RE: (ET) RE: Motor problems

[Larry Elie <lelie ford com>]

Christopher Meier wrote...

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From:   Christopher Meier[SMTP:Christopher Meier cwix com]
Sent:   Friday, January 08, 1999 2:10 PM
To:     'Rhett T. George'; elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu
Subject:        (ET) RE: Motor problems

Well, I took the end bell off the motor a few minutes ago,
and a pile of carbon poured out... :-(  I knew it wouldn't
be great news.  This is the first large DC motor I've ever
had apart...   The brushes protrude about 1/4 inch past the
holders when fully extended, so I'm guessing they are due
for replacement.  The commutator is pitted. The bearing on
this end makes some noise (clicking, sounds like a dry
bearing) as it spins, and it stops rather quickly.  Looks
like new bearings are in order.

Since it looks like I oughta disassemble and clean the
motor (should I?), how about some hints from the pros on
how best to proceed.  Just remove end bells, replace bearings
and brushes, and vacuum clean?  Or pull armature out?  Use
some type of electronic cleaner spray to clean up the armature,
brush holders, end bells, etc?  How about sanding the armature
before installing brushes, or would just no load running with
the new brushes for a while be sufficient?  Any suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.

Chris 


Be CAREFUL!  Everything you have mensioned is REPAIRABLE!  Be careful with 
the MAGNETS!  If you 
break one, you will be buying a new motor shell!  I replaced bearings 
(that weren't bad yet) and lost a 
piece of the magnet.  Bad news.  That was only on a mower motor, but still 
the shell is $90.

Larry Elie