Electris splitter whines and trips breaker

[Soundchasm]

Hello All,

I regret I've been asking for more help than I've been giving. Mea Culpa (Latin for "My bad").

Bought 5/27/16, $400, Powerhouse 7T FX128-Z. Probably have split 12 cords with it. Stored under a tarp in a car port if outside, or sometimes in the garage. But there's no guarantee it hasn't seen moisture.

Plugged it in, turned it on, and the motor whined (or buzzed) and tripped the breaker. Repeat a few times to confirm. Motor whines for 3-5 seconds and the breaker trips.

Anything I should check? Can I take off a cowling and try to turn the motor?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Soundchasm]

OK, took the cover off the electrical bit. Cap looks fine. No evidence that the smoke got let out of anything.

Took the cowling off the fan cover. It was not free, but only put up a small fight and then spun freely. Plugged it in and it seems to run properly.

Problem solved? <--- I feel like that's a very bad thing to say!! Generally for me in this situations, it means "on to the new problem you just discovered"...

However, I conclude that I must have missed some water/moisture events. Lesson learned. Adjustments will be made.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

Did you spray some WD40 on that rusty do-hicky ...

 

[maple1]

Sounds like maybe moisture may have crept into the motor & a shaft bearing or bushing stuck. I would recommend trying to keep it in a drier place. Going forward, just try to remember to spin that by hand before giving it power to make sure it's not stuck.

 

[Soundchasm]

Did you spray some WD40 on that rusty do-hicky ...

I will!!

 

[Soundchasm]

Sounds like maybe moisture may have crept into the motor & a shaft bearing or bushing stuck. I would recommend trying to keep it in a drier place. Going forward, just try to remember to spin that by hand before giving it power to make sure it's not stuck.

Yeah, I clearly let something get past me. I think any long-term storage will be in the garage.

 

[thewoodlands]

I will!!

This is works well, I think it works better than WD - 40.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/fluid-film...1_c_&msclkid=83c636b29aaf13f62d346a434e960961

 

[Soundchasm]

This is works well, I think it works better than WD - 40.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/fluid-film...1_c_&msclkid=83c636b29aaf13f62d346a434e960961

Holy cow, product looks good!! Just read the first page of reviews. I am intrigued.

I was thinking about smearing a dab of lithium grease. That should hang in there for a while.

 

[jotul8e2]

"Stored under a tarp in a car port" pretty much is a guarantee it has seen moisture - from condensation under the tarp. You have to figure out a way to provide some ventilation under that tarp.

 

[blades]

fluid film does work well , but it does have a rather potent aroma for awhile. the lanolin in it is obtained from squeezing sheep's wool.

 

[SpaceBus]

This is works well, I think it works better than WD - 40.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/fluid-film...1_c_&msclkid=83c636b29aaf13f62d346a434e960961

Folks up here like to use it on vehicles, so they say abywya. How do ýou like it?

 

[Soundchasm]

"Stored under a tarp in a car port" pretty much is a guarantee it has seen moisture - from condensation under the tarp. You have to figure out a way to provide some ventilation under that tarp.

I'm sure now that's exactly what happened. ;-)

 

[Soundchasm]

This is works well, I think it works better than WD - 40.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/fluid-film...1_c_&msclkid=83c636b29aaf13f62d346a434e960961

Just bought a 4x7 utility trailer yesterday. Today I did light sanding and painting of any rust I saw. Painted 3/4" pressure-treated plywood for a bed. Will mount tomorrow.

I'm wondering if the spray might be a good treatment to help fight dry rot on the tires?? If I'm getting something new, might as well give it a good shot.

 

[SpaceBus]

Eh, my splitter lives under a cover in the trees, I wouldn't worry too much. Think about all the excavators, dump trucks, bull dozers, and backhoes that sit outside for decades on end.