Electric Motor Died

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
The other day I plunged in my grinder and there was a spark. After checking I saw the wire was frayed right at the plug. I installed a new wire and plug, and now the motor will run for a few seconds and just stop. It also feels a little hot, even though it only ran for 15-30 seconds. It's not all that old a motor, although it's seen a lot of use over the past 8 years. If I can find someone who repairs electric motors, do you guys think it's fixable? I do have another one I'm using with no problems, I just like having a spare.
 
Could it be bad brushes? I'd imagine there's only so much that can go wrong and when it comes to motors brushes are usually the culprit... My bandsaw took a crap, and I'm banking on that being the issue, it's just a matter of how to get to them, if you can find a replacement, and how much the time and effort reflect in comparison to getting a new motor with similar specs.

Also, might behoove you to post an ad on Craigslist for motor repair. There are people out there who deal regularly with scrappers and can offer up an operating unit in trade for yours.
 
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There are only a couple of things you can do for a motor like this. I looked it all up when my old one crapped out. The capacitor and I think its a thermal overload. Other then that it would have to be rewound which I dont think anyone does anymore or that it is cost effective. The other parts are easy and cheap to do yourself.
 
Thanks guys. It probably doesn't matter anyway, I can't find anyone within reasonable driving distance who could repair it. Good thing I had a spare, even if it does turn the opposite direction and I had to mount it differently.
 
Cant you change the direction by swapping a couple of wires? I know in the grizzly capacitor start ones that are 110v you swap the two blue leads I think it is.
 
If the problem is a capacitor, they are pretty cheap and easy to replace. Grainger & McMaster-Carr carry most of the common sizes. That said, the symptoms you describe don't sound like a start capacitor problem. A failed start cap usually results in the motor not starting at all, or starting in reverse. If your motor has a run cap as well, that might be the problem. The caps are mounted in cans screwed to the motor body. If there's only one, that's the start cap, if there are 2 then one is a run cap. Look at the rating in Volts and Mfd, get one that's the same rating and size. BTW be careful not to short the capacitor contacts when removing the old one from the motor. There may be a lot of electricity stored in there.
 
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