Electric leaf blower fail (Almost)

I was using the old electric leaf blower when it started slowing down and throwing sparks! so I ran to get my camera, hoping it would burn out and I could catch it on camera. it didn't burn out, but it did put on quite a spark show^^ it's been used every year since 1997 or so, so it has a lot of "Miles" on it. hopefully I can get replacement brushes for it

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• toro
• electric
• leaf
• blower
• fail
• sparks
• smoke

[therealciaran54]

If you were wondering why that happened, it's because it's a motor which uses brushes on a commutator in order to change the direction of current as the motor is running in so that the current flows through the right loops so it continues to turn due to the electromagnetic fields. Usually the brushes won't spark because the brushes are touching the commutators well, but as they wear down, the electricity has to jump, causing a spark. This can be fixed by replacing the brushes. Now you know ;)

[ControlledExplosions]

@therealciaran54 I know how a universal motor works. I think the armature was partially shorted because it was only arcing between 2 of the commutator bars, the rest were fine

[toysareme123]

You're telling me that I just gave up 4 minutes of my life to "NOT!" see a leaf blower explode? WtF...

[ControlledExplosions]

@toysareme123 the title says (almost)...

[V8Jagnut]

cool. id say its your aperture is stuffed and shorting the windings. no new brushes for you.lmao

[ControlledExplosions]

looks like you're right! stay tuned ;)

[coolbluelights]

@johndeere211 well the motor was sitting outside in the snow all winter so it's seized, but i'm gonna try to free it up and see if it runs again, and make a vid :D

[johndeere211]

did it fail yet?

[wheely132]

ohh thats bad

[coolbluelights]

nope, the armature is screwed

[wheely132]

did ya fix it?

[coolbluelights]

yes