Holy Smoke (Literally), That Is a New Jointer

Holy Smoke (Literally), That Is a New Jointer · 01-04-2009, 06:20 PM

I was milling lumber for the counter top a few minutes ago and the circuit breaker in the main box tripped. I thought that was weird because the jointer had been running for an hour or so and there were no problems. So, I went and reset the breaker and it tripped again before I could get back to the machine. There is a TV, cable box, and fluorescent light on the same circuit. So, I unplugged everything but the jointer and reset the breaker. Before I could run a piece through the machine, it tripped again. So, I turned off the DC and thought I would look inside the panel to see if a chip had gotten hung in the belt or something. When I turned off the DC and got close to the machine, I could smell smoke. But, it didn't smell like the belt. When I removed the panel, I found little wisps of smoke coming from the motor. I pulled on the belt and it is as smooth as when I installed it. I touched the motor and it was very hot. I let it cool completely and tried to run it again and it tripped the breaker!

The motor pulls 15 amps and the breaker is 20 amps. I have never set up this kind of machine before. But, there wasn't anything to it really, just hook the belt on the motor and the cutter pulley and make sure it is straight and the motor is level. Like I stated, the belt moves freely and the belt wasn't hot at all. I ran the machine for several hours the last two days with no problems. In fact, I was so confident that the machine was OK that I threw out the packing materials.

Any suggestions or ideas? I don't have a multimeter and I have never used one for any practical purpose. My only experience with electricity is academic - I took some physics courses in college and I taught physics the one year that I was a high school science teacher. So, I am clueless when it comes to any diagnostics along those lines.

Dragon · 01-04-2009, 06:26 PM

Sounds like a bad motor. How "new" is it and what are the seller's return policies? If the sale people know you, you may be able to even exchange if you bought it recently.

flatheadfisher · 01-04-2009, 06:29 PM

I got it from Grizzly and it is only a few days old. It is a G0604ZX 6" Jointer 1-1/2HP w/ Spiral Cutterhead.

Dragon · 01-04-2009, 06:34 PM

I'd call and tell them what happened and see what they offer up.

Tarhead · 01-04-2009, 06:51 PM

If you have a multimeter handy you may be able to avoid the hassle and time involved in returning the motor. Get them to go through the diagnostics with you over the phone if they try to get you to send the motor back.

Partman · 01-04-2009, 06:56 PM

Grizzly should take care of you.

Danny

Ozzie-x · 01-04-2009, 07:31 PM

Hmmm, I would have guessed the breaker wouldn't have stayed on at all or at least not an hour. 1.5 HP at 120 volt should be on a 1P-40 amp breaker per good engineering practice. The breaker may have tripped after an hour because most common breakers are thermal-magnetic trip inverse time devices. The breaker tripped out on thermal after the heat built up over time or the motor developed a problem and increased the motor current draw. OR there is some type of voltage drop problem - how far is it and what wire size do you have installed? If there's not a voltage drop problem, it is probably is the motor. I think you've only had this jointer for a short while right? Don't worry, sounds like it is beacuse of the motor, not your circuit. Low voltage is one of the usual suspects of "bad circuit" problems that toasts motors. Problems with "bad motors" usually show up fairly soon when they are new. These off-shore motors can be problematic and several folks here have had problems with them. Most folks seem to get good customer service out of Grizzly.

Just for everyone's future reference, below is a shortcut to the Square D /Schneider Electric site "Free Software". Go under "Select any tool from the list below" and select "Square D NEMA Motor Data Calculator" and download the excel file. (BE SURE and get the NEMA file, not the IEC file unless you're planning to move to Europe

) The Square D Motor Calculator is pretty much the gold standard in the industry for designing circuits and provisions for electric motors. I guess it's OK to post this download even though it is copyrighted since it's downloadable from their website plus everyone and their grandmother in the electrical industry has one of these. The calculator also has a voltage drop calculator that will be beneficial.

http://www.squared.com/us/squared/co...reFrameset.htm

Travis Porter · 01-04-2009, 08:06 PM

What size wire do you have installed for this 20 amp breaker? Additionally, do you have/are you using 20 amp receptacles and plugs?

flatheadfisher · 01-04-2009, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the replies.

There is @ 33' of 12 gauge wire running from the breaker box to the outlet. The outlets are 20 amp.

Ozzie-x · 01-04-2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by flatheadfisher

Thanks for the replies.

There is @ 33' of 12 gauge wire running from the breaker box to the outlet. The outlets are 20 amp.

Nothing too out of line there unless there's a bunch of other load on the circuit. There should be a red reset button on the motor, funny that it didn't trip if the motor was overheating. Sounds like a bad motor is still the likely reason, just contact Grizzly and go from there. After you get the motor fixed, I would run a new 240V 20A dedicated circuit for it.

McRabbet · 01-04-2009, 09:01 PM

Per the manual for your jointer (and for the others reading this thread), it comes pre-wired for 110V with a NEMA 6-15 plug and should draw 15 Amps at 110V (7.5 Amps at 230V). Your wiring and circuit should be sufficient to handle the motor. I would be on the phone to Grizzly Customer Service in the morning and I'm sure they will sent you a replacement motor -- smoke, heat and excessive amperage are not signs of anything else than a fried motor. The fact that the breaker still opens after the motor cooled down indicates internal problems. As Randy suggests, it could have been due to voltage drop, but you should have very minimal voltage drop with the length of #12 that you've cited. I suspect it is Sudden Infant [Motor] Syndrome!

FredP · 01-04-2009, 09:09 PM

sounds like the motor but check the connection at the breaker. make sure its tight. I had a breaker for my kitchen that kept tripping a while back and pulled some hair out trying to find the cause. we had a licenced electrician wire in the new panel and aparently he failed to tighten the wire at the breaker. I cut [to get rid of the burned end] stripped and reconnected. havent had a problem since.

JimmyC · 01-05-2009, 10:03 AM

It sounds like the motor, I've had a bad motor from Grizz and they took care of the problem promptly. I'm sure that they will take care of you.

bwat · 01-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Please keep us updated on your experience with Grizzly's customer service. I've heard good and bad but have no first hand experience with them.

flatheadfisher · 01-06-2009, 06:58 PM

I sent Grizzly an email outlining the problem. I just received a reply from them and they are sending me a new motor. I am pleased with their response!