Baldor won't go...Suggestions??

happycat

happycat

Joined
Jun 21, 1999
Messages
752
I have a 1 horse baldor which has been living in my damp basement for the past several years. When I turn it on, it whines for a moment then cuts out. Doesn't turn at all. Yet, the motor turns freely by hand.
I think somebody told me it was a bad capaciter. Anybody know about motors? Is this easily fixable? If so, anybody know where I can get parts? Or is this better left to somebody who knows what theyre doing?
Ed
 
Check the yellow pages for a motor repair place there should be one in Binghamton.
 
You need to know a couple things. First, a capicitor gives the motor a boost to get it started by storing energy. That energy can remain even with the machine unpugged. So the first thing (after unplugging the machine) is to short out the terminals on the capacitor for a couple seconds to drain it. Don't worry about this part if it just a plastic connector. I'm not talking a life threatening thing here. In electricty class, we used to charge up capacitors and toss them to people walking into the roop. ZAP! <grin>

The capacitor will likely look like a cylinder with two wires coming out of it. You can take it out and probably get one the same at any electrical supply. If you really want the original eqipment part, send me the model number and I'll get you a price. By the way, the capacitor is not automatically the problem. Brushes or windings are also possible. The capacitor is cheap and easy thing to try though.
 
Then plug the motor back in w/ the capacitor reconnected, and test the voltage across the terminals. If it's dead, it'll be pretty low or zero voltage.

My Baldor has a small piece sticking out of it that's cylinder shaped on the outside, held in w/ 2 screws, inside which the cap is stored.

The other fairly easy thing to check is the wiring. Again, going off of experience with my Baldor 1HP, there's a toggle switch that turns it on. Take off the housing that holds in the switch, and inside is a bunch of wiring.
1) Make sure everything in there is together. Many of these wires are crimped together and one may have come undone.
2) Make sure it's all wired correctly. My motor's got a diagram telling how the wires should be connected for 115 or 230V, and depending on which direction the motor rotates. If something's amiss in this area, you may get a similar whining to what you heard.

Good luck

_z
 
a capacitor starts the motor with a jolt...
with-out anything attached to the shaft turn it on and give the shaft a spin
if it goes replace the capacitor..if it does not have a capacitor it may be the start winding are messed up or the contacts on the for lack of better words
gov switch could be corroded..but I'd say don't fry yourself if you're not sure what to touch or not.. :eek:
 
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