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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    8

    Default 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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
    Posts
    209

    Default

    Just give the motor a good blast of compressed air every now and again especially if it is in a dusty environment.
    Built: a Bench,a Desk,an Archery Display,

    Those were the droids I was looking for.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Melbourne Australia
    Posts
    1,376

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Geoff123 View Post
    I have a 1 hp electric motor which hadn't run for 30 years.
    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.

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    8

    Default 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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Melbourne Australia
    Posts
    1,376

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Geoff123 View Post
    Any thoughts about spraying with the CRC?
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Machtool View Post
    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.
    thanks Phil, wow, much more hardy than I would have expected. Cheers.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Melb
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Geoff123 View Post
    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.
    Do you need a press to get the bearings out? or a puller will suffice?

  9. #9
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by justonething View Post
    Do you need a press to get the bearings out? or a puller will suffice?

    A puller may suffice to get them off but a press is easier to put them back on.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    8

    Default

    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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