New 3HP Motor Required

[OPJ]

I've been having real trouble with the motor on my two-year-old Perform CCNPT Planer/Thicknesser the past few months and after getting it checked at a motor rewind shop I'm told it needs either repairing or replacing.

First impressions were that I had somehow overloaded it. But after a closer inspection inside yesterday, I've been told that it is no fault of my own - it simply was insulated correctly inside! He was amazed it had lasted this long; he also assumed I clearly haven't used it that much...

Axminster will sell me a new motor for £105.75 (inc. VAT). A repair would cost a LOT more - so, basically, that's out of question. But I'm wondering if this is the best price, or simply where else to look?

I know of Machine Mart, but do you guys have any other ideas?

There may, however, be one restriction... It must be electronically-braked. According to Axminster, I have one of the older models from before they switched to mechanically-braked motors, which are far more reliable and won't burn out so easily, apparently.
I could buy a newer one with mechanical braking but then I'd also need a new switch box (£45!) and would require some rewiring.

My intentions here are to get this machine in a fit enough state for me to sell it and replace it with an AW106 model, at lowest possible cost (plus, the £50 Off deal expires next Thursday! ) :?

As always, your thoughts and suggestions are most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

Olly.

 

[Andy Pullen]

I would bung it on ebay as it is and be honest. It's amazing what people are looking for and what you might get. Set a fair reserve and you shouldn't lose out. Regards Andy

 

[OPJ]

I've thought about this before, but the thing is, I'd like to get £200 to £250 for this machine if I can.

Perhaps that's asking too much? It was £400 two years ago anyway.

Whatever happens, I don't think I'll be able to resist that Axminster planer much longer - and I barely have the space for just the one machine!
(Well, I could use a nice, shiny spare bench! ) :wink:

 

[Andy Pullen]

Once you take off the motor and starter price would you be any better off than on ebay. If you set a reserve you can't lose much and you'll avoid all the hassle.

 

[OPJ]

This might be the way for me to go then, Andy, as Axminster have just told me it'll take TWELVE WEEKS for the motor to reach here, as it's only shipped over by see.

Unless I can find another supplier of course?

Okay, I'll stick it on eBay and see what people are willing to pay. If I don't get enough interest after that then I'll look at buying one from somewhere else I guess. I've got a couple of spare flat belts to throw in also - perhaps that'll help disguise the fact they're gonna have to pay for a new motor! :wink:

 

[OPJ]

The cost of the new electronically-braked motor would be £69.95, not £105.75 after all. I can't imagine I'll find another motor to suit - certainly not electronically-braked - for the same kind of money. Looks like eBay is the answer...

 

[Andy Pullen]

Have you tried SIP or Record etc as they all seem to be much the same copies of the Elektra Beckum HC260M original, maybe they'd keep spares. Worth a try ?

 

[OPJ]

Thanks again for your advice, Andy.

The motors from 'bigger' names (Record, Elektra Bekum, etc) either seem to be mechanically-braked or they're quite simply out of my price range with the Axminster one available for £70.

SIP, Machine Mart, etc. were no good for me either.

I tried a couple of larger specialists too, but while they could offer me what I wanted, £70 was not nearly what they were looking for.

But I may be on to a winner with Charnwood!
They can offer me an 1,800w motor from stock at £74.03 inc. VAT. But my existing motor was 2,200w and I'm wondering if this would still work, despite the fact the two machines are identical?

I've been told that 1,800w is the maximum you can run on a 13amp supply. He assumes I must either be using a 16a supply (I don't have any blue, round plugs?) or that the motor's output has been exagerrated.

Any thoughts on this at all?

Thanks.

 

[Andy Pullen]

Some dealers state the motor input wattage rather than the output to try and make it sound like you are getting more when you are not. I know you can get electric kettles that are up to 3000+ watts but I dont think they have start up surges like motors or draw extra power under load. I'm afraid i'm not an electrician so i better shut up now :shock:
Looks like you'll be buying a Charnwood one though, doesn't it
I wonder if these PT's all originate from the same place just like my 920 lathe does, yet sold in a dozen different guises.
Cheers Andy

 

[ecp]

I've been told that 1,800w is the maximum you can run on a 13amp supply. He assumes I must either be using a 16a supply (I don't have any blue, round plugs?) or that the motor's output has been exagerrated.

Amps x volts = Watts

13 x 240 = 3120

For example, running a shop vac with power tool take off. Normally the vacs are 1400W so the maximum power tool rating plugged in should be 1700W, and nothing else on the 13amp main should be on, or the mains fuse could blow.
But I run a 2hp router on mine - it works OK because the the router does not draw full current unless it is under heavy load (eg taking large cuts in hardwood)

I have an original Electra Beckum 260. I run it on a 13Amp supply, and on occassions when I first got it, on start up it would blow the mains fuse.
I complained to EB and they sent me a new motor and starter switch. But I never used it because I discovered that on the occassions it blew the mains fuse, I had started a 1.5HP dust extractor first. If I started the planer first then the dust extractor I never got a problem.
This is because the P/T motor draws a surge of high current on start up, then drops back.

If you go for the 1800 motor, it just means that there is more chance of the motor failing if really thick cuts are made continuously - putting strain on the motor.
So you should be OK with it.

 

[NickWelford]

Olly, did you say that the motor was defective in the first place? If so, then Axminster should replace it, regardless of the warrenty period.

 

[woodshavings]

Olly,
Have you spoken to Axminster about your CCNPT with regard to their responsibility?
If the product is only 2 years old, it will still be covered by your statutory rights under the sale of goods act.
It has to be fit for purpose and of suitable quality.
Maybe you can agree a deal for the AW106

John

 

[OPJ]

When I first contacted them about the problems I was having I had no idea the motor was faulty; at that time, I was led to believe that the capacitor alone was at fault or failing.

It wasn't until I actually took the motor in to a shop to be looked at that I was told it was poorly insulated and hence no fault of my own. I still suspect I had something to do with it though, thoughtlessly running it through my new auto-switching extractor when it went... (maximum stated power tool rating is, incidentally 2,200w).

I have enquired previously about some kind of part-exchange for the AW106 (which I payed for last night, saving £50) but they didn't seem interested as it wasn't in working order - plus, I don't know for certain whether something else may still be at fault. :?

I am now very concerned about buying cheaper stuff with origns in the Far East after being told that the motor, of all things, was poorly made in the first place. Maybe it was just a one off - but each time I see one of these machines, whatever the colour or brand, the thought crosses my mind, "how long before this happens to them?". I was only a matter of time, according to the guy who looked at it for me.

 

[chippie244]

I've been told that 1,800w is the maximum you can run on a 13amp supply. He assumes I must either be using a 16a supply (I don't have any blue, round plugs?) or that the motor's output has been exagerrated.

Amps x volts = Watts

13 x 240 = 3120


UK voltage is calculated as 230V now.

 

[ecp]

UK voltage is calculated as 230V now.

 

[Andy Pullen]

When I first contacted them about the problems I was having I had no idea the motor was faulty; at that time, I was led to believe that the capacitor alone was at fault or failing.

It wasn't until I actually took the motor in to a shop to be looked at that I was told it was poorly insulated and hence no fault of my own.
I am now very concerned about buying cheaper stuff with origns in the Far East after being told that the motor, of all things, was poorly made in the first place. Maybe it was just a one off - but each time I see one of these machines, whatever the colour or brand, the thought crosses my mind, "how long before this happens to them?". I was only a matter of time, according to the guy who looked at it for me.

Would this mean that the item was inherently flawed at the point of sale as per the post by slim jim on my own consumer rights thread. If it was manufactured wrong maybe you have a claim for a replacement regardless because it was doomed to fail and have a less than satisfactory lifespan.