Electrical problem with new grinder

raylaconico

raylaconico

Joined
Jan 30, 2004
Messages
4,030
I just got a kalamazoo 2x72 grinder with a Baldor 1hp motor. I finally got the thing put together and mounted then when I went to grind for the first time it started to slow down and died. The power supply to my garage shut off and I had to go out to the fuse box and reset it. When I tried it again, same thing happened. Is there a way to fix this myself or do I have to call an electrician? I don't know much about electrical stuff. Thanks.
-Ray
 
I'm not an electrician, but it seems to me you may need to put that machine on a bigger breaker. Is your grinder on the same circuit with a lot of other things. lights, other outlets, etc.? Check the amps on your breaker and see if it's a 15 or 20 amp breaker. If so, try putting a 30 amp breaker on that circuit and see if it kicks.
It's not that hard to do once you have the cover off your breaker box. just turn off the main breaker to the box and you should be able work on the wiring safely. Take note of how everything is attached to the breaker you are replacing and just swap it out with the new one. You'll want to be careful not to overload your system though.
If you don't feel comfortable with that kind of stuff, you may want to have an electrician do it for you. They may have a better solution anyway.
 
Sounds like you're just on the limit of power ,when you start to grind the currant draw increases and you pop the breaker. Since you don't know electricity the best would be to call an electrician and have him take a look at your system and upgrade it. Do not use a breaker bigger than the system was designed for -that's a good way to start a fire !
 
If your breaker box is anything like mine, call an electrician. Even if you do know electrical, I still say call an electrician! Let them screw with it. Life's too short to become a lightning rod, in my book! :D
 
Definitely don't just pop in a larger breaker. The wiring run in the walls was meant to be used with the breaker that is there. Probably a 14 gauge wire and a 15 amp breaker. If you go putting a bigger breaker in you might start a fire. I can't remember the specifics, but I think 20 amp circuits have to be on 12 gauge wire, and 30 amps definitely would.
 
Sounds like a motor problem. A standard 15 amp breaker should carry 1 HP (who knows what else was on the breaker though). The fact it surges up, runs, then slows under load and kicks out makes me think grinder problem.

RL
 
I plugged it into the outlet for the washing machine/dryer and now it works fine. It is 20 amp. the garage outlet is 15 amp and nothing else was on at the same time. I also have a 1hp motor on my bandsaw and no problem with it. Maybe the Baldor brand motor requires more power. Who knows.
 
The bandsaw probably does not draw as much current under load as the grinder. Current requirement will increase with load. The circuit will not realize 1 HP (742 or a little more watts) while the motor is under little load.

I would have expected the 15 amp breaker to carry the motor longer but I was wrong about that.

RL
 
raylaconico said:
I plugged it into the outlet for the washing machine/dryer and now it works fine. It is 20 amp. the garage outlet is 15 amp and nothing else was on at the same time. I also have a 1hp motor on my bandsaw and no problem with it. Maybe the Baldor brand motor requires more power. Who knows.
Click to expand...

distance along with what Roger said.. at 100 feet you loses a lot you have to go up one gage every 100 feet just to maintain volt and amp. draw.

your saw is geared down and the grinder is not if I'm guessing right..
low currant causes more motor heat too..see your friendly electro guy... :)
 
If you have room in your breaker box for another breaker I'd run a direct line to you grinder but if like everyone else has said if you feel uncomfortable doing it hire an electrician. Better that than to burn your house down..
 
I got a quote from an electrician for $250 to put a dedicated line with a 20 amp breaker. I'll have to do that someday, but for now I'll just use the washing machine outlet. The only bad thing is that I can't work if my wife is doing laundry. Anyway, I just finished grinding my first blade on the new grinder. It was a little awkward at first. I've been using a 4x36 for 4 years The 2x72 is so much faster especially with the ceramic belt. I just need to get used to it so I can control it better. Here's a picture of the blade, I thought I'd share. Thanks guys.
 
Years ago I had a big jointer given to me.Only problem was back then my shop had only a twin 15 amp breaker box.The jointer tripped the breaker every time.Then the little light bulb went on! I almost never use my generator for emergency lighting,and all that money just made a good home for spiders.I built a little "dog house" for the generator,next to the shop,and put an outlet on the wall from the generator.When I needed power,I fired that bad boy up,and plugged in the jointer.Problem solved.I know of one fellow in Louisa ,Va. who runs his whole shop on a generator,has 220 and everything.
 
:eek: Laundry room - Grinding Steel!!!!! :eek:

I hope she loves you enough to get through this.;)

Rob!
 
I don't actually use it in the laundry room. I only plug it in there and use it in the garage. My laundry room is next to the garage.
 
Not sure about your Baldor, but mine was set up for 230V when I got it so had to do a little rewiring (as well as reversing the direction).

Mine has a little diagram on the cover, if this is a problem lemme know I can help.

_z
 
raylaconico said:
I don't actually use it in the laundry room. I only plug it in there and use it in the garage. My laundry room is next to the garage.
Click to expand...


that's got to be a pain
plug it in run it out to the shop use it run it back in plug it in run back out to the shop.. no wonder it's boging down :p :D :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top