National Geographic Rock Tumbler - Fixing the "E" Error Code

[@KingDarkOne1996]

I got a vevor rock tumbler a bit last Sunday. Was doing my first tumble and 3 days in and I got the E code. I got a little ahead of myself and throw away the box and book thinking everything will be ok. Got to love the ability of looking up information online. I will try removing some rocks and if that don’t work. Well at least I know what the problem is now.

[@LouJustlou]

@KingDarkOne1996 mine finally died completely after three years of steady running. The little dc motor gave out. I purchased a 6lb tumbler from harbor freight. Paid 10 bucks extra for the 2 year warranty. I'll keep everyone posted!

[@hauntedhouse1996]

This video was a lifesaver!!!! I was having such a hard time with my tumbler, thank you 🙏🏻

[@LouJustlou]

Glad it helped! I've heard the dreaded E was quite a problem in these.

[@stephaniehahn-wagner5978]

!!!! AWESOME! Thank you for responding to my comment on the other video and directing me to this one! So excited! I looked at my hobby edition tumbler and it is opposite polarity from the one you have (go figure)

[@LouJustlou]

Glad it helped! Yeah once I bypassed the circuit board the polarity didn't matter...it just runs the other direction.

[@gator83261]

I had an error where is was just showing 1 for day and 1 for speed but not running. Broke after about just 60 days of running. Tried everything with no luck, called and got a free replacement. I did the similar steps to what you did and bypassed the board. I even found another transformer in my scraps to slow it down to 6.5 volts. Just bought the adjustable transformer you recommended off Amazon for the new one coming in. Thanks for all the tips!!!

[@LouJustlou]

Mine has been running pretty much non stop since the repair. I will run higher voltage,/speed for the coarser grits to speed things up and slow down as the grits get finer. I'm glad this was helpful !

[@oddnwmbers]

Thank you so much! Ny tumblers working all nice and new again :)

[@LouJustlou]

Great news!

[@lukeanderinjensen2119]

What was that adjustable power cord that you used?

[@LouJustlou]

I have a link in the description for it. You can just search for adjustable 12 VDC power supply too.

[@justinslife8898]

Doesn't running @ lower amp strain the motor? And can this power supply be ran as is like with the timer and speed board still connected? Also, are you running the larger 3d printed pulley also

[@LouJustlou]

@justinslife8898 No issues for me so far with the motor. It is chugging away in the garage right now. I'm using the larger printed pulley with it. I was able to under volt the machine with the circuit board still connected. I wouldn't recommend that though. I got the E error code after doing that. 😞

[@justinslife8898]

@LouJustlou thanks, unfortunately I don't own a 3d printer and can't print one. However, I will be ordering the amp controller and wiring it in with motor minus display board lol

[@LouJustlou]

@justinslife8898 yeah I had to borrow a friend's printer. The voltage regulated power supply should work just as well for you.

[@justinslife8898]

​@LouJustlou howdy, I finally acquired the 3d printed larger pulley and the adjustable power box you linked from Amazon. I had a question, do I need to install a on/off switch as youv done or could I just wire in with the motor minus the display board and just turn it on via plugging in wall ?

[@LouJustlou]

@justinslife8898 Hello! No you could just wire it straight to the motor and use the power supply to slowly ramp up voltage to where you need it. I really don't use the switch much.

[@gordonweatherbee]

Did you need to replace your motor? If so where did you get it and what model or specs? National Geographic was no help when I talked to them on the phone.

[@LouJustlou]

No I didn't but I did find this: www.reddit.com/r/RockTumbling/comments/qx200t/replacement_motors_for_nat_geo_tumblers/

[@gordonweatherbee]

I just got a new motor using your link. They only had 7 in stock according to their website site so the link may change in the future. The motor looks the same but it is just slightly longer. I hope that means that it has been upgraded and improved a little. I installed it a little while ago and it seems to work fine. I bypassed the small control board in my hobby version of the tumbler then I put a 9 volt power supple on it. That cut the speed down by 25 percent. I hope this motor lasts longer than the original. Motor burnout seems to be a common problem with any version of the National Geographic rock tumblers. I am going again. Thanks for your quick reply.

[@LouJustlou]

@@gordonweatherbee great

[@kahfre3694]

Mine is doing this. Can't tumble. Don't buy this product. It's garbage 😢

[@LouJustlou]

I was hoping they would fix this by now.....they are good about replacing them. The one I modified is still running fine.