Thread: Lathe wont go - Who fixes lathes close to Gold Coast

If that's the only thing you broke and you did a like for like replacement, have you checked you have the stop switch loaded in the operating position. Stop switches are normally closed electrically and open when you hit them to shut off the electronics. Some you have to turn as you pull them outwards to lock them in the operating position.
Rgds,
Crocy.

EStop switches are often configured as a change over switch positioned in the mains power circuit to isolate downstream electrics when pressed, i.e. they often have 3 accessible contacts labelled Common (COM or C), Normally Closed (NC) and Normally Open(NO). With the button out, current flows between the Common and NC terminals and the NO terminal is isolated. When the button is pressed in, the switch contact between Common and NC moves away from the NC terminal isolating it and connecting instead to the NO terminal. Unless the Estop is absolutely identical to the original, it is possible for the wiring to be incorrectly configured even if you replaced the wires in physically identical positions to those they originally occupied if the replacement has a similar layout but different terminal configuration.

There are three possible ways that two cables can be connected to three terminals, the first, connecting cables to the Common and NC terminals should allow the system to operate with the button out (in the normal position), the second, connecting cables to the Common and NO terminals would prevent the unit operating with the button in the out (Normal) position but allow the unit to operate with the button in the OFF or Emergency position. In this case you need to disconnect from the power and move the cable from NO to NC and reset the EStop. The third situation is that the cables are connected to the NO and NC terminals, in which case the unit cannot operate as there is no internal path that connects these two terminals in any switch position. In this case, you would need to disconnect from power and rearrange both cables to connect to the COM and NC terminals.

The other configuration that is possible for a single phase Estop would be that it has two separate switches in a single housing, one a normally closed switch and the other normally open. With this configuration, current can only flow through the normally closed switch while the button is in the Normal (out) position, or the normally open switch when the switch is pressed or emergency position. It is harder to describe how to diagnose this because there are four terminals and different ways of labelling them so the possibility of a wiring error is greater. However for correct operation the same basic fundamental applies, current needs to be able to flow through the NC switch with the button in the normal (out) position.

Preferably, have someone with appropriate knowledge check for and resolve your wiring problems. Failing that, hopefully my explanation will help you work toward resolving your problem. Feel free to come back with questions or photos of the terminals if you need more help, but remember that you need the lathe unplugged before attempting any work.

Tried it with the button in and it worked, woohoo, but will get someone round to make sure it works as it is supposed to do and to do it properly. At least I can now start turning.
Thanks for your help it is very much appreciated.