Electra Beckum planer/thicknesser electric woes

[Ari2]

Hi all,

I need some advice on where to go to to have electric motor of my 1980's EB HC 260 M looked at. Yesterday I turned the switch ... nothing but a very faint electrical humm. To even hear this I had to turn off the overhead flouros. I have done the usual things, checked that power was actually getting to machine, switched power points, manually turned cutter head (with power off) to ensure that nothing was blocking it from rotating, disconnected drive belt from motor to see if it would start without load...nothing. I live in Bellerive, so any recommendations of a suitable service provider in the greater Hobart area would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards

Ari2

[Kidbee]

I had to get parts for an older Electra-Beckum panel saw a couple of years ago. Metabo who took over the company in 1999, supplied the parts instantly. However, it sounds like any good electrician can fix your problem. Maybe it could just be the condensor.

[NCArcher]

Capacitor is the word you are looking for Kidbee. And yes it sounds like the start capacitor has gone. Your local sparky should be able to check it for you.

[Ari2]

Thankyou Kidbee and NCArcher, just dropped motor and switch off at an electricians.

[damian]

Mine has always done that. If I haven't used it for months it takes ages to start then it'll stop and start fine, until it lays dormant again. It's not the motor. As above could be the start cap, but I've always assumed it's the switch. Mine is 86 or 87 as I recall and they use a pig awful mechanical switch which fails to off if power interrupted. I think it also has the overload switch incorporated. It's getting old and those things fail eventually. So do caps of course...

Great machine though, once it's going. Been thinking about a spiral upgrade.

[Ari2]

Hi Damian,

'Belstaff1464', a forumite, did a spiral upgrade to his EB in August 2016 and seemed very impressed. I think he is Brisbane based.

Ari2

[damian]

Ari2

Did you ever fix your machine? I was using mine yesterday and it stopped and now won't restart at all. Inconvenient. Mid job.

Anyway I suppose tomorrow I'll be getting out the multimeter...sigh..

[damian]

One of the terminals had lost it's screw so the wire was just sitting there. Thought it was an easy fix but still isn't working. 99% certain it's the switch.

Anyone got any suggestions on a cheap replacement ? I've written to metabo.

The switch incorporates the breaker and also switches off if power interrupted. Thinking about replacing it with a straight on off switch for $5 on ebay...

[Pete57]

No nothing about your machines but I have used these switches to replace ordinary on/off switches on old machinery:
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/2LV9050

[damian]

Thank you very much for that. They don't have much detail on their switches but I might pop down and chat to them.

I never realised machinery house had so many switches ...

[Pete57]

It has an extra connection for the magnetic latch (so machine stays powered off if power is interrupted) that needs that needs to connected in. Easily done but if not connected machine will not stay on after you release start button.

[damian]

I'm going to have another stab at the existing switch tomorrow, if I get time. The solenoid isn't pulling in so I'm wondering if there is a bad connection or loose wire.

I've also worked out how to search for NVR, no voltage release, switches on ebay. I THINK I may have a 10 amp breaker somewhere in the shed...

Carbatec also have a solid range of switches. I've been meaning to drive over there to get some kreg screws for a while so...that might make sense..

Thank you for your interest.