zekester55
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by zekester55 on Jan 28, 2018 8:50:58 GMT -5
At the end off March last year I ordered a Covington 250TUM (it is called the "Deluxe Tumbler) it is the one with the slanted hexagonal barrel, 3-way tumbling action. Ordered through Sean at the Rock Shed, but it was drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer. I received it within a week, and it ran 24/7 until Thanksgiving, when the barrel wore through at the bottom. This unit has only been used for the coarse grind. I caught it when it started leaking, and no damage was done to the unit. I purchased a replacement barrel and new v-belt, and have been using them ever since. I did repair the old barrel (there is another thread on that here elsewhere) to keep as a spare.
Yesterday, my wife reported that it was a little nosier than usual, when I checked on it, the motor seemed to be chattering a bit, this motor has always run hot compared to the Lortone QT-66 and the Thumler AR-2. The both consistently run in the high 80s, the Covington has always run at about 110-155 or so (all degrees Fahrenheit). I attached the thermocouple last night at it was running no hotter than normal.
At this morning's equipment check, I knew something was wrong as soon as Impend the basement door. Loud humming noise, less low end tumble noise. Sure enough, the Covington's motor had frozen, the shaft was not turning, and it was buzzing loudly. Too hot to touch, and it had not failed safe and shut down on its own. I immediately secured power and released expletives.
Very disappointed that unit did not shut down on it's own, and that the motor did not even last a year. I have not found a replacement motor exploring Covington's site this morning, but will be contacting them first thing tomorrow.
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Post by manofglass on Jan 28, 2018 11:44:35 GMT -5
Motors don’t live forever time to replace your
Walt
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Post by woodman on Jan 28, 2018 12:32:39 GMT -5
At the end off March last year I ordered a Covington 250TUM (it is called the "Deluxe Tumbler) it is the one with the slanted hexagonal barrel, 3-way tumbling action. Ordered through Sean at the Rock Shed, but it was drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer. I received it within a week, and it ran 24/7 until Thanksgiving, when the barrel wore through at the bottom. This unit has only been used for the coarse grind. I caught it when it started leaking, and no damage was done to the unit. I purchased a replacement barrel and new v-belt, and have been using them ever since. I did repair the old barrel (there is another thread on that here elsewhere) to keep as a spare. Yesterday, my wife reported that it was a little nosier than usual, when I checked on it, the motor seemed to be chattering a bit, this motor has always run hot compared to the Lortone QT-66 and the Thumler AR-2. The both consistently run in the high 80s, the Covington has always run at about 110-155 or so (all degrees Fahrenheit). I attached the thermocouple last night at it was running no hotter than normal. At this morning's equipment check, I knew something was wrong as soon as Impend the basement door. Loud humming noise, less low end tumble noise. Sure enough, the Covington's motor had frozen, the shaft was not turning, and it was buzzing loudly. Too hot to touch, and it had not failed safe and shut down on its own. I immediately secured power and released expletives. Very disappointed that unit did not shut down on it's own, and that the motor did not even last a year. I have not found a replacement motor exploring Covington's site this morning, but will be contacting them first thing tomorrow. They do show motors on their site, under supplies then replacement parts.
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jan 29, 2018 2:50:29 GMT -5
Motors don’t live forever time to replace your Walt I have a Covington 255, and it still runs strong after nearly 5 years of use. One of the barrels (which are expendable according to Covington) sprang a leak. I'm not sure how to fix it, but it seems the lid also has a lot of wear. Repair, or replace? That is the question. The chassis and motor are both in like-new condition, so maybe replacing the barrels may not be a bad option. I'm sure it'll be good to go, as long as I don't use anything more abrasive than 150/220. It seems the Covingtons are better at polishing than grinding, so I may limit my Model 255 accordingly.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
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Post by jamesp on Jan 29, 2018 8:32:47 GMT -5
Never know about motor longevity. I get them from the junkyards and rarely have a failure. Always have patience with any machine running 24/7 as a tumbler does. It is brutal duty.
Maybe Industrial Surplus has a motor that fits your needs. I have bought new $300 motors for $70 from them. At that level of discount I usually buy a spare.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 29, 2018 10:06:43 GMT -5
A lot of the smaller motors only have a 90 day warranty. Not sure if Covington includes the motor under their 1 year warranty or not. Some do, some say "motor warranty covered by manufacturer". A lot of the small motors used on tumblers say "air over" or :AO" on specs. They are meant to be used to run blowers where the blower air flows over the motor for more cooling. These motors will run extremely hot (burn your hand hot) with just the small internal cooling fan. A small fan set up to blow on the motor will prolong motor life greatly.
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zekester55
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by zekester55 on Jan 31, 2018 5:58:10 GMT -5
This one ran with a muffin fan at the back providing 110 cubic feet per minute floe over it. I installed that 1 week after it started running. Covington is replacing the motor under warranty free of charge, and wants the old one back. We'll see how long the new one lasts.
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zekester55
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by zekester55 on Feb 4, 2018 20:16:58 GMT -5
New motor installed, up and running a load of Mexican crazy lace. This one seems to be running a little cooler thus far.
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