Somtimes My Clutch Motor Runs Backwards And Sometimes Forwards. Why?

[DrmCa]

This is not a dead cap case - if the cap had a short, the motor would be overheating.

If the cap lost capacity due to a cold joint, the motor would not start.

This is the case of a DOA motor.

Send the motor to the scrap yard and get 30 cents/lb for it, and buy a Family 550Wt servo motor instead.

It obviously has an intermittent short somewhere in one of the coils, therefore a toast.

Edited February 26, 2016 by DrmCa

[Ole South]

@DrmCa:... probably IS the start cap. (*Note the caveat that follows) He could have a shorted winding but that generates significant heat/smell and this motor does start... not the correct direction but that's the Start capacitor's job in a single phase ac motor: though Art has a point with the starting relay. If bad and it doesn't de-energize it can fry the start cap causing the electrolyte to overheat and expand.

@LovetoLearn: Swelling (visible in the last picture) indicates the electrolytic inside the cap is expanding (I.E. failing) this is an old motor, *BUT.... the cost of the cap probably will equal or exceed a down payment on a new motor. Retail is probably $15-30.00 usd. Do you have a friend in A/C Heating? Caps like these are used in most air handlers and A/C condensing units. An A/C tech can probably source a substitute for you and steer you down a safe path should you choose to continue to try and resurrect this beast..

Me?... I'd plug in a substitute and stand well back as I power the motor up.... but I've done this before. Sparks flying make the heart beat faster! And often precede the rapid loss of aforementioned smoke necessary for proper operation of electrical components.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Ole South

[LoveToLearn]

. ...

If the cap lost capacity due to a cold joint, the motor would not start.

the motor starts and runs the same with or without the cap installed.

[Art]

Got to love it....I gave you a link to a new cap at Grainger. It's 8 or 9 bucks. Just replace it to see if that works.

The effect will be the same if the cap is short or open, it will spin in either direction because the start circuit won't work. Replace the cap. If you take the cap out, no matter if it is good or bad, it will disable the start circuit and the run circuit will turn it whatever way the motor is inclined to run. Read Tom's reply and just replace the cap. If that doesn't make it run correctly, take the new cap out and take the motor to the scrap heap. Take the new cap to one of 20 or more dealers in Florida who will have a pile of clutch motors that do work in their back room and trade for a used clutch motor that does work.

Electrics are funny, if the start circuit doesn't work, you can take parts of it in and out and the effect will be the same, it will start using the run circuit in a rather random direction. Kind of like expecting a different outcome from the same input, what did they call that?

Art

[LoveToLearn]

Got to love it....I gave you a link to a new cap at Grainger. It's 8 or 9 bucks. Just replace it to see if that works.

The effect will be the same if the cap is short or open, it will spin in either direction because the start circuit won't work. Replace the cap. If you take the cap out, no matter if it is good or bad, it will disable the start circuit and the run circuit will turn it whatever way the motor is inclined to run. Read Tom's reply and just replace the cap. If that doesn't make it run correctly, take the new cap out and take the motor to the scrap heap. Take the new cap to one of 20 or more dealers in Florida who will have a pile of clutch motors that do work in their back room and trade for a used clutch motor that does work.

Electrics are funny, if the start circuit doesn't work, you can take parts of it in and out and the effect will be the same, it will start using the run circuit in a rather random direction. Kind of like expecting a different outcome from the same input, what did they call that?

Ar

Got to love it....I gave you a link to a new cap at Grainger. It's 8 or 9 bucks. Just replace it to see if that works.

The effect will be the same if the cap is short or open, it will spin in either direction because the start circuit won't work. Replace the cap. If you take the cap out, no matter if it is good or bad, it will disable the start circuit and the run circuit will turn it whatever way the motor is inclined to run. Read Tom's reply and just replace the cap. If that doesn't make it run correctly, take the new cap out and take the motor to the scrap heap. Take the new cap to one of 20 or more dealers in Florida who will have a pile of clutch motors that do work in their back room and trade for a used clutch motor that does work.

Electrics are funny, if the start circuit doesn't work, you can take parts of it in and out and the effect will be the same, it will start using the run circuit in a rather random direction. Kind of like expecting a different outcome from the same input, what did they call that?

Art

Hey Art, where is that link you mentioned?

[Art]

available at Grainger.

From my prior post.

Art

[LoveToLearn]

where is the start relay? I dont see one in there do you? Also that link specifies a run capacitor. Do I want a start capacitor or a run?

Edited February 26, 2016 by LoveToLearn

[Art]

That is the exact same cap you have in there. You really don't have a clue do you? We're done.

Art

[LoveToLearn]

If you enjoy denigrating others then indeed you and I are done.

[Art]

How many times do people have to tell you exactly what to do, and you ignore them, till they get the impression they are speaking to a wall?

Art