Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

[minuteman62-64]

Anybody know how to do this? I got the cover plate off of the drive shaft end (first photo). However, I really need to get the rear cover plate off (second photo). It came loose from the housing but won't move any further than shown - something is stopping it. I assume the rotor shaft has a key or something, but I can't see it. Do I have to remove that little pressed on piece in the center?

Appreciate any input from you fractional HP electric motor ghrus.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Bearing is pressed into the rear end bell. Get 2 blocks of wood that to use as spacers, Position motor vertical with shaft between the spacers and pick up motor about an inch from blocks and drop it. Do this a few times until the weight of the rotor pulls the bearing free.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Appreciate the input. Knowing that the bearing was pressed in made it a job for my 10# slide hammer w/vice grip adaptor (see attached). Couple of taps and it came right out.

Now I have to see if I can actually diagnose and repair

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

what was it doing wrong?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Humms but won't start under load. Remove load, spin shaft and it runs. Based on what I've read, start capacitor is one suspect. Now that the end is off I can get at the leads to check it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

It wasn't the capacitor mounted on top of the motor?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Should be the Cap on the outside of the motor? Also, how old is it? I have owned several of these over the years, when they quit I just take them back to HF and they give me a new one..

 

[bigdee]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Humms but won't start under load. Remove load, spin shaft and it runs. Based on what I've read, start capacitor is one suspect. Now that the end is off I can get at the leads to check it.

There is nothing repairable inside except for the bearings. If it passes the SNIFF test replace/test capacitor.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

There is nothing repairable inside except for the bearings. If it passes the SNIFF test replace/test capacitor.

Most of them I have taken apart had brushes in them that could be replaced, but the instance of those going bad is very low most of the time, it takes years of use to wear them out, at least on the motors I have owned. Is this one a brushless motor?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Should be the Cap on the outside of the motor? Also, how old is it? I have owned several of these over the years, when they quit I just take them back to HF and they give me a new one..

It is over 20 years old. Based on the HF web site they don't have the 1/3 HP motor any more. Smallest is 1/2 HP.

Yes, that's the capacitor on top of the motor. However, the leads do not plug or clip on (as apparently is the case with most other start capacitors). The capacitor is "hard wired" to the motor - leads only accessible inside the motor housing - which is one reason why I wanted to open it up (other reason: just to see what's in there ).

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Boy, that is an old one, as has been said, it sounds like the cap, if it hardwired, then I can understand taking it apart.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

I just cut the wires and replace the capacitor when I find them wired like that, but if you wanted to inspect the internal workings all is good.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

Oh lord thats just the start cap. Put that thing back together.

 

[Fed]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

I'd expect to find a start winding & a run winding in there.

The run winding should connect straight across the mains.

The start winding should be in series with a centrifugal cut out switch & the capacitor and then connected across the mains.
(The cut out switch is closed when stationary & opens when the motor get speed up)

By the sounds of things your run winding is OK because it runs if you give it a spin.

That leaves a possible fault in the start winding, the centrifugal cut out switch or the capacitor.

(Sorry for any translation differences from English to American)

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Dissasemble a Harbor Freight 1/3 HP Electric Motor???

I'd expect to find a start winding & a run winding in there.

The run winding should connect straight across the mains.

The start winding should be in series with a centrifugal cut out switch & the capacitor and then connected across the mains.
(The cut out switch is closed when stationary & opens when the motor get speed up)

By the sounds of things your run winding is OK because it runs if you give it a spin.

That leaves a possible fault in the start winding, the centrifugal cut out switch or the capacitor.

(Sorry for any translation differences from English to American)

Based on my ohm-meter: Capacitor checks out OK; Both start and run windings OK; Start switch also seems to be functioning.

Lot of sawdust inside. I'm wondering if that was keeping the start switch from functioning properly. Just for kicks I'll clean it up, re-assemble and try it.