RE: (ET) New (to me) deck motor failure mode.

["Hazen, Dwight L" <hazen indiana edu>]

 Yep, the time I fried a drive motor it was in the 90's. So be careful 
using
your mower in the hot time of the day. Remember these ElecTraks are 30 
years
old. Newer motors have higher temp insulation on the wires. 

  Dwight 



Dwight L. Hazen, Indiana University, UITS 
Bloomington, In. 47408-7378 Phone 812-855-5367 hazen indiana edu
http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~hazen/ Ham Radio wb9tlh arrl net
NetMeeting Directory server for IU ils.iu.edu
IP Phone number 812-856-9251



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elie, Larry (L.D.) [SMTP:lelie ford com]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 1:39 PM
> To:   elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject:      (ET) New (to me) deck motor failure mode.
> 
> 90 deg. weather and mowing don't go hand in hand to me.  Regardless, I
> tried a little mowing.  Suddenly I saw smoke on my right motor.  Quickly
> shut down with the two wires welded together.  First guess was the wires;
> wrong.  I pulled the lid, made new connections, and tried again.  The
> insulation caught fire.  The motor was TURNING, and the current (load)
> meter was in the red.  I swapped out the motor, and will pull that puppy
> apart when I get the chance.  It spins freely, just yanks tons of 
> current.
> My guess; some wire on the armature are fused together.  I have spares.
> Just a bit exciting, my other motor failures have been much less 
> exciting.
> 
> Larry Elie