Bandsaw won't start - Electrical issue

[Neil Bosdet]

I have a Laguna LT18 Bandsaw that's about 5 years old. It has low
hours on it from hobby use only. I've never had any problems with it
before this morning. I was cutting a couple of boards last night and
used the brake/shut off pedal to turn it off as I have many times
before. I went to make a cut this morning and it won't power up. The
magnetic switch and stop button seem to be functioning properly albeit
without the motor actually turning on. I checked the brake shut off
switch and when I disconnected it the magnetic power switch didn't lock
in anymore. This indicates that it is working fine. I've checked all
the connections I can see and everything seems as it should. I can't
find a reset button on the motor or the switch so I don't think there
is one. Any ideas?
Neil

[Jesse Cloud]

I don't know this particular machine, but the symptoms sound like a failed capacitor. Look at the engine, see if there's a cylindrical bump on the side. Look for leaking fluid from the bump and smell for an off taste odor.
If that's the problem, you are lucky. The capacitor is a low cost item. Take the old one off (noting electrical connections) and call Laguna or a local small motor shop for a replacement part.

I have a Laguna LT18 Bandsaw that's about 5 years old. It has low
hours on it from hobby use only. I've never had any problems with it
before this morning. I was cutting a couple of boards last night and
used the brake/shut off pedal to turn it off as I have many times
before. I went to make a cut this morning and it won't power up. The
magnetic switch and stop button seem to be functioning properly albeit
without the motor actually turning on. I checked the brake shut off
switch and when I disconnected it the magnetic power switch didn't lock
in anymore. This indicates that it is working fine. I've checked all
the connections I can see and everything seems as it should. I can't
find a reset button on the motor or the switch so I don't think there
is one. Any ideas?
Neil

[Tyler Howell]

Elementry... Power to the machine?
Do the activated swithches supply power to the motor? You can check this with a meter.
Check it out and if it does we'll talk about motor T.S.

[Robert MacKinnon]

There is usually a motor overload relay inside the mag switch and it is possible that this overload realy has tripped. If you look inside the mag switch, look for a trip indicator and reset button. If tripped, just push in the button to reset the overload relay.

[Bill Boehme]

Does the stop switch need to be rotated to unlock it as the one on the MiniMax does? Are the upper and lower doors closed? Has the microswitch on the brake pedal moved?

Bill

[Don Baer]

Neil,
I'm going to assume that your saw is a 220 Volt circuit. Usuual the control circuit is 110 Volt using the neutral and one of the legs of the 220. By virture of gthe fact that you mag starter pulls in you have already rulled out all of the interlocks etc. It sounds like either you not getting power through the starter. Of the overloads are tripped that usual mean the the starter won't pull in so you can rule that out also. With a volt meter and the starter pulled in check the voltage on the out put of the starter. if you have voltage there. If you don't then check the voltage at the input side of the starter. It's possible that one side of the 220 is open, check your breaker supplying it.

[Neil Bosdet]

The capacitor looks fine. It doesn't seem likely that this is the problem.

[Neil Bosdet]

Tyler,

There is power to the machine. I have a multimeter and can remove the cover to the magnetic switch to expose the many wires that terminate here. However, I don't know how to go about testing this. Suggestions?

[Neil Bosdet]

Robert,

I have removed the cover to the switch but I don't see a trip button or something like that. Is it possible that it could be on the back?

[chris del]

Even know this saw is equiped with a magnetic starter, the motor may have its own manual overload switch..... I know this sounds elementary, but I personally have overlooked a simple thing like this and it cost me $$$$.

[Neil Bosdet]

Hi Bill,

My machine sounds like it has a similar set up as yours. All the things you mention seem to be in order.

Don,

I'm not sure what you're saying exactly. Could you retype??? The breaker is fine. Power is getting to the unit.

[Neil Bosdet]

OK. Here is a link that shows my power switch. It's not actually magnetic (my error). There is a stop button wired to this switch as well. I really don't feel it's the motor. It's got to be something electrical.

http://www.klocknermoeller.com/pkz/pkzm0-20.htm

I pulled off the stop button and test the connection points and get nothing on my meter but I don't know if I've got my meter on the correct settings to test this. I'm hoping someone can look at the switch above and tell what to test.

Thanks,

Neil

[Don Baer]

Neil,
The one you are showing is for a 3 phase motor, I'll assume that your on Singal Phase. There should be wire going into L1 and L2 or L3 Check that you have 220 volts there, then with the contactor energised, check that you have voltage on T1 and T2 or T3 which ever have wires going to the motor.

[Neil Bosdet]

I have wires coming into L1, L2 and L3. Same with the "T" terminals. Which ones do I test?

[Don Baer]

The may be using one set of contact as the holing circuit for your mag starter. The one that come from the power feeding the starter are the ones that will be carrying the current to the motor. If the plug is attaced to L1 and L2 then then T1 and T2 would be feeding the motor. That what you test.