Hard Starting Electric Motor

poster #1; it may be a split phase which has a starting switch/contacts, the contacts may have dirt on them or the mechanical centrifugal Governor may not be working.perry

There may be some binding or lack of lubrication in the spindle. 1/3 hp is rather light-duty, and might stall with just a bit of stickiness in the rotating parts.

thanks. i've already checked. i don't know how to check the armature and windings.

At this power level I suspect it's a capacitor start motor with a well hidden dead capacitor.(LOL). If not check the start relay or if applies the centrifugal switch. S.M.

Throw that one away and buy a new one.

5 Speed Drill Press

Item #38119

(57)

Only:$89.99

Sale:$69.99

I don't know what DP you have, but if it is a pretty good one, replace the motor with a 1/2hp motor after you check for the possible motor faults mentioned by the other posters. If it is an el cheapo like the $69.95 one mentioned, you might want to buy a better one. How much you spend depends on your use.

thanks for the advise. it's an old delta that's made better than the new ones out there. i have the motor apart an there's no starting relay. no binding. does anyone know how to trouble shoot the windings and armature?

So you are saying it's 3 phase?

If so, it's lost a winding/phase.

Each winding (wire pair) should return the same ohms ± a few %

You may need a low ohms scale to detect the anomaly.

If it's a 3-ph motor the wise approach is first to test the switch. One bad contact could be the problem.

good thought

And be sure to Ohm the windings at the motor leads, not from the switch leads. I have seen to may motors fall tot he junk yard because a wire in the SO Cord feeding the motor has broken internally. New motor same problem......OOPS change the cord.

it's just a single phase 1/3 hp 120v 1600 rpm motor. only 2 wires coming from the windings.

Never mind my suggestion. Fix it, it's worth it, even if you have to buy a new motor.

<sigh> ... If you've got it apart, "A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words", if you can't supply nameplate data.

Before any more posters jump-in-under-the-assumption that you must be dealing with a 3Ø motor or a 'universal' motor or a repulsion-induction motor or some other type ... (because that's what either THEY or their grandaddy had some experience with), GIVE US A CLUE!

There are scores of other such threads (electric motor difficulties) all-over CR4 ... and they ALL mandate some "Specififications" be given, before any "worthy" advice can be fed-back.

Just my (first) 2-cents here.

[And, for what it's worth, I'm willing to wager it's a split-phase motor with a centrifugal start-winding switch on the "back-end", opposite the shaft...yes/no?]

Q: Can you make it run in EITHER direction by giving it a "spin/push" in either direction from a dead-stop?

As you'll soon find out, reading crystal balls is part of the fun S.M.

nope. no starting circuit

but i'm considering putting a starter relay on it.

You are some genuine piece of work. After your 5 posts over your original question you fail to give seriousl info about it. That must be a new record.

I am inclined to feel the same as "Anonymous Poster #2" at this point.

You say there is "no starting circuit", and yet, you think you're going to add a "starter relay"...(with only *2* wires coming from the windings)...?

How do you intend to connect the relay?

Where is the PICTURE , previously solicited...(Post 13)?

Seriously ... a 1/3hp 1600rpm rating ... on a Drill Press ...? Go with 34Point5 on this:

"That being the case, take Lyn's advice 5"

Or, with some angle-iron and perhaps a new belt, you could accomplish a retrofit... ... similar to this one.

"PS" ~ Your response : "nope. no starting circuit", to my question ("Q") at the bottom of post #13, indicates that you did not get "my drift".

IF your motor was of the "split-phase" variety (with a bad/defective starting circuit/winding/switch/capacitor/whatever) ... then, while it is sitting there "buzzing" (but not rotating) upon energization, you WOULD be able to make it RUN in either direction by giving it a starting-spin in whichever direction you chose.

Ok, so it's not 3 phase.

If you are sure that;

A. there is no capacitor, mounted on it, or wired to it

B. no centrifugal switch inside the motor case - i.e. it never made a 'click' sound when slowing to a stop?

It leaves "resistive start" type - then what you are looking at is replacing a PTC thermistor (special type of resistor) that has died.

That being the case, take Lyn's advice 5