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Thread: Electric Motor Maintenance
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20th May 2015, 06:32 PM #1New Member
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Electric Motor Maintenance
Hi all, especially the sparkles,
I have a 1 hp electric motor which hadn't run for 30 years. It initially didn't start reliably. And when it did start it vibrated and was noisy.
The switch checks out ok. So supply wasn't a problem. Upon internal inspection, there was a lot of dust, some surface rust and a wasps nest. After cleaning this away the motor now starts reliably and runs smoothly.
my question is...
should I leave the motor as is or is there benefit in giving the contacts and brushes a light spray with CRC 2-26 or similar product to improve the motors life and reliability.
Just as a disclosure, I'm not an electrician, but mechanical aptitude is up there and I know enough to not not electrocute myself.
Thanks Geoff.
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20th May 2015, 06:47 PM #2
Just give the motor a good blast of compressed air every now and again especially if it is in a dusty environment.
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20th May 2015, 07:16 PM #3Banned
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Did you have it apart? I'd have given it a birthday by throwing a new set of bearings in it. But as you say its running. No telling how much of the oil has separated out of the grease.
You mention brushes. Its a DC motor? I'd check they aren't clagged in by old carbon. They have to be free to float in the holder.
Regards Phil.
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20th May 2015, 09:08 PM #4Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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If it has had a wasps nest inside it I would definitely take it apart and get it out of there.
At the mens shed an old wasps nest was left inside a DP motor and eventually it disintegrated and made a mess including shorting out coils and tripping breakers. the motor was not worth fixing and had to be thrown out.
Like Phil says while an old motor is open, if you plan on keeping it for a while changing the bearings is not a bad idea.
Otherwise if it spins freely and stays cool it should be good to go.
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21st May 2015, 03:55 PM #5New Member
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Thanks
Hi everybody, many thanks for your assistance and replies.
its single phase 240 volts, 1440 rpm.
I agree re the bearings, so it's now dismantled and bearings on the way.
with a replacement cost of over $350, I recon a few dollars on bearings is good insurance.
Any thoughts about spraying with the CRC?
thanks Geoff.
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22nd May 2015, 10:14 AM #6Banned
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- Melbourne Australia
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No harm in giving it a clean with any gentle solvent like that, just make sure its aired out and dry again before you apply power.
Baking them at low temp 60C if the bride will let you use her oven. Or sit it on an old electric fry pan for an hour or two.
I have a re-winder directly across the road from my factory. They daily take to the internals with one of those diesel fueled hot pressure washers. Just to get all the dirt off the windings. But they have an oven to bake the varnish. They do that on motors that they aren't going to re-wind.
Regards Phil.
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25th May 2015, 11:25 AM #7New Member
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25th May 2015, 12:32 PM #8Novice
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25th May 2015, 12:46 PM #9Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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27th May 2015, 10:04 AM #10New Member
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- Geelong
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Hi Justonething, thanks for the offer. Bearings off ok . And BobL, they are back on again. Warmed them up in an oven and they slid on.
cheers Geoff.
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