Thread: Drum sander needs help

JCWalsh are in Airport West, they sell and service woodworking machinery.

It is possible that the issue is being caused by dust buildup overloading the motor also so it might pay to check the unit mechanically.
When you say it trips the safety switch after 10 seconds running, do you mean a combined circuit breaker/earth leakage detector, or or a standalone earth leakage detector with a gang of circuit breakers following? If it is a combined breaker/EL detector, it could be tripping due to either over current or earth leakage, supporting the possibility of mechanical overload. If you have separate ELD and breakers, is the motor tripping the ELD or the breaker? Again if it is tripping the breaker, I would suspect a mechanical issue causing motor overload and over current.

Thanks for the feedback. I will check for dust and build up on the motor.

Both the magnetic switch on the unit itself and the 15 amp circuit break on the switchboard trip.

Before it trips, the motor that turns the 2 drums and the conveyor belt move normally - so no unusual noises.

One of my mates suggested it could be a capacitor issue.

regards

Remove the load on the motor (pulley belt or sanding belt/rooll) and see if it starts and runs OK. If it does then you know it's load related.
I'd also be putting an ammeter on the mains input to see what it was drawing

You also might want to have a look at this
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f271/3hp-1p-motor-tripping-rcd-tripping-191797

I think that if you clean the motor the problem will be solved. From your description the problem seems to be the starter circuit is staying engaged. The starter circuit is supposed to drop out after the motor is up to speed. Dust and what not can prevent this switch from dropping out.

Thanks for everyone's input. I unmounted the motor and cleaned it out as best as I could. Unfortunately, still no luck.

So either there is short in the motor or some relay is gone. I have come to the end of the line with my knowledge and skill )

Any know electricians in the Essendon area of Melbourne that one could recommend?

Thanks

I had an similar problem with my planer/thicknesser. I removed the motor and took it to Melbourne Electric Motor Services in Thomastown Ph:9466 2331. They checked it on the spot and found it had a faulty capacitor which was replaced then and there. Half an hour and $60.00 and the motor was OK again.

Yeah assuming it is single phase and that you can freely spin the motor with your hand, and the motor isn't actually turning when you switch it on, I would change the cap / caps. You can usually do this yourself as they are usually plug and play. Otherwise do as the above post says.

After much research and the great guidance from the Forum members, the problem has been identified. The two capacitors have blown!

Now off to find the suppliers for the capacitors, which I don't believe will be too difficult.

Thanks for the input
Stevo

If you cannot get them locally, Hare & Forbes should have them. I had to replace the capacitor on my Hafco bandsaw and they were able to get one to me from Sydney in very short time.

Originally Posted by Chesand

If you cannot get them locally, Hare & Forbes should have them. I had to replace the capacitor on my Hafco bandsaw and they were able to get one to me from Sydney in very short time.

Thanks Chesand. Will start with a Hare and Forbes first.