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Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 8:56 pm
by jimm11
Been a reader and a follower for a long time. I have owned my Mark V for 26 years. I have NEVER had an issue with it and used it pretty regularly. Well, a few months back, my house was struck by lightning. Lost a bunch of stuff, but thank God we didn't lose our house. One of my losses was my Shopsmith. Looks like I have to replace the motor.
Anyone out there in Shopsmith land that can help out?
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:23 pm
by wa2crk
There is always the mother ship, however if you check E-Bay you may find a motor there. It may even be cost effective to buy a complete headstock from E-Bay to get the motor.
Bill V
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:58 pm
by ERLover
I never found any "real" bargains on Ebay, but Craig's List is my friend, I dont know where you live but here in WI, many a SS for sale for less then 300, except for the ones that look at a new one and think theirs is worth half!!!! But never look at the others for sale.
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 12:53 am
by JPG
What have you done to determine it needs a motor?
Have you checked the power switch?
Does it hum but not run when turned on?
Does it try to run, but trips a breaker?
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:09 am
by wa2crk
JPG has a point. I should have asked you what you did to determine that the motor is in fact bad. In general motor windings are fairly robust.
I assumed that you have checked the normal stuff but I should not have assumed anything. If you could post your location there may be a member close by who could help you.
Bill V
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:41 pm
by garys
Unless the Shopsmith was running at the time of the lightning strike, the motor should not be damaged. With it shut down, power goes into it only as far as the power switch. As already suggested, start tracing power there.
However, if you have the new head with electronic power control, then the power control is likely damaged
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 12:09 am
by JPG
garys wrote:Unless the Shopsmith was running at the time of the lightning strike, the motor should not be damaged. With it shut down, power goes into it only as far as the power switch. As already suggested, start tracing power there.
However, if you have the new head with electronic power control, then the power control is likely damaged
Maybe!
That switch will not stop high voltage(like lightning). I assume the strike got into the house wiring.
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:57 am
by garys
JPG wrote:
Maybe!
That switch will not stop high voltage(like lightning). I assume the strike got into the house wiring.
True, but once the lightning jumps across the switch to get to the motor, it will already have damaged the switch, and the motor will likely be protected by the switch burning up.
Bottom line, do not assume the motor is bad when there are cheaper and more likely problems.
Re: Zapped by Lighning Strike
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:31 am
by JPG
garys wrote:JPG wrote:
Maybe!
That switch will not stop high voltage(like lightning). I assume the strike got into the house wiring.
True, but once the lightning jumps across the switch to get to the motor, it will already have damaged the switch, and the motor will likely be protected by the switch burning up.
Bottom line, do not assume the motor is bad when there are cheaper and more likely problems.
True, but the switch may have shorted in the process.
A LOT of conjecture happening here(coulda mighta shoulda woulda. . .)
Bottom line #2 Check stuff before assuming it went south!
