westy timer

[christfr]

dont understand.. has the machine totally apart then back together except for the cabnet had plugged the machine in and it ran a full cycle all was fine everything worked the timer advanced all was fine. put the cabnet back on and the machine is dead i didnt unplug any wires a the timer and it has power but the timer is dead. i did figuer out that the timer dial pulls in and out but makes no diff, thougth it was the saftey switch but thats not it either.. even took off the sides of the timer to look in there to make sure nothing had broken off but its all fine and feels fine, even if the timer motor had died the timer should still work by hand. i dont see any fuse in the system nothing has broken off, i just dont get it.. any ideas

 

[christfr]

ok now i really dont get it.. i let it sit then went back to try again the machine started but was running backwards and then the capicator blew.. i mean really if the cap was plugged in backwards (it has two spades) would that cause that? the motor has 3 spades one white one black on brown

 

[arbilab]

Those capacitors are not polarized. It's not possible to "plug them backwards". That it ran backwards then blew most likely means the capacitor went bad, partially shorted--which would cause anomalous phasing of start and run winding--then gave up in a puff of smoke.

OR--if one connects the start capacitor to the run winding, bad things might happen. But surely you matched the wire colors to the way they were originally.

That machine looks right-out-of-the-box!

 

[christfr]

she looks better now except for all the smoke ha ha.. im like 99% sure all the connections are correct there are only 3 at the motor one white one brown and one black i know the white was on top would switching the other two make it run backwards?? never had this happen before.. any idea as to a source for a new capacitor?? (those things reall stink) all i could do is hang my head in shame

 

[christfr]

well i bought 3 capacitors today online for 3 bucks each all the numbers match so will see. i had no idea a bad one could cause such probs.. uggggg

 

[arbilab]

Switching the start and run windings does indeed make it run backwards. Start winding disconnects itself internally at speed. Start capacitor is not rated for prolonged use. If hooked to the run winding, would likely destroy itself.

What I CAN'T tell you is which wire goes where. But just from the scant evidence we have, it sounds like the two "hot" wires could be reversed.

SOMEbody here has one of these and knows where the wires go. Just a matter of getting their attention.

 

[tolivac]

another note on motor start caps-keep in mind these are electrolytic caps-they,like batteries-have a limited shelf life.If the capacitor has been sitting on a stockroom shelf for several years-you can count on it failing shortly after it was installed and used.Probably what happened here.Insist on fresh stock-if not have the place order a FRESH one for you.And yes,they are rated for intermittent "start" duty-usually by how many starts per hour.Oil filled cap "run" capacitors are not affected by shelf life.

 

[christfr]

thank you so much for the info.. motors are always my downfall dont know why just my luck i guess.. this is not the first time i have smoked a machine.. oopps should not have said that. well there are only 2 wires that could be crossed and i did buy 2 extra caps.. im wanting to try it again..