DIY: How to Clean the Commutator of an Armature

[@davidhigginbotham5451]

Out of the half dozen or so I watched, this is by far the best, most concise & complete for this kind of work.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much!

[@tuszla1679]

ditto

[@1950SFA]

Thanks for the concise & informative presentation! I tore into rebuilding the starter for my 1950 Studebaker...but then realized I didn't have any fine sandpaper. Fortunately I do have a lathe, and remembered you mentioning one...so gave that a go! Not a perfect job by any means, but the car starts now!

[@4DIYers]

You're very welcome and awesome to hear you got it going! That's a rare car. Which model? I always loved the old Studebaker trucks, been lucky to see a handful in person.

[@klaxon68]

Video kept nice and short and to the point. which is what everyone wants. Very professional. Thanks

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much, really appreciate the kind words!

[@michaelwarwick9930]

Excellent video, sir! Very well explained and filmed. I usually rejuvenate my 2007 Fiat Punto's miscreant heater fan motor with a flat-ended lollipop stick, pressing 400 grit oxide paper to the commutator, under finger pressure. It works, but I'll now bear your motorised version in mind. Live long and prosper, sir. :-)) Mick (UK)

[@WILPOLLOCK]

This video was very helpful, thank!! Your layman's approach made it simple to follow; much appreciated.

[@4DIYers]

Excellent to hear and thank you for the feedback!

[@speway]

This has to be one of the most concise KZbin channels I have ever come across. In short....friggin awesaome!!

[@4DIYers]

Awesome to hear, thank you so much for the feedback!

[@dennisvogel]

You mention the the 600 grit sandpaper is aluminum oxide. Why is that significant that it be aluminum oxide? A found quite a few sandpapers, including 3M, that don't list their type on the package. Just the grit. Could you also use a maroon very fine ScotchBrite pad with good results? Thanks for the very well done videos.

[@jazz419]

Have a Craftsman router that wasn't working right. I was sure it was the speed control board and, of course, they stopped making replacement parts. Thought I'd try this instead of smashing it into the concrete and now it's running back up to full speed. Thanks for the video.

[@4DIYers]

Right on, awesome to hear. And thank you for the feedback!

[@engineerfrank8163]

hanks so much for this video. It is very helpful to me. Please I just to ask if thi s cleaning also solves the problem of sparking on commutator?

[@4DIYers]

Yes it will, but you also need to make sure your brushes are in good condition and seated correctly.

[@jeffa847]

The only thing I could find locally was CRC "QR Electrical Cleaner" - is that ok or do I need to get something that specifically says electric contact cleaner?

[@chvydrptop]

If you have the commutator (from a miter saw in this case), is there anyway to identify which way to turn the commutator for sanding? Also, for motors that have brakes, such as miter saws, does direction even matter? I believe that the commutator spins in reverse to help stop spinning but that is all conjecture on my part. Great video

[@spicky2966]

I scrap mine and Clean the Commutator with tooth brush scotch brite pads + 600 girth sand paper and i sprayed with electronic cleaner it worked Tks

[@playstation2bigs]

why my vacuum cleaner motor smells bads (burned), upon checking the 2 carbon brushes are all sparkling while powering up. Time to replace the whole vacuum motor ?

[@paulalabi8003]

What did you use in cleaning the dirts in the space between a motor shaft and bearing, how do I clean all the dirts

[@PanamaSticks]

Not functioning correctly? Please explain. Would a dirty commutator cause motor whine? I hear no noise when the brushes are removed. But a whine when they are inserted. The brushes themselves are smooth, and appear clean. Would going to the trouble of disassembling the motor to clean the commutator fix the whine?

[@zurdoremi]

question: if an armature rotates fine when I apply 12v to each side of conmutator, but when I reassemble with brushes it doesn't run, what is the problem? The brushes seem fine

[@magosteamj1243]

Hi, very good video. I followed all the steps. I only put a lot of electric cleaner and it damages the insulation. Something like particle varnish came out. What should I do? Should I varnish it again? or leave it that way and put it together. thanks for sharing a lot of help

[@jpperry2117]

Can mineral spirits be used instead of contact cleaner? Great video.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you. I'm unsure how it'll react with the resin on the commutator, it maybe too strong.

[@arrowdriver007]

@@4DIYers How about alcohol?

[@Tronzoid]

Excellent video. Concise. Direct. Informative.

[@west_park7993]

i have a small electric motor on a child toy peg pelegro polaris. one motor is fine, the other does not have power. Took them off the gear mechanism, both turn, but one stops as soon as power is disconnected, and the other spins freely. no mechanical resistance. lube does not help. i took apart the the bad one, one coil is darker, obviously overheating. but not shortened. i measured the resistivity of all 3 coils, they start at 3-4 ohmes, then quickly reduce to 0.8 ohm. makes sense. Any idea, what is wrong with this motor? I bought a replacement, but this is my curiosity tickling me.

[@Rahul.patel48]

Can i use 20w40 for armature cleaning?

[@WilliamJoseph2015]

I got oil on my commutator. Now the motor make makes noise like it's spinning to fast. Should I clean the commutator or wait for the oil to burn off or is it just to late and the motor is damaged

[@balsonnaoshekpam5680]

Thanks Sir.... Is fibre necessary in commutator?

[@jaysonhall9972]

I have significant grooves in my commutator on my 48 v golf cart motor. My brushes surprisingly look amazing. My problem is however I cannot get the armature to come free of the brush cup. It won't budge. I've searched for any keyways or additional screws and found none. Any advice?

[@robswallows4581]

Very good/informational video but I believe you are using silicone carbide sandpaper rather than aluminum oxide you reference. 3M brand "Tri-M-Ite, wet or dry" is a very common sandpaper for wet sanding automobiles and fine finishes.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you and nope. That is in fact aluminum oxide sandpaper and made by 3M as well. I did mention it in the video and description to only use aluminum oxide.

[@AtmaS]

Good explanation What is the reason for using Aluminum oxide sand paper?

[@AirborneSapper82]

Exactly what I was looking for !!! Thank you !!!!

[@4DIYers]

Glad I could help!

[@dharamviradhana1900]

very good information regarding commutator cleaning thanks

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@Oreonis]

How important is it that the sandpaper is aluminum oxide and not silicon carbide?

[@boostrythem]

i cut the mica down on much bigger motors. is the dust from this dangerous?

[@4DIYers]

I would assume it's dangerous, it's better to be safe than sorry.

[@nuvesv6933]

Very clear, thanks for sharing.

[@4DIYers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@omnavasare4641]

Me: what a beautiful armature is. Motor's armature:Thanks 😇 Me:(Testing armature on battery) What a current draw is😗. Motor's Armature: My pleasure😌.

[@luktish]

What is the reason for using Aluminum oxide sand paper?

[@RudeMcNasty]

Is there any lubrication or spray protective coating on the Armature? If so where can I get it, Thank you.

[@4DIYers]

No need for any lubrication or protection coating on the commutator.

[@aaronthorne1384]

Can I do this on a vacuum cleaner? My my old constellation won’t work think it’s coz the armature looks black

[@4DIYers]

Yes you can as long as it's a brush motor.

[@andrewsotnikov5680]

What gritness of paper is better to choose for cleaning car's starter commutator?

[@4DIYers]

It's listed in the video description.

[@ablake0072]

Can I used break cleaner instead

[@mickcrazy400]

Hi, i did that to a old drill, but after cleaning it, I try it just 5 second and the commutator was black again (bruches ash?) and I thing it was sparking to much. What could be de problem?.

[@4DIYers]

Did you use aluminum oxide sandpaper, made sure the commutator was thoroughly cleans, ensured the resin between the bars is lower than the bars, and the brushes are smooth/clean?

[@leozetalol]

It could be that your stator and your rotor are misaligned and they're brushing against each other causing the sparks.

[@paulalabi8003]

Someone please help me, I have issues with a 18" rechargeable fan, the motor always burns an electronic component (d882), I replace the component and it burns it again, the motor turns like it's forcing itself to rotate and the coil smells like it's burning, it happens to some a.c motors I work on too.....I'm an home appliances technician.....how can I solve this problem, heeeeeeeelp

[@DaveWatts_ejectamenta]

I like it, short and sweet!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@brendayamano3350]

I ask something? It’s ok to use wd40 penetrating oil? Thanks for feedback

[@zookr]

electric contact cleaner, hardware store or auto parts place has it

[@zookr]

No WD-40

[@hexmachina5513]

My god you are a angle sent down to earth. Big Thanks

[@4DIYers]

Glad to help out!

[@justanotherbum007]

Which degree of angle is he?

[@jeffa847]

@@justanotherbum007 His mom thought acute

[@omelmendez8149]

Sir what cleaner oil you are using?

[@4DIYers]

Electronic contact cleaner.

[@omelmendez8149]

@@4DIYers thank you so much sir…

[@paulgoodier3777]

Clear concise informative excellent thanks

[@4DIYers]

Glad to help out :)

[@lvvry1855]

What is this about mica?

[@bsj1953]

Clean Spray type?

[@Hamburglar2]

Legit video thank you

[@4DIYers]

No problem, happy to help :)

[@tonnyanggara645]

Apa boleh armature di amplas?

[@dragan3290]

Very thorough! Nice😊

[@tonyanderson5123]

Can worn out brushes and/or dirty commutator cause the motor to overload? I have a Pupa UP200 hand drill. When I turn the drill on, it will run for a couple of seconds and stop with the controller's overload light on.

[@drunkenmaster89467]

I dont think worn out brushes would cause the motor to overload...if the brushes are too small or worn out you will probably have to knock the tool against something or bump it to get it to start...if the drill keeps stopping after you turn it on the armature could be burned out and need replacing..

[@spacefree5183]

very good video,thanks

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@andrewgroves8523]

Like the drill idea

[@mjvcjvhfivfgh8197]

Very very good👍

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@Kr24108]

can i use wd40 to clean the armature?

[@4DIYers]

No, it'll leave a residue behind.

[@johnsheibal4330]

I used brake cleaner and copper brush. Worked like a charm. Next time I will use 600 grit sandpaper with a drill... nice video!

[@julioguironquinol9232]

Is it ok to use wd-40?

[@4DIYers]

Definitely no, only an electronic contact cleaner is to be used.

[@miker.5495]

Nice clear and concise information. However, I think 600 grit is way too abrasive and will take away too much material, which will reduce the service life of the armature. I use new 2000 grit paper.

[@4DIYers]

No problem!

[@gerrithoeks1396]

Thanks for the info! Im trying to eliminate the sparking in my miter saw. I replaced the brushes and cleaned the communicator per the steps in this video and it’s still doing this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2q0k5ikj8pobbM. Any ideas?

[@4DIYers]

Glad to help out. You need to seat them too kzbin.info/www/bejne/npfac4J3jtR1ftE

[@غريبرمضانعبدالجليل]

thank you so much

[@4DIYers]

Happy to help!

[@lesstime1678]

i use a drill to clean a 2000 hp dc motor or sync"s motor

[@alex-v5j3w]

excellent!

[@andrewverran3498]

That's the go

[@abohasson3705]

اين يوجد حساس الطرق في تاهو2003

[@anilbarolia26]

Like

[@ツツ-c3c]

Kya loda lahsan daal rhe ho bhai Ham india k hain koi jugad btao😂

[@hussainzid489]

gooooooooooooòd