Advice on welder feed motor problem

[robche]

Hi all... newbie here, hope I'm in the right place...

I have a Cebora 130 and I have an issue with the feed motor and need some advice.

With the feed pulley disconnected and pressing the trigger the motor starts, sounds rough and then cuts off after a few seconds (vid below). I can hear/see the circuit board relay closing when it stops (eg: the current is being cut to the motor)

So... my guess is that the motor/gearbox is bad and the resistance is causing the circuit to cut off?

Wondering if anyone can suggest a fix? Are the motors / gearboxes still available? And is it worth fixing?

[youtube]yN-e7K7O30w[/youtube]

Cheers all!
Rob

 

[eddie49]

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.
Is your machine a Cebora Pocket Turbo 130 ?
If so, I thought that the main Contactor for the transformer was ( unusually ) on the secondary, and I didn't know that there was a relay on the PCB. Pictures of the machine, the data plate, and the PCB would help.
The wirefeed current control circuits on the PCBs of these small MIG welders are not sophisticated enough to shut down on overload, so if that is happening it will be due to a fault in the motor, the power source, or the PCB. Power for the wirefeed motor comes from the main welding transformer, and should vary from about 15v to 25v DC, measured from the torch tip ( +ve ) to the work return clamp, depending on the setting of the welding power control switches.
If you disconnect one wire from the motor, it can be tested using a 12v battery. Using a gloved hand, try slowing the wirefeed roller, there should be consistent torque.
Does the fault that you have observed occur at all combinations of the power control switches, and all settings of the wire speed control knob? Has the machine done a lot of work, could the motor brushes be worn? If it is very old, the motor bearings and gearbox could benefit from cleaning and re-lubricating.

I cannot see the Youtube video.

 

[robche]

Hi @eddie49 - thanks for your help. here's a video which should help -

Yep, it's the Cebora Pocket Turbo 130 - I'll try your suggestions later on

Thanks again
Rob

 

[eddie49]

Thank you for the video. It appears to show arcing inside the motor, at the end where the commutator and brushes are. I think you will need to replace the motor.

 

[a111r]

It also sounds rougher and noisier than normal, I'd say.

 

[robche]

Thanks @eddie49

I think you're right now I look at the video - I didn't see that while I was running it.

Do you know if you can replace just the motor or is it better to replace the whole unit with the wire feed mechanism too? Worth swapping to a Euro torch while it's apart?

I saw these available a few places which I assume are a universal setup - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Welder-0-6...utomatic/dp/B07V4N938Z/ref=asc_df_B07V4N938Z/

Any advice appreciated

Rob

 

[robche]

It also sounds rougher and noisier than normal, I'd say.

Yeah, sounds like it's full of grit! I'll replace it if I can find the right part.

Cheers for your input

 

[a111r]

The small motors are held to the gearbox by two screws. Maybe hard to find one with the correct gear on.
These type are a cheap way to Euro fitting and much better than the cheap ones above:

Welding Machine Accessories Dc 24V Wire Feed Assembly Wire Feeder Motor Mig I8E1 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Welding Machine Accessories Dc 24V Wire Feed Assembly Wire Feeder Motor Mig I8E1 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[robche]

These type are a cheap way to Euro fitting and much better than the cheap ones above:

That looks like a great alternative - that sorts the motor and the euro connection. Sold!

 

[a111r]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[eddie49]

Might be worth verifying that the speed control and power source for the motor are working.
Wirefeed motors are either 12v or 24v, and typically draw from 20 to 40 Watts.
Connect two 12v 21 Watt car indicator/stop-light bulbs in series, and substitute this combination for the motor. The speed control should vary the light from dim to full brightness ( you may need to switch through the welder power output steps to see this ).

 

[robche]

@eddie49 Thanks Eddie, I'll do that check before I strip it down

 

[robche]

Let us know how it goes.

I'll take some pics and post a thread

After tearing down the doors on my '64 Herald yesterday it looks like the welder will be busy