CT043 transformer

[Matt-Aburg]

Somebody in Windsor will have a controls transformer. Of that I am certain. It's not if - only where. The trick will be to find it.

Maybe stop in at one of the automation places and ask them who might have one.

Can you save the old transformer for me? I find it odd that it failed like that. I'd like to look at it. As per our PM, I think it would be a good idea to add an in-line fuse (or even fuses) specifically to protect the transformer. You don't need to be looking for another one in a few weeks. What caused your transformer to fail and is that problem still there waiting to bite you again?

I feel badly that I'm not able to help you with this problem. But SWMBO would never allow me to go to Aburg alone much less crawl around inside your machine right now. Maybe later this summer after they figure out what caused my stroke.

One thing to note on the power in is there is no main switch for the machine. The power in is always active as long as the machine is plugged in. In this town we have very bad fluctuations in power, (loss of power, brown outs, excessive power when it come back on.) Also, the day it failed, I was turning S10 tool steel, and the motor was under more load than usual for a length of time. When my electrician was here, he tested both 220 and 240 ins on the transformer. Both are non reading on that side. He pushed a button on one of the contactors (white box with a switch) and the motor cycled the spindle until he released it. For the 60 dollars on the product I showed from electrozad... not the end of the world to swap it. The thing I fear is that everything is on back-order everywhere else.. China is way behind on manufacturing ....

 

[Susquatch]

One thing to note on the power in is there is no main switch for the machine. The power in is always active as long as the machine is plugged in. In this town we have very bad fluctuations in power, (loss of power, brown outs, excessive power when it come back on.)

I lived in Aburg for 40 years. I know what you mean. It's bad. No ifs ands or Butts about it! (Sp intentional) .

When my electrician was here, he tested both 220 and 240 ins on the transformer. Both are non reading on that side.

I have to be brutally honest here. You said that "he tested 220 and 240 ins on the transformer. Both are non reading on that side."

Frankly, that does NOT sound like a transformer problem. It sounds like a switch, fuse, or connection problem. But if an electrician said you need a new transformer, then he prolly didn't really say what you think he said. It's just what you heard and you didn't hear it right.

If on the other hand he said that he tested both 220 & 240 inputs and there was no reading on the OUTPUT SIDE, I'd agree that the transformer is pooched.

Let's all pray that your ears are as messed up as my eyes! LOL!

 

[Former Member]

Throw in a simple latch circuit, to protect from this, along with a separate power switch.

 

[Susquatch]

Further to our conversation, sounds like it's a miscommunication with the electrician. But I would like to see the transformer anyway if you don't mind saving it for me.

Regarding fuses, I'd prolly put a half amp in-line fuse on the input side and a 2 amp inline on the output. These are only for the transformer and only to gaurd against the possibility of some other problem damaging yet another transformer.

Extra switches are always good but only till you are comfortable that the lathe is working ok. Then I'd put it back to standard.

 

[Matt-Aburg]

I lived in Aburg for 40 years. I know what you mean. It's bad. No ifs ands or Butts about it! (Sp intentional) .



I have to be brutally honest here. You said that "he tested 220 and 240 ins on the transformer. Both are non reading on that side."

Frankly, that does NOT sound like a transformer problem. It sounds like a switch, fuse, or connection problem. But if an electrician said you need a new transformer, then he prolly didn't really say what you think he said. It's just what you heard and you didn't hear it right.

If on the other hand he said that he tested both 220 & 240 inputs and there was no reading on the OUTPUT SIDE, I'd agree that the transformer is pooched.

Let's all pray that your ears are as messed up as my eyes! LOL!

I called the electrician to clarify what was tested. He tested both in and out. Nothing comin out. He said that the winding is broken. Upon close inspection, I see no signs of burning, melting damage. On fuses, he said if there is a dead short anywhere in the system, then the fuse would have been blown. I will have him put in the new transformer on Thursday. Hope he is correct !!

 

[Matt-Aburg]

Further to our conversation, sounds like it's a miscommunication with the electrician. But I would like to see the transformer anyway if you don't mind saving it for me.

Regarding fuses, I'd prolly put a half amp in-line fuse on the input side and a 2 amp inline on the output. These are only for the transformer and only to gaurd against the possibility of some other problem damaging yet another transformer.

Extra switches are always good but only till you are comfortable that the lathe is working ok. Then I'd put it back to standard.

I asked about the fuse before and after, to which he said any short will fry the existing fuse. He said no other fuse is necessary. I am rolling the dice.... I will keep the transformer for you to look at. One day I will roll out there for a field trip. (not out to the the fields).

 

[Susquatch]

On fuses, he said if there is a dead short anywhere in the system, then the fuse would have been blown.

He is right. A DEAD SHORT would fry the input fuse. I'm not not really concerned about dead shorts. I'm concerned about excessive current from a resistive short.

But to put this all in perspective, it's a bit like playing Russian roulette with a 6 shot revolver. For the first round, the odds are quite good (5 out of 6) that everything will be fine. In your case, I'd say the odds are even better for your transformer - maybe even for years. The question is how much risk are you game for.

But hey, you are paying him not me. Will he get you a new one if it fries too? On the flip side, my advice is worth what you paid for it...... LOL!

 

[Matt-Aburg]

He is right. A DEAD SHORT would fry the input fuse. I'm not not really concerned about dead shorts. I'm concerned about excessive current from a resistive short.

But to put this all in perspective, it's a bit like playing Russian roulette with a 6 shot revolver. For the first round, the odds are quite good (5 out of 6) that everything will be fine. In your case, I'd say the odds are even better for your transformer - maybe even for years. The question is how much risk are you game for.

But hey, you are paying him not me. Will he get you a new one if it fries too? On the flip side, my advice is worth what you paid for it...... LOL!

I am willing to risk the 60 dollars. He is here fixing both lathes. If the original lathe breaks again (which you just said is only 20 percent), then we will move on. One step at a time. But if I am in the 80 percent and it lasts even 1 year, I have won... simply by getting this one job out the door. I am out of time and need to move it.

Hopefully I will post a nice conclusion to this episode...

 

[Matt-Aburg]

I got the replacement today at Electrozad. I now know where I will be going for anything electrical. They are amazing. This part cost $43.00. I also bought the shrink wrap and clips there, saving me a trip to Princess Auto. All in with tax was about $63.00. Hope I am in the 80 percent !! Note to self.. Never try to get replacement parts from Dusybee.

 

[Matt-Aburg]

Good news. The Craftex lathe is working and so is the 1440. Tomorrow, I will be turning the CT043 lathe around to face the garage and taking it off the wheels. It is going to live in front of the door.