Blown Capacitor On 3 HP Motor???

Bummie

I have a single phase 220v 3HP motor on my shop table saw. The other day I was using it in the morning and it worked fine. I went to use it in the afternoon and it would not run at full speed... only about ½ speed.

I called an electrician over and he checked and found that it has two capacitors... one start capacitor and one run capacitor. He said the run capacitor was weak and thought that he had one back at his shop. It was getting late so he said he would be back in the morning to get me going.

In the morning he sent his apprentice over to hook things up and get me going. Well the kid hooked everything up and said "There ya go" ... and was heading out the door!!!

I said "Don't you think we should try this??"

He kinda shrugged he shoulders and said "Why not."

I tried it and it ran fine. So I shut it off.... went to start it again and there was a little pop and a big stink and the saw wouldn't start.

This kid got a funny look on his face.... came back and took the cover off the capacitors and one of them had blownm the end outta it!!

He says "I guess that was the wrong one!!!"

So he comes back today with the "right one" and now the saw is doing what it originally was.... won't start up and only runs at half speed.

Now his boss phones me and says they will have to come over on Tuesday and pull the motor off and send it out to get checked!!

Have any of you guys had experience with something like this and if so any suggestions??? Is this electrican doing the right thing??

Thanks for any input.... Bummie

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ATS

Of course, always trust your electrician! He was probably trying to save you some bucks and use what he had at the shop. Caps blow out frequently, the motor needs to thoroughly checked as well as the applied voltage, etc,etc.

Railman

It's probably just the caps, but I've had similar problems from the contacts on the starter/contact not pulling in for a solid connection on both legs. I'd check out the starter for saw dust, or damaged contacts.
Joe