millermatic 200 drive motor problem

[mudman]

Need help with a Millermatic 200, the drive motor quit working, went to local Miller dealer and a new motor is no longer available. A electric motor shop quoted me a minimum of $400 to rewind the old motor. Does that sound reasonable? Is that old of a machine worth spending that much on repair?

[aametalmaster]

That sounds pretty high for an old machine. How does the rest of the welder look?...Bob

[H80N]

Brushes...

Those motors are pretty bulletproof.... Have you checked the brushes? ... it probably just needs the commutator cleaned up and the brushes replaced..

just a thought
Heiti

[con_fuse9]

Rarely does an electric motor need to be rewound. If it overheated or the wires were damaged, then yes, but the no1 thing to wear out are the brushes.

Miller4less lists the brushes for $9.

Download the manual, at the end of the manual you'll see the parts list.
They list brushes, springs and cover screws. When you do a job like this, go ahead an buy all the little pieces you can.

As for what an old millermatic 200 is worth, in pristine shape, with bottle, the asking price on Craigslist is $800. However, at the $1000 level, I would expect to be able to find a 251. Currently I spotted a listing for a 252 at $1300. So I suspect $800 for that 200 is wishful thinking.

[cruizer]

These motors typically don't burn out, gear boxes perhaps. Are you sure its the motor?

[mudman]

The brushes were one of the 1st things I checked, they are still good. The motor acts like it has a bad armature, it won't start by it's self, but a push on the gear will get it going. Reapeated attempts to get it to start on its own results in popping the circuit breaker.
I have tried down loading the manual with my serial # but it is also unavailable. I hate to spend too much money on an obselete machine although it is in good shape and worked well up to this point.

[crawler]

Try Larry Burross. Good chance he'll have what you need at a reasonable price.

Applied Equipment, Inc.
2515 Cartwright St.
Dallas, Tx 75212

214-630-9353 phone
214-630-9354 fax
888-630-9353 toll-free
214-577-9353 cell
786-629-9353 computer
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

[H80N]

Clean commutator...

One thing that I would try before giving up on that motor is to clean the commutator... the collected carbon from brushes often creates a short.. and I would also replace the brushes even if they look good... a little bit of oil soaking can make them ineffective... and surprise!!! your local ace hardware probably has a pretty good selection of replacement brushes for just a couple of bucks...
hope this helps
Heiti

[monte55]

The cheapest way would be to put a hand crank on the wire drive.

[cruizer]

Take it apart, inspect and relube the gear box. A little labour intensive but won't cost much. For all you know it could be merely a motor armature bearing.

[duaneb55]

[QUOTE=mudman;225263]I have tried down loading the manual with my serial # but it is also unavailable.QUOTE]

Something doesn't sound right there. I have a first generation MM200 and my manual is still on the site.

I agree with Crawler - if in fact it turns out to be a bad motor, contact Larry. If he doesn't have what you need he probably knows someone who does.

[CharleyL]

+1 on the dirty commutator thoughts. Take that motor apart and clean the commutator with some fine emery cloth, being careful not to damage the wires that are connected to it. Id be willing that doing this plus a good cleaning and lubrication are all that the motor needs.

Charley

[mudman]

drivemotor

Well I cleaned the commutator hoping that would do the trick, but no luck. I also cleaned and inspected the gear box. I will change the brushes this week. I got in touch with Larry Burross, he has a motor and his price is fair.
As far as the manual, the serial # is ja371791, maybe I am doing something wrong trying to download it.
Thanks for everyones help.

[bluejay]

As far as the manual, the serial # is ja371791, maybe I am doing something wrong trying to download it.
Thanks for everyones help.

Use capital letters (JA not ja) in the serial # box.

HTH,
Jay

[con_fuse9]

If I understand the details, the motor tries to turn (with manual help) and then it pops the breaker. Which means something drew 50Amps at 220.....
That's a lot of power - might even be enough to turn steel cherry red

I wonder if there isn't a short in the system. Since the drive rolls are at '+' and their might be a path to ground....

Maybe re-run the test with the '+' completely disconnected (I assume there is a cable from the '+' terminal to the fitting where the gun plugs in).