1950s Can Opener Motor - Need Help

[58limited]

I bought this can opener at an estate sale awhile back (and I posted pictures here back then too). I cleaned it and lubricated the gears but it has stopped working in that the motor is too weak to function with a can in the jaws. It works otherwise and turns easily by hand. I know nothing about these old electric motors, can anyone help me trouble shoot it? Do I need to find a replacement?

 

[58limited]

Side view

The sharpening stone looks like it was never used: good sharp edges.

 

[58limited]

Assembled view

.

 

[cfz2882]

shaded pole motor

about the only thing that will make that type of motor weak is shorted turns in the field coil winding-motor will get real hot fast with that condition too.Gummy motor bushings is another possible cause.Can opener motors are meant for intermittent duty,they normally will heat up pretty quick.

 

[58limited]

I went ahead and disassembled the motor and cleaned everything. There was a slight residue on the armature, I think it is supposed to be clean since it doesn't actually touch anything. The shaft at the front of the windings has a little wear but I wouldn't think this would be enough to make it not work. I'm more worried about the armature windings, even though they are covered, or the transformer/power block (not sure of proper name). At this point I'll lightly grease the bearings and reassemble the motor.

 

In the mean time, I've stripped the housing to repaint it. Regular cleaners just weren't getting the grime off of the original paint, plus the paint was worn or chipped off in several places. Dawn Power Dissolver stripped the paint off nicely.

 

[58limited]

Thanks cfz2882. As noted in my above post, I'll see in cleaning and regreasing the bearings will help. Plus, I can run it with the housing off to see if it gets too hot too fast. If not, maybe I can find a replacement - I'll look for a part number to cross reference.

 

 

EDIT: I might have found the problem. The brass bearing in the front housing (rectangular housing to right in above picture) moves around I don't think it is supposed to. When I turn the armature shaft there is a wobble that makes the armature slightly off center in the field coil.

[this post was last edited: 12/7/2013-13:29]

 

[goatfarmer]

That motor has a similar look to a Whirlpool evaporator fan motor, late 70's.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Gosh! That motor looks almost exactly the same as the one moving the fan of my washer-dryer! I mean, even the side mountings are 100% identical ahahah

 

[58limited]

Even though I haven't painted it yet (too cold) I reassembled it and it works now, just noisy. I think I can fix it if I can find a replacement bearing plate rather than try and find an entire motor with the correct shaft. Forgot to post the motor stats before: 110-120 Volts, 60 Cycles, 1.3Amps. I briefly searched the web for a replacement but many sites do not list the amp rating or the measurements. The ones with the amps listed were all under 1 amp.

 

dj-gabriele:

 

Can you post the make and model of your washer-dryer? Better yet, the part number of the fan motor?

[this post was last edited: 12/7/2013-21:25]

 

[58limited]

The cold weather is here for awhile so I decided to set up a little paint station on the breakfast table. I disassembled the can opener again, cleaned all grease and fingerprints off, and sprayed with Krylon Appliance Epoxy. First, I clear coated the inside surface and the base plate with Rustoleum Clear. The can opener housing is diecast metal and the base plate is showing a little pitting so I hope this helps to preserve it. After the clear coat dried, I flipped the parts and sprayed the white epoxy. It can be handled after two hours but I'll let it sit overnight before I reassemble the unit. Even if it doesn't work perfectly, it will look good on the counter.

 

This can opener is a Udico (Union Die Casting Company) Model 58-H.

 

[davetranter]

Bearing failure

This looks like a fairly typical 'Shaded-Pole' motor. Wear in the bearing or bearing carrier is a frequent reason for rebuilding this type of motor. The bearing itself usually looks like a 1/2" bronze ball with the shaft hole through it. This is held in the carrier either by spring pressure or (occasionally) just by the pressure of a rubber 'O' ring. The odds are that the bearing itself will be fine, but that it has become loose in the carrier. 'Proper' permanent repair will entail reconditioning the bearing carrier/motor endplate. Temporary (for light/occasional use) repair may be possible with a few 'pops' from a centre (sorry, English spellings as usual) punch, or even a spot of epoxy resin.

All best

Dave T

 

[58limited]

Here are some pictures of the finished product and a youtube video of it in action.

 

[58limited]

Dave T

Thanks for the information. I tried googling repair services for this motor but nothing came up. The bearing looked to me like more than just a ball with a hole, it looked like a ball with an outer disk or ring running around it. To service this the metal plate that holds the bearing in the housing would have to be removed, it is crimped into the diecast housing. I'm afraid I would break the housing if I tried to pry the crimps open. I'm going to search for and call a few companies that make these and see if I can order a new bearing housing.

 

[rp2813]

Nice job!  It actually doesn't sound too bad to me.  Sounds like the can openers that passed through the household when I was a kid.

 

[ovrphil]

Interesting, the first electric can opener manufactured/sold in the USA? That thing has lasted a lifetime of wars, recessions and social upheavals, and of course the ever-shrinking American tin can contents. It's really nice looking, good job and thanks for sharing - hope you find the bearing. It didn't sound so bad.

 

[arbilab]

With the finest possible abrasive cloth, see if you can restore the shine to the shaft where it went through the loose bearing. Then it will last another lifetime.

 

[volvoguy87]

C-Frame Motor.

That is a thick C-Frame motor. They are commonly used in evaporator fans in refrigerators, vent hood exhaust fans, bathroom exhaust fans, etc. Perhaps you can find a new one with the same diameter shaft and take its front bushing / bearing or end plate. Broan and Nutone use these, but they are also sold under the names of Packard and Fasco.

This should be extremely easy, just find a Broan and Nutone parts distributor,
Dave

 

[58limited]

FIXED!!

I fixed it today. Even after the work I did before, it still wouldn't start all of the time without sticking a knife into the sharpener area and giving it a little push.

 

I found the next model of the Udico can opener from about 1960 on Ebay in working condition . I said to myself "That probably has the exact same motor" so I made an offer that was accepted.

 

 

The motor was in fact the same and the bearings are good. There is even a little cooling fan on the armature. I took the armature and bearing plate and swapped them. My can opener now works perfectly and is a little quieter.