Thread: Lathe won't start

Yes, Phil, the connections can go either way. Just make sure you put them on the same terminals the old ones are - obviously.
As the labelling says, you nee a 150 microfarad 250VAC starting capacitor. Since many of our power supplies in rural Vic are actually 245V, you would be better off with one labelled 380VAC or even 400VAC as long as you can fit it in the space ir near it. That would give it a bit better longevity. Yours seems to have shorted internally, possibly after overheating and deforming the end and melted one connection off.

Joe

Hi Phil,

AC motor start caps aren't polarized, re-connect either way around, but you need the same capacitance, 150uF, and at least the same or higher voltage rating.

Those chinese caps, are pretty spectacular when they let go, I was at a friend's place when he had one go on his bandsaw, and filled a large shed with thick smoke in less than a minute... As it happened, I had a spare cap in the toolbox, and had his bandsaw repaired and back to running normally before the smoke had cleared..

Regards
Ray

PS Joe can type faster than me..

Hi Joe and Ray
Typical, you two are the ones who told me where to look for the problem at the scraping class. I finally got sick of roll starting the lathe. So if I get the same microfarads but can go higher in voltage it will still be ok
Thanks heaps gentlemen

Phil

Many thanks Joe and Ray
New capacitor fitted, a bit too big for it's original recess but hangin' on the outside secured with a cable tie. Lathe put back in position and leveled and no more roll starting.
Woo hoo

Phil

Well done Phil.

Joe

Originally Posted by RayG

Those chinese caps, are pretty spectacular when they let go, I was at a friend's place when he had one go on his bandsaw, and filled a large shed with thick smoke in less than a minute...

thats how long the one on the HM52 clone mill lasted...well maybe a tad longer....allright but it didnt last a week!

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Many thanks Joe and Ray
New capacitor fitted, a bit too big for it's original recess but hangin' on the outside secured with a cable tie. Lathe put back in position and leveled and no more roll starting.
Woo hoo

Phil

do you have dimensions of your old cap..i have several oldies but goodies floating around here...maybe one will fit

Hi Phil,
Did you ring them?
I bought a similar lathe(one size down but with likely the same motor). A cap dropped dead(but not as dramatically as you're or Rays friends). I rang the company up and they had some story about a batch of bad motors, come get a new one. Then I replace the cap for $35(!?), so now I have the new motor on the lathe and the old one I'm using for my scraper hone(for which it wouldn't really need the cap for anyway so it might be removed)

Stuart

Originally Posted by eskimo

do you have dimensions of your old cap..i have several oldies but goodies floating around here...maybe one will fit

Hi Eskimo
Thanks for the offer but I managed to find a place open who sold me one and it works a treat
It was a long weekend here because of the ballarat show and the whole place shuts down so I was very lucky
Thanks again

Phil

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi Phil,
Did you ring them?
I bought a similar lathe(one size down but with likely the same motor). A cap dropped dead(but not as dramatically as you're or Rays friends). I rang the company up and they had some story about a batch of bad motors, come get a new one. Then I replace the cap for $35(!?), so now I have the new motor on the lathe and the old one I'm using for my scraper hone(for which it wouldn't really need the cap for anyway so it might be removed)

Stuart

Hi Stuart
I reckon I might give them a call in the morning
My shaper could do with a new motor
Thanks for the tip

Phil

Stuart
I rang H&F and got told they won't be able to convince their supplier that it was faulty and that it now comes under the heading of wear and tear. So, no replacement part or motor but he did tell me where I can buy new motors and spares.
Bugga

Phil

Hi Phil,
Motor drops dead after 6 months on a $5k+ lathe and they call it(I dont care what they think their supplier might call it, your warranty is with them not their supplier) fair wear and tear! If thats fear wear and tear what wouldnt be?


"(a) the warranty applies on the basis of the Goods being used on the equivalent of a single daily eight (8) hour shift."

Just how many 8 hour shifts have you put on your machine?

Stuart

I'm with Stuart

thats a bit rough

Dont worry Phil, my house got struck by lightning the other day and now my lathe wont start either (nor will half my other electrical appliances).

Im wondering if my insurer will extend their new for old replacement policy to my lathe or if they'll try weasel their way out of it just like hare and forbes seem to do anytime something of theirs goes bang.