rebuilding/wiring a motor
 

Has anyone done this? Is there a site that offers step by step?
I know I could go out and buy a new one or steal on off one of my other machines but they run and I'd rather learn. This is the original motor on the Morse 5L and it smokes a bit and I see some sparks inside. Maybe it just needs cleaning of all the dust bunnies that are probably being electrocuted.

I'mot sure what would be involved in rebuilding a motor? I definitely opened them up, cleaned them, checked the brushes, and re-done the wires if needed.

There is a great tutorial here http://vssmb.blogspot.com/2012/01/co...ted-motor.html

Even though it's for the potted motor on a Singer 15 or 201 there is great information to get you started.

If you search this site you will find information and photos on more of a standard "universal" type motor.

Thank you. I have Rain's blog bookmarked but was thinking the potted motor rebuild wouldn't apply. I guess I'll have to have another look. When I get this motor done I'll be tearing into the potted one on the 15-91.

someone may have put oil in the motor, it will probably clear out eventually, or you can clean the armature off with alcohol and a qtip, the brushes also, if you take it apart. Some sparking can be normal.

crocee,

Jim is most likely correct. I was sewing with my Edison clone last night and the machine ran fine at first then started struggling. The motor would growl as it tried to start then would start smoking until I nudged the hand wheel. Then it would run.
I put a different motor on it while I sewed and later pulled one of the brush caps off the ailing motor. When I got the brush out it was covered in oil. So I'll do exactly what Jim said and see if that will cure the problem. If not then the motor will have to come apart.

Joe

Where Rain's blog is helpful is the basic information on cleaning supplies, soldering techniques and handling the motor. After reading his blog I opened up my first motor and was successful in cleaning it up. I've had a couple that sparked and smoked and luckily it wasn't from bad wires. I think it was a lot of carbon dust from the brushes and/oil in the motor. Either way, cleaning them up helped.

Thank you for the info. I'll pull the brush cap to see what's what and if its been over oiled. If it has I'll clean it off and put it back together. All in all the machine is in fantastic shape and should sew well once I get it all cleaned up.

crocee,

Sometimes people over oil the motors. Then the oil seeps out and spreads everywhere. When it gets to the commutator and brushes you'll have trouble.
I think another thing that happens is (at least in the case of my Edison) is I get a dry motor, oil it up good then set it aside while I'm working on the machine. In the Edison's case it took me nearly two years to learn enough to fix the thing. So all that time the well oiled motor was just sitting there with the oil (no doubt I put too much in) spreading to the brushes and what not. Yuck.

Joe

If u take a brush out w/out having to disassemble, u can clean the copper tube that brush sets in with qtip and alcohol or contact cleaner. Then rotate shaft with another qtip riding on it.