How to Repair Small Electric Motors
Repairing small electric motors is a fascinating hobby and can be a great way to earn some extra money. You do not need a whole lot of experience to do it. Repairing small electric motors does take a bit of patience, but if you are willing to put in the time the outcome can be rewarding.
Materials needed:
- Small socket set
- Small wrench set
- Volt-ohm meter
- Screwdrivers, Phillips and slotted
- Wire pliers
- Small hammer
- Brass rod, ½-inch diameter
- Pencil
- Paper
Take out all of the electric power from the electric motor that you are going to be repairing. Take the small motor out of the device that it is in. To take the electric motor out, you might have to use the end wrench and socket sets.
Open up the electrical connection box. Disconnect all of the electric wires with the pliers. Using the volt-ohm meter, test the windings for the electric motor. Connect one of the leads of the motor to an electrical connection. Connect the other lead to the second motor connection from the meter. The Ohm meter should be showing a reading that is from ten to twenty Ohms. If the meter is showing OL or infinite Ohms, which means that the windings in the motor are broken. If they are broken you are going to have to rewind the motor.
Revolve the motor shaft. Check to make sure that the movement feels smooth. The bearings might be bad if the feeling is rough. Remove the two balls at the end from the motor. Lay the armature to the side. Using the brass rod and small hammer, take out the two ball bearings at the end. Size and replace the bearings in the same order that you took them out.
Test the motor start contact. There might be a starter winding switch inside the wiring end of the motor. The switch controls an extra winding for the motor's starting. The reed element that controls this switch can get stuck. You might have to replace or clean it. To test the action of the switch, use a screwdriver.