Home and Auto Electrical motor Help needed - Page 2

JOhn · 07-17-2009, 10:45 PM

OK, so living here in Wyoming I have no need for AC, only a Swamp Cooler. Well the old motor in it died last week. This is a 1/4 HP 2 speed electrical motor. Well when I hooked the new one up, it worked for about 30-45 seconds then kicked off. After setting, with the power off, for 4-5 minutes it will turn back on. I figured that the 14amp switch had gone bad, this is mounted in the house. Well I can't get a new switch till Monday, and it being over 90dg today I needed to do something as it's hotter than hell in here.
So I figured I'd just hook the power up direct to the low speed side, and run it for a while to at least cool the house of to sleep tonight. Well when I did it started doing the same thing.

Does anyone know if this is a issue with the motor or something else?

**Bwana** · 07-18-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Unplug it before you stick your hand in there. Otherwise you might get a "Kodak Moment".

Along with a cool new fro and a swell nickname like stubby.

JOhn, I would buy your maintenance lead over at the hotel chain a beer or two and have him come over and take a look at it.

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Along with a cool new fro and a swell nickname like stubby.

JOhn, I would buy your maintenance lead over at the hotel chain a beer or two and have him come over and take a look at it.

Yea I did that this morning, and he's going to come check it out after work tonight. Of course it's still gonna be hot has hell today.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys...
the motor is turning freely, when spun by hand. The shaft that runs the fan is free also, and I have it opened up so there is no restricted airflow. Haven't checked the the overload switch, if it has one.

I'm wondering if for some reason it might be getting to much juice? Gonna check the circuit here in a bit. But if all else fails, the head maintenance guy at our work said he'd come look at it tonight. That or I might pull the motor and take it to the maintenance shop and bench test it.

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

So, did you blow anything up?

No but I did get some pretty sparks when I unhooked the old motor....ALWAYS double check the breaker is actually off

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 09:59 AM

Well I think I have it fixed...........

I thought I would go double check everything again to make sure that nothing was causing it to overload. So in that effort, I loosed the adjustment so the belt was barely on, and would slip as opposed to hanging up.

Seems that was the issue the belt was to tight, causing to much drag

THANK you guys, took someone pointing out the obvious to get me to rethink the problem. Rep for all, except Skip, who I think wanted pic of an explosion or missing digit.

**Bugeater** · 07-18-2009, 10:04 AM

I was kinda hoping for an explosion as well.

Hydrae · 07-18-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

Well I think I have it fixed...........

I thought I would go double check everything again to make sure that nothing was causing it to overload. So in that effort, I loosed the adjustment so the belt was barely on, and would slip as opposed to hanging up.

Seems that was the issue the belt was to tight, causing to much drag

THANK you guys, took someone pointing out the obvious to get me to rethink the problem. Rep for all, except Skip, who I think wanted pic of an explosion or missing digit.

C'mon, we would all have enjoyed that pic.

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

C'mon, we would all have enjoyed that pic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I was kinda hoping for an explosion as well.

I MIGHT have spoke to soon.

It ran for 20 minutes this time, then shut down. Hmmmmmm

**Skip Towne** · 07-18-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

Well I think I have it fixed...........

I thought I would go double check everything again to make sure that nothing was causing it to overload. So in that effort, I loosed the adjustment so the belt was barely on, and would slip as opposed to hanging up.

Seems that was the issue the belt was to tight, causing to much drag

THANK you guys, took someone pointing out the obvious to get me to rethink the problem. Rep for all, except Skip, who I think wanted pic of an explosion or missing digit.

Hey, I was just being friendly.

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Hey, I was just being friendly.

I know, that's why I repped you anyway

nstygma · 07-18-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

I MIGHT have spoke to soon.

It ran for 20 minutes this time, then shut down. Hmmmmmm

same thing happened to my attic fan, i had to loosen the belt. is it still acting up?

JOhn · 07-18-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nstygma

same thing happened to my attic fan, i had to loosen the belt. is it still acting up?

Well it was, so I took it to work & the maintenance dept hooked it up on the bench. It was going out or was a bad motor to begin with.

So went to hardware store & got a new one.....Ahhhhhh Cool air at last

nstygma · 07-18-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

Well it was, so I took it to work & the maintenance dept hooked it up on the bench. It was going out or was a bad motor to begin with.

So went to hardware store & got a new one.....Ahhhhhh Cool air at last

i wish i could use a swamp cooler here in kc, but its way too humid

07-17-2009, 10:45 PM
JOhn El' Barto Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Cody, WY / Tucson AZ Casino cash: $9964900	Electrical motor Help needed OK, so living here in Wyoming I have no need for AC, only a Swamp Cooler. Well the old motor in it died last week. This is a 1/4 HP 2 speed electrical motor. Well when I hooked the new one up, it worked for about 30-45 seconds then kicked off. After setting, with the power off, for 4-5 minutes it will turn back on. I figured that the 14amp switch had gone bad, this is mounted in the house. Well I can't get a new switch till Monday, and it being over 90dg today I needed to do something as it's hotter than hell in here. So I figured I'd just hook the power up direct to the low speed side, and run it for a while to at least cool the house of to sleep tonight. Well when I did it started doing the same thing. Does anyone know if this is a issue with the motor or something else?
Posts: 25,529

07-18-2009, 09:59 AM	#19
JOhn El' Barto Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Cody, WY / Tucson AZ Casino cash: $9964900	Well I think I have it fixed........... I thought I would go double check everything again to make sure that nothing was causing it to overload. So in that effort, I loosed the adjustment so the belt was barely on, and would slip as opposed to hanging up. Seems that was the issue the belt was to tight, causing to much drag THANK you guys, took someone pointing out the obvious to get me to rethink the problem. Rep for all, except Skip, who I think wanted pic of an explosion or missing digit.
Posts: 25,529

07-18-2009, 10:04 AM	#20
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	I was kinda hoping for an explosion as well.
Posts: 70,546