I am looking for troubleshooting tips to repair the electrical motor on my jointer. The motor is a general purpose
Saturday I ran some stock through my jointer, no problem (as usual). I turned it off, then after 15 minutes I turned it on again. The motor did not rotate. I disconnected power and checked to see if something was jammed. No jam. The motor rotates freely. (The motor had worked fine until that point.)
When power is applied to the motor, there is no noise, but there is current draw (judging by the dimming of my lights).
I disconnected the start capacitor and checked it with an ohm meter. It was in the megohm range. Other than throwing in a new start cap, does anyone have additional troubleshooting tips? I’m pretty familiar with electricity and electronics, but I lack experience when it comes to these types of motors.
Thanks in advance
Replies
If you lights dim, it sounds like you have a big short somewhere.
Use the process of elimination to isolate the problem. Disconnect the motor, and turn on the switch to make sure it is coming through. Check voltage on both leads if 220 etc.
If it is a capacitor-start, open frame, single phase motor, it is possible some trash has gotten between the starting switch contacts. This is often a centrifugal switch, and is what more or less kick-starts the motor. AFTER DISCONNECTING IT FROM THE POWER, If you can't blow out the debris, you can carefully remove the end-bell and inspect the switch. Good Luck,
John in Texas
If I were checking out that capacitor I would be very suspicious with a megaohm reading. Try taking the cap out, short the contacts, and recheck it. It should take minutes to charge that cap up with an ohm meter. So, it should read a short, with slowly building resistance.
Ring out the starting winding with your ohm meter, could be open, common problem. Should be 2 to 6 or maybe 8 ohms if I remember correctly.
KDM
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