Leroy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by Leroy on Apr 9, 2012 19:47:03 GMT -5
I'm running my first load through a Lortone 3A. After a couple of hours I went to check for leaks and touched the tumbler. It's pretty hot - hot enough that I can only hold my fingers on the metal over the motor for a second or two.
Should it run that hot? Should I try loosening the belt?
thanks, Leroy
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 9, 2012 21:02:11 GMT -5
Unless the belt is too tight don't loosen it. Is the tumbler in a really hot location? If so some kind of fan to blow across motor would help. The motor is sized very close for the load so you can expect it to run hot. If there is a removable cover removing it would help. Motors generate quite a bit of heat normally.
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Leroy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by Leroy on Apr 9, 2012 21:26:39 GMT -5
Thanks, John. That's good to know. I have it running in the garage and it's 81F out there right now but it will need to run there in the summer too (110F).
I went ahead and put it on the concrete floor just in case it has a melt down. I guess I should add a fan to the mix if I want it to run through the summer.
thanks again, Leroy
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Apr 9, 2012 21:50:00 GMT -5
The motors will get very hot to the touch even in somewhat cool weather. I run mine for months at a time in my garage in Texas. Last year it got up to 112 here too. Removing any shields may in fact disrupt the air flow as designed by engineers to carry the air in a way that best cools the motor. My advice is don`t touch the motor until it has sat idle for awhile. It came with a warranty right?
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Apr 9, 2012 22:59:33 GMT -5
I go with John. The first thing I do is remove the top cover. My 33B runs cooler than before. A fan will help. James
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Leroy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by Leroy on Apr 10, 2012 13:00:05 GMT -5
Thanks guys.
It's running a bit cooler this morning. There is no cover to remove, so that's out. But I'll need to get it off the floor at some point so I think adding a fan will help quite a bit.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 10, 2012 15:12:35 GMT -5
The cover is removeable on my lortone 3A, I have been running mine with the cover off since I first got it. I dont know if it helps the heat issue any or not becuase I removed it for a rattle/noise issue. There are two screws on each end and one or two in the middle where the barrel guide is at. My only warning is to watch the kids with the cover off because the fan and belt are very exposed and the fan blades are pretty sharp.
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Leroy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 10
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Post by Leroy on Apr 11, 2012 11:37:08 GMT -5
The cover is removeable on my lortone 3A, I have been running mine with the cover off since I first got it. I dont know if it helps the heat issue any or not becuase I removed it for a rattle/noise issue. There are two screws on each end and one or two in the middle where the barrel guide is at. My only warning is to watch the kids with the cover off because the fan and belt are very exposed and the fan blades are pretty sharp. You're right, of course. I was looking for a plate to take off. I did take the whole cover off.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 11, 2012 15:36:28 GMT -5
Are there any holes on the cover sides? Looks like it pulls air in from under the bowl. If it wasn't under warranty I would drill some holes in both sides and leave the top enclosed to avoid spilling anything on the motor/belt/pulleys. You might think about contacting Lortone and ask them if adding extra vent holes on side would affect the warranty. Seems like anything that makes motor run cooler would make the motor last longer. They would probably have liability issues if holes were finger size or larger.
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