Electric Motor help

[Greg Q]

Can anyone with motor knowlege tell me some good or bad news?

I have a 1/4 hp motor with an auto-shutoff in an appliance. I left it running for about 15 minutes, the shut-off didn't work. The motor got hot enough to fill the shed with that lovely aroma of hot wires. Now it won't start, but it will run smoothly if spun up by hand. Does this sound like a start cap, or a stuck start/run switch, or toasted windings??

Standing by for bad news....

Greg

[Ivan in Oz]

Do you have a Multimeter?
If so,
if you have continunity....[The wires conduct] in the Start windings,
it is likely the Cap.
If that is the case
You could get a qualified ELECTRICIAN to replace it.
Even with one out of a Fluro.....It HAS been done before. I know! :D

If the Start windings are OS then the Motor is likely, RS:o

[echnidna]

Sounds like the start windings are burnt out.

[Wood Butcher]

I'd go for the Toasted windings. And for the price that most motor repairers charge it might be just as easy to go and source another motor.

[Greg Q]

Thanks guys. Just before getting out the meter, I tried it again, no improvement. It WILL motor happily in EITHER direction though if given a help starting.

Greg

[Phil Spencer]

Can anyone with motor knowlege tell me some good or bad news?

I have a 1/4 hp motor with an auto-shutoff in an appliance. I left it running for about 15 minutes, the shut-off didn't work. The motor got hot enough to fill the shed with that lovely aroma of hot wires. Now it won't start, but it will run smoothly if spun up by hand. Does this sound like a start cap, or a stuck start/run switch, or toasted windings??

Standing by for bad news....

Greg

Probably cooked your start windings take the motor to a rewinder for a check over.

Phil

[Greg Q]

...and, upon further investigation, a capacitor meltdown. "Brimstone": now I know what that smells like.

This appliance was left by itself for 15 minutes or so, the 10 amp circuit didn't trip, nor did any thermal protection. The plastic mounting block for this capacitor melted out completely. I'm glad I didn't lose my shed over this.

[Wood Butcher]

Mmmmm, The second you mentioned that it did run "in either direction" made me change my thoughts to the capacitor. Then I realised you already posted this. Shouldn't be too much toruble replacing this and hopefully the motor may be okay.

[black.mac]

Sounds like you've let the smoke out.

[Greg Q]

Yeah, I sure did.

Can anyone tell me how sensitive motors are to capacitor ratings?

The dead one is a 12.5 uF (there's a 12 uF on eBay right now for $30.00 or so delivered.) I have no idea if this is a fair price or not.

Greg