log splitter capacitor issue

[flatyre]

Hey folks I have access to an 240v thor vertical log splitter. Actually a very good little machine when customers want a tree logged on site. Unfortunately the other day it packed up on me, capacitor had gone so I picked up a new one. The supplier advised that using a standard extension lead causes the volts to drop off which caused the capacitor to fail. Unfortunately its the only lead I have that reaches far enough. Would it help if I ran the splitter for say an hour at a time then let it cool while I stack the logs?

[treequip]

Don't know but I would be asking the question on an electrical forum

 

Why not just get a better lead?

[tomm156]

Best way to avoid volt drop is to use a bigger size cable, get one knocked up in 4mm yy or sy and you should Hava better chance

[agrimog]

as has been said, the longer run increases the resistance in the cable leading to a voltage drop, the motor and capacitor have been designed to work at 220ish volts, getting less than this will cause the motor to work harder, possibly never quite getting up to full speed, this will in turn put a greater load on the cap, causing it to heat up, swell internally, and eventually fail. the best solution is as short a cable as possible, or at least an extension made with 4mm cable, and change the plugs to blue 16A ones. Running on long thin cables will keep killing the caps,but will eventually kill the motor as well due to the heat build up in the windings eventually melting the varnish insulation

[cornish wood burner]

Too light an extension lead will as said cause a volt drop. For a given load the motor will then draw more current to achieve that power. Power= I V current x volts. Your motor windings will overheat and burn out prematurely. Get a better lead or you may be buying a petrol machine sooner than you think!

[flatyre]

thanks folks, will get a 4mm cable before using it again! lesson learned:thumbup1: