motor maintenance

[bontbee]

Hello, wonder if anyone can advise, please?

Should I get the extractor motor serviced - particularly after all its hard work this season.

If so, where?!
thanks

 

[REDWOOD]

Most motors are maintenance free with sealed bearings and bushes, the only thing that might need replacing is the carbon brushes if it's that type, if there are ventilation holes make sure they are clean and not blocked. If your motor does become noisy or lacking in power then I would suggest a motor specialist to take a look but probably it would be cheaper to replace it these days so get a quote before work is undertaken

 

[bontbee]

thanks Redwood. I will have a look for ventilations

 

[oliver90owner]

If it needs servicing that often, you need a bigger extractor! Motor maintencezis measured in thousands of hours run time, I would think.

 

[bontbee]

Hi Rab, that's reassuring, thanks.

I've had the extractor about 10 years but it will be many, many more before reaching thousands of hours run time. It did seem to be making a new noise - but perhaps I'll apply the same principle as I do in the car, and just turn the music up!

 

[oliver90owner]

The reducing gear is more likely to need a little grease or oil after that period. Lubricant may have 'dried out' a bit, particularly if a worm drive.

RAB

 

[bontbee]

que? sorry rab, you're talking a foreign language, but, I'll hazard.....Is the "worm drive" the bit that attaches to the shaft of the cage? I goodled it, but don't appear to have anything that looks like that, but being a "drive" suggests it links something to something else.

As for the "reducing gear"....'fraid I'm lost.

It's quite likely that everything has dried out as I have never done anything to this machine except wash it.... When I know where to put it, what sort of oil/grease should be used? thanks

 

[itma]

Electric motors have to spin fairly quickly - faster than the rpm of the extractor cage. So, you need to gear it down, to reduce the output rpm.
Many motorised extractors have the motor shaft at right angles to the cage shaft. So the gearbox has to turn the drive through that 90º as well as reducing rotation speed. One convenient way of engineering both of these tasks is to use a spiral (screw-type) gear on one shaft, mating with a toothed cog on the other shaft. Have a look at http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/gear5.htm


I think that RAB was indicating that the screw would tend to act as a pump (there's a type of pump called an Archimedes screw) and that it would be pumping the grease to one end of the screw, tending to have one end better lubricated than the other.
This sounds like an interesting reason to justify running one's extractor in 'reverse' at least every now and again, so that the grease could be better distributed.

I think that any food-safe gearbox grease would be appropriate.
See for example [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/HTG100-Food-Safe-Synthetic-Grease/dp/B002SQGO8G"]HTG100 Food Safe Synthetic Grease: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike[/ame] /// heaven knows why Amazon would classify it under Car & Motorbike … !


However, if access to the gears isn't obvious, it would be best to enquire of the manufacturer/supplier rather than assume that it is designed for routine maintenance …

 

[bontbee]

Thanks very much Itma. I'm afraid that "mechanics" (and I'm not even sure if that is the correct epithet for what I am trying to describe) is just beyond me, though I did look at your link and the explanation made sense, but I still can't relate it to my machine. Here is the sort of set up I have - as you say, the motor is at right angles to the cage. I know it's not a very good pic, but are any gears or drives apparent from this, or are they all hidden inside?

(I did have a look at my manual extractor and I think that that does have a worm drive/reducing gear "on show" - ie, the mechanism within the guard on the attached. Am I on the right lines?)

thanks both for your help, much appreciated.

 

[itma]

Thanks very much Itma. I'm afraid that "mechanics" (and I'm not even sure if that is the correct epithet for what I am trying to describe) is just beyond me, though I did look at your link and the explanation made sense, but I still can't relate it to my machine. …

In which case, I'm going to suggest that trying to take it apart yourself may not be the best idea.

You might ask around at the Association for help from anyone with mechanical aptitude, or else think of consulting the manufacturer or supplier.

 

[REDWOOD]

The first one (electric motor) has a sealed for life worm and wheel gearbox so not much to do there but you can change the carbon brushes
http://www.legaitaly.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/5409 5410.pdf525ce9198bcc0.pdf

The hand cranked extractor has nylon gears so no lubrication is required

 

[bontbee]

In which case, I'm going to suggest that trying to take it apart yourself may not be the best idea.

You might ask around at the Association for help from anyone with mechanical aptitude, or else think of consulting the manufacturer or supplier.
/QUOTE]

I agree!! and good tip, thank you.

 

[bontbee]

The first one (electric motor) has a sealed for life worm and wheel gearbox so not much to do there but you can change the carbon brushes
http://www.legaitaly.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/5409 5410.pdf525ce9198bcc0.pdf

The hand cranked extractor has nylon gears so no lubrication is required

At first I was thinking, "talk about a foreign language..." but that's brilliant, thank you, Redwood. I think I may perhaps be able to change the brushes, should it become necessary, now I know where they are and what they look like. Handy little trouble shooter, too, including the suggestion of using Vaseline as a lubricant. Document safely stashed, just in case.


Thanks again, to all three of you for your help and advice.

 

[Dishmop]

que? sorry rab, you're talking a foreign language, but, I'll hazard.....Is the "worm drive" the bit that attaches to the shaft of the cage? I goodled it, but don't appear to have anything that looks like that, but being a "drive" suggests it links something to something else.

As for the "reducing gear"....'fraid I'm lost.

It's quite likely that everything has dried out as I have never done anything to this machine except wash it.... When I know where to put it, what sort of oil/grease should be used? thanks

that brings me to the conclusion that what you should not be doing is attempting to service your extractor..........

 

[oliver90owner]

Inclined to agree with Dishmop, but when the OP knows which parts do what and why, it will become clearer.

A tip for some, if not sure from where the noise is emanating, might be to listen through the handle of a screwdriver pressed against the outside of the componenent parts while the machine is running. One has to remember that vibrations can be transmitted along the drive chain, so the source may need isolating by checking at different points for changes in the sound.

 

[REDWOOD]

At first I was thinking, "talk about a foreign language..." but that's brilliant, thank you, Redwood. I think I may perhaps be able to change the brushes, should it become necessary, now I know where they are and what they look like. Handy little trouble shooter, too, including the suggestion of using Vaseline as a lubricant. Document safely stashed, just in case.


Thanks again, to all three of you for your help and advice.

Shame I'm not a mechanic and don't live in Swansea

 

[Dishmop]

Inclined to agree with Dishmop, but when the OP knows which parts do what and why, it will become clearer.

I used to have a saying that "If you need to ask then you dont know which means you shouldnt be doing it"

However......there's so many people today who dont seem to know anything other than buying new one. Granted, some things are not worth the hassle of repairing but its all part of a learning curve to be passed on...
I'm sure that everybody must know somebody at work or down the pub who knows somebody who has a neighbour or friend of a friend etc etc who knows how to do it...

If its broke, you cant do much harm pulling it apart to see why...

although I sometimes wonder if some households even have a screwdriver set..

 

[bontbee]

Thanks for the tip on how to locate the new noise, Rab.

Did you just go full circle in your own discussion, Dishmop? It ain't broke yet, but I wanted some advice on what maintenance is necessary for the motor. I know my car needs maintenance, so that was my starting point. I can do some bits, if I can see what they do and how they interrelate, but electricals is definitely beyond my abilities!! And I agree, I hate the throwaway society... (Ps I do have a screwdriver, maybe even two, one straight and one with a cross! )

Finally, is that an offer Redwood???!

thanks again all, much appreciated.