acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 4, 2021 19:25:24 GMT -5
My tumbler is old (20+ years but not used most of the time) but has been working (for the whole COVID year) until recently. Now the barrel does not spin. I replaced the belt and the new one does not look any better and it still won't tumble. The bearings on the rods were really cruddy so next I replaced them too. Cut to the chase...when I hold onto the rod so it cannot spin should the motor be strong enough to still move and the belt would start slipping? When I hold onto the rod the motor is not strong enough to move anything. Not even the fan moves if I put only a little tension on the rod. I am thinking I need a new motor. What do you think? Also, replacement belts and bearings were cheap. The motor is $30 plus shipping. Should I just give up and buy a new tumbler? If I did I would probably buy the same one. I have not owned any other tumbler and this one suited my needs until it petered out. What do you think?
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 4, 2021 19:43:01 GMT -5
Like I said, already replaced belt and bearings and not much improvement. Now suspecting motor is dying. I have a source for a new motor. Just trying to confirm that when I hold the rod and the motor is not powerful enough to cause the belt to slip does this mean the motor is going bad? I am looking for feedback to decide what to do next.
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 4, 2021 20:08:30 GMT -5
Not to be rude but I don't need help finding replacement parts or a replacement tumbler. Just wanted feedback on whether the motor should be strong enough to slip the belt instead of just stopping when I put resistance on the rod. Want to decide between a new motor and a whole new tumbler. Thanks.
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,432
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Post by Wooferhound on Mar 4, 2021 20:43:27 GMT -5
If the belt is not slipping , the motor should be fairly strong. A strong snug Grab on the rod of a QT 6 or 12 Tumbler will stop the motor.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 5, 2021 12:18:47 GMT -5
Replace the motor...
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 5, 2021 13:49:20 GMT -5
Stopping the motor without the belt slipping is torque-stalling the motor, which can be done with most of these tumblers. If it won't spin the barrel, even with a little push to get it going, then the motor may be shot.
Just check to see if your belt isn't overly tight. That alone can torque-stall the motor too. If the motor housing is excessively hot after a few minutes with no load on it (like burn you hot), back off on the tension a little. Not so loose it slips, but not so tight it burns the motor up.
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Post by greig on Mar 5, 2021 17:07:43 GMT -5
I'd suggest removing the belt to see if the motor is seems strong enough without turning anything else. If the motor is weak, probably just replace it.
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 6, 2021 10:32:28 GMT -5
Last night I turned it on again and helped the barrel roll for a few minutes then it kept going on it's own. Thought I was home free but stayed in the garage to watch it and after about 10 minutes the barrel again stopped. I was ready to buy the new motor this morning but before I do that I am going to try loosening the belt as suggested above because I do know that my motor is in the tight belt position and I do have a brand new belt on it. Thanks for the suggestions!
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 6, 2021 13:06:25 GMT -5
Happy happy right now and fingers crossed :-) Moved the motor into the middle of the adjustment grooves so that the belt is much looser and it is running better than I have seen it in a while. I was able to put my fingers on the barrel and slow it down but the motor/belt/etc. was able to resist my pressure and keep the barrel spinning. I think it was the combination of having a tight motor setting with a brand new belt and also old cruddy bearings that had gotten grit in them. If I go out now and it is still running and not heating up I am going to leave for 8 hours and leave it running.Wish me luck. Thanks again for all the tips.
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 6, 2021 13:23:08 GMT -5
Congrats!
I had to do that on my second QT12 right out of the box. These motors don't handle a ton of side load.
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 6, 2021 20:06:31 GMT -5
Happy happy still! Just got home and it is still running with the barrel loaded :-) The motor is a little warm with all the covers off. I think in the morning I might loosen the belt a little more. Or do you think that I should just not mess with it?
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Post by parfive on Mar 6, 2021 20:40:00 GMT -5
A little warm is fine. If you can keep your hand on it, there’s no need to go further.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2021 17:54:38 GMT -5
My original Model T Thumlers had a similar issue. I finally took it apart and pulled the motor (no small task on that tumbler). My motor had accumulated so much crud that it was nearly frozen. Half a can or PB blaster and a lot of paper towels and cotton swab I had it up and running again. I loosened the belt drive also and it runs so much better and cooler. Those old motors are built so much better than the new ones and just some TLC usually keeps them spinning!
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acostalynn0
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 7
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Post by acostalynn0 on Mar 7, 2021 22:41:40 GMT -5
So, my original question was "Is my Lortone 45C motor dying?". This forum is great! The answer was no, my motor was fine. And I was able to find that out here with your help. Thanks!!!!! It's so soothing to hear the rumble of the tumble again in my garage :-)
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Mar 7, 2021 22:41:55 GMT -5
You also want to make sure the shaft bushings on the motor aren't dried out. There should be a hole in the side of the motor housing on each end that enables a few drops of oil to be put into the bushing.
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Post by Starguy on Mar 8, 2021 1:37:33 GMT -5
acostalynn0 Most times when one of my Lortone barrels won’t turn it’s because the outside of the barrel is dirty. A quick rub with a clean rag usually fixes it.
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