My brand-new 1hp 3ph grinder motor is making noises ("bump-bump-bump" - not belt seam, definitely in the motor) - and it's the 2nd motor to do that; in fact, it's the warranty replacement for the 1st. The tech support guy at the supplier said something about me putting a ("lateral"/"side"?) load on it - i.e. the belt tension on the drive wheel pulling the shaft sideways, vs. the motor just turning something on the same axis. That that'd possibly damage the bearings, hence the thump-thump-thump. The reason they replaced the 1st one under warranty was that they didn't actually say the motor wasn't rated for a (whatever) load - but I got the sense that might get updated. >;-)
ANYhow: I now have 2 motors - otherwise pretty nice, and one effectively free! - with (I think!) bad bearings. Should I replace the bad bearings with better ones (maybe roller/needle instead of ball?) that can handle a side-load. Has anyone had similar experiences, or have any good knowledge as to where to go from here? (Please: do NOT respond with "you should've bought a better motor, go with Baldor/Leeson, etc." scoldings - advice is about the future, not the past.
MUCH appreciated!
ANYhow: I now have 2 motors - otherwise pretty nice, and one effectively free! - with (I think!) bad bearings. Should I replace the bad bearings with better ones (maybe roller/needle instead of ball?) that can handle a side-load. Has anyone had similar experiences, or have any good knowledge as to where to go from here? (Please: do NOT respond with "you should've bought a better motor, go with Baldor/Leeson, etc." scoldings - advice is about the future, not the past.
