if anyone could suggest what replacement NPN transistors I shall buy next so that it can handle the new motor load. I'm thinking TIP141 can work but not so expert in electronics...

Datasheet for D882: https://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/2sd882.pdf
(The original one in rechargeable fan was D882P and the replacement I got is NEC D882)
Datasheet for TIP141 which I think can work but then the DC Current Gain difference is too much: https://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/TIP140-D.PDF