Now that summer is with us I need to do something about my old electric gates. They get slower as the temperature drops and I am guessing it's either lack of lubrication or brushes. Does anybody have any experience of this problem? Motors are underground 230v AC 400w with (supposedly) oil filled gearboxes. Thanks for any replies. A.
Sounds like the oil, or perhaps some lubricating grease, getting thicker as the temperature falls.
Colin Bignell
"nightjar .me.uk>"
Thanks Colin, sounds more like this than the brushes. Does grease age or do you think it's water ingress? A.
No, it's just that its viscosity increases as the temperature decreases.
AWEM
Some do or it could be corrosion. Only way to find out is to remove, strip clean and re lubricate as required.
It is more likely that it is just getting thicker as the temperature falls, creating more resistance to the gates moving. However, as Dave says, the only way to be sure is to strip it down and overhaul it.
Colin Bignell
Thanks for your advice chaps. Will report the cause when I've sorted it. A.
Are the external hinges and linkages lubricated?
Yes they have been since they are easily accessible. What puzzles me is that both motors are showing identical temperature related slowing and I am unconvinced that lubrication failure/corrosion has occurred in both identically. I was more convinced that the brushes (which would have worn identically) are on the edge and the temperature reduces the pressure on the commutator applied by the springs...but we'll see. Thanks. A.
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