| Author |
Message |
Blake (64.26.163.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 2:39 pm: | |
Has anyone had any experience in repairing electrical relays/contactors. I have obtained an old electric forklift which is going to be very useful in my shop. The drive motor speed/direction is controlled by a number of large relays. The relays all work, but their contacts are pitted/burnt. Replacing the relays is not an option. So how do I repair the contacts? File them down, what angle?, what finish? Build them up with silver solder? Does anyone know of a web-site with specifications?
Thanks Blake |
Mark Pool (66.43.13.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 3:12 pm: | |
Hi, Blake
What brand of forklift do you have? I've got a Lektro brand. I just had it serviced and all my contacts were in good shape
The company (Lektro) is still in business but they now manufacture airplane "tugs" for the major airlines.
I just looked in my service manual and see that they use GE contacts. Maybe that will work for you.
They are located in Warrenton, OR. Their phone number is (503) 861-2288
Hope this helps!
Mark |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 7:09 pm: | |
Most big contacts are made of pure silver. Silver solder is an alloy of silver and other metals that wouldn't do you a lot of good, but it's possible with the right flux to melt new pure silver on to the existing contacts.... What you'll probably run into is that the alloy that is brazing the existing contacts to the arms will melt before the silver does, and it will all fall apart.... it might be better to just get some solid silver, machine it into buttons and braze the buttons on, creating entirely new contacts.
Alternativley you could just file the old ones down until they are fairly smooth. You want a slight crown with a nice smooth finish when you're done. The contacts get pitted by themselves fairly quickly,, it's their job description. Truthfully, if the existing contacts still work, they are probably fine, and I wouldn't mess with them until they actually fail...
Cheers
Gary |
bill keel (Crptklnr) (198.81.26.108)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 8:02 pm: | |
Try an electric motor shop. Someone who deals in Delco-Remy stuff. Maybe they can help. |
Jayjay (198.81.26.108)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:55 pm: | |
CAREFULLY tag the wires and their corresponding terminals, then remove it and take it to a large electrical or industrial supply house. They may have acceptable replacement contacts, or a new contactor. Tuesday afternoon about 2:00p.m. is good to catch them with some slack time to spend on your "project". A good counterman that's been around a while is worth his weight in six-packs, so buy him some. ...JJ |
Blake (206.191.1.124)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 11:44 am: | |
The forklift is a Lewis-Shepard and it is decades old, I believe Hyster bought it out, but Hyster has no information about it. The relay contacts are not removable. I will try filing them. I am trying hard not get more money into this thing than it is worth.
Blake |
Jayjay (198.81.26.108)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 2:19 am: | |
Probably can't file them. Try one of your wife's nail emory boards, or a diamond nail file (thin, and flxible)(!?) Try for a slight crown rather than a flat surface. Check for binding due to dirt accumulated between moving parts, and look for soft springs due to overheating. Good Luck ...JJ |