Case Cleaner Motor Died

[BSA1]

Motor died on my Midway vibrating case cleaner. My wine, er whining is the rest of the machine is in very good condition. No broken or cracked plastic, cord ok. As near as I tell the switch on the cord works so it is not the problem.

Being cheap, er frugal, I hate to buy a new machine. Is it practical to just replace the motor and where would be the source?

 

[Tilos]

You don't mention how it died.
If the motor stopped turning try lubing the bearings.
Or remove the motor and compare it to these:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=exhaust+fan+motor&_sacat=0

Or these:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=exhaust+fan+motor

 

[BSA1]

I turn the switch on and nothing happens. It apparently died while I had it running cleaning some brass as the brass was not as shiny as it normally is.

The motor doesn't smell like anything is burnt. It just is dead.

 

[FROGO207]

Probably a wire inside the motor windings shook itself apart. Midway might offer a replacment motor or to repair it if you ask them. Be sure to get a replacement motor with an internal thermal cutout if you get one off ebay or such. It will keep the motor from burning your house down when you let it run for long periods should it malfunction.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, check with Midway first. Hopefully they will offer you a better deal than Dillon offered me on their CV500 tumbler motor.

 

[dartor]

I turn the switch on and nothing happens. It apparently died while I had it running cleaning some brass as the brass was not as shiny as it normally is.

The motor doesn't smell like anything is burnt. It just is dead.

I've had two of them for years. One is open on the bottom and the other has a cover plate. The one with the cover plate died a couple years ago. I thought I'm not going to hurt it by taking off the bottom plate and take a look. The wires were connected to the motor with spade connectors. One of the wires going into the connector was broken. I put a crimp on spade connector and I was back in business. Yours could have the same problem, it's worth a look.

 

[Tilos]

That added info would lead me to believe a wire is broken.
You'll need to take it apart and have a look, otherwise we are all just guessing here...

 

[chickasaw_hunter]

I have a RCBS unit that the motor died on. I called them and I think they charged me less than
$20 for a new one. Popped it in and was back in business. I hope it's that simple for you. My unit was old enough to vote when I replaced the motor and that was years ago.

 

[bullseye308]

Ive had 2 vibrating tumblers in the last few years that had either a wire come loose or burnt. I replaced both and was back in business in 15 minuets each time. Still using both of them a few years later with no problems. I think they had gotten some bad wiring from a supplier.

 

[frankmako]

open the motor up and take a look. could be a easy fix. if not call company to check on price of new motor and/or check around internet for new motor.

 

[BSA1]

Thanks for the tips.

 

[GW Staar]

I think I'd check the switch before I'd remove the motor and open it up. Switches dies more often than motors. Use an insulated wire and bypass the switch. Could be the plug too......or the outlet or even a broken wire connecting to the switch.

 

[BSA1]

Update;

Bottom of motor is open so I was able to check all of the connections and wires. Wiggled the wires a bit, plugged it in and turned it on. Sputtered to life for a few seconds and then died.

In-line switch looks good. I cleaned the contacts with some alcohol. The switch may be suspect.

I sent email to MidwayUSA Tech Support yesterday and have not received a answer back yet.

 

[rsrocket1]

These things are cheap. Maybe not as cheap as you <g> but they are made with the least expensive components that will meet their requirements. If Midway does not replace the tumbler or take it in for repair, you can do this yourself. If the problem is nothing more than a loose wire, you can systematically determine which wire you wiggled to make the motor run again.

There is also the possibility that the bearings are shot. When you turn the motor on and it doesn't spin, is it totally silent or does it hum? If it hums, the bearings are likely shot. If you take a drill with no bit in it and close the chuck all the way you might get the motor started by pressing the tip of the chuck into the center of the bolt holding the counterweight in. My cheap Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler has served me well for 6 years but a couple of years ago the motor would not start on it's own. I've used this technique to get it started and it still runs for its 3 hour cycle several times a week once it gets started.

If the motor is completely dead, you can replace it with a bathroom exhaust fan motor if you are really cheap and don't want to buy a new tumbler and if you have more time and skill than money. You may save $20-$40 by doing this. Most people don't have the time or want to bother so they simply buy a new tumbler.

 

[George P]

Do not overload these. Did it not work after letting it sit for a bit? I had one that tripped and it needed a while before working again.

 

[BSA1]

It is dead. Nothing happens when I turn on the switch.

I wiggled the connections on the motor and it spluttered for a couple of seconds and then died again. Since then I have not be able to get it to even splutter. It is totally dead.

The wires are shielded and do not look damaged.

The fan blade arbor spins freely. I put a little oil on it to run down the shaft just in case.

Shame to trash the entire unit when the only problem is the motor. In fairness I have had and used it for a long time.

 

[GW Staar]

If you have a friend with a little electrics know-how experience, he could easily bypass the switch altogether. Then plugging it in the wall .... is the switch. If it still doesn't work, it's the cord or the motor.

If it's the cord then an old computer power cord could be used....just cut off the female end and wire direct. It it's the motor, replacements are easy to come by. Get the motor specs off the name plate and find another on the internet.......if Midway won't help.

One other thought.....Midway's tumbler is probably made by Berrys. I know they will sell you a motor for one of theirs.

Found a thread in AR15.com that might help you.https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/-/42-284464/?#i2488943

 

[BSA1]

Thank you very much for the link and information.

Who is Berrys?

MidwayUSA has not answered my inquiry which really isn't a surprise since they would rather sell than service their products.

Time to pull the motor and make a couple of calls.

 

[GW Staar]

A manufacturer of bullets and plastic tools, boxes from St. George, Utah. Good products and people.

Their tumblers are sold to other companies and rebranded. Don't know if Midway's was one of them. Since Midway had a recall once on theirs...maybe not? Dunno. Midway today does carry Berry's Tumbler, but not rebranded.

Berry's make media separators too. The RCBS media separator is a rebranded recolored version of Berry's. Don't think their tumblers are tho.

https://www.berrysmfg.com/products/brass-cleaning/vibratory-cleaner

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the Berry's 400 is the best tumbler for the money today. It's sold by many vendors in directories and prices.

Cabelas sells it in green, Grafs sells it in purple and Sinclair/Brownells sells it in red. Right now Sinclair has the best price @$51.99.
https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload.../case-tumblers/berry-s-tumbler-prod36851.aspx

About 8 years ago I bought one from Cabelas because at the time that was the best price.

 

[BSA1]

Thank you. As the price isn't bad for the Berry's I will not feel bad about tossing it in the trash if I wear it out.