liftmaster trips RCD when using open command?

[bmitie]

I have gates with liftmaster sub 300m underground motors. 9 years old and worked like a dream. Now used internal open switch last friday and after 3 hours when I switched to close it TRIPS the RCD. Did some trouble shooting and tracked it to motor 1. Hooked up this motor to power supply, its 230V, and used the brown to close and motor did nothing. Switched to the black ie open command and RCD tripped and motor was warm to touch. I was by motor and it did not make any closing sound. I am assuming motor has reached its sell by date but was wondering could anything else make the motor trip RCD before I order a new one?

And it is advisable to replace both motors ie have 2 new on system rather than one old and one new. An installer advised to change both.

Finally, could motor be jammed in open and would a belt of a hammer ?? etc

The units are sealed and require no maintenance. They are not cheap. I expected a bit longer than 9 years as usage is very low, 2 people.

 

[Pete999]

I have gates with liftmaster sub 300m underground motors. 9 years old and worked like a dream. Now used internal open switch last friday and after 3 hours when I switched to close it TRIPS the RCD. Did some trouble shooting and tracked it to motor 1. Hooked up this motor to power supply, its 230V, and used the brown to close and motor did nothing. Switched to the black ie open command and RCD tripped and motor was warm to touch. I was by motor and it did not make any closing sound. I am assuming motor has reached its sell by date but was wondering could anything else make the motor trip RCD before I order a new one?

And it is advisable to replace both motors ie have 2 new on system rather than one old and one new. An installer advised to change both.

Finally, could motor be jammed in open and would a belt of a hammer ?? etc

The units are sealed and require no maintenance. They are not cheap. I expected a bit longer than 9 years as usage is very low, 2 people.

If you are not in the Electrical field, then before you start changing items that may not be at fault, I would advise you to get an electrician to test the circuitry and componnents, switches cable etc for any failures.
If on the otherhand you are in the electrical trade, then conduct these tests yourself, it's a false economy to start swapping bits, hoping you can cure the problem this way, it could be something very simple, but you wont find out by changing items of equipment as and when.

 

[Andy-1960]

Have you checked the start capacitors?

 

[bmitie]

yes, and it was the installer who said motor was kaput and then said both should be replaced, they are not cheap. Hence my second query? And capacitors were replaced.

 

[PEG]

Hi,if these are gate actuating units,9 years life is not a bad spell...

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Why are there two motors?
When you tried to operate the motor with the brown wire, was the gate already open?
To be honest, without looking at the installation or further information, it is hard to diagnose a fault.
That said, it sounds like a control wiring fault rather than the motor.

 

[littlespark]

Why are there two motors?

Possibly 2 gates?

If the motor is warm, its trying to run, but cant. Either the motor is kaput, or the mechanics are holding it back. Your installer is probably spot on, as he is the specialist here.
The question of replacing one or both motors ? You could just change the faulty one, and 2 months later, the other goes. Needing another visit to repair and possibly another wait if these things aren't off-the-shelf.
Does your installer offer an annual service or maintenance programme? Parts may be included in the service. It might be cost affective to pay someone to test it frequently.

 

[Andy-1960]

The capacitors for these motors should be rated at 10 microfarad. Anything less will cause the motors to hum and get warm.
Is the control board in a box outside? If so, ensure it is fully sealed including incoming conduits as slugs attracted by the warmth of the transformer seem to find their way in somehow, they then crawl across the rear of the PCB and blow themselves and and pcb tracks to bits. I have seen this happen, gates then start misbehaving.

 

[Pete999]

The capacitors for these motors should be rated at 10 microfarad. Anything less will cause the motors to hum and get warm.
Is the control board in a box outside? If so, ensure it is fully sealed including incoming conduits as slugs attracted by the warmth of the transformer seem to find their way in somehow, they then crawl across the rear of the PCB and blow themselves and and pcb tracks to bits. I have seen this happen, gates then start misbehaving.

Reckon he may have a bug in the circuitry then?

 

[bmitie]

Thanks all, these gates were installed 9 years ago and I'm recalling what I did to ensure a good install, company sent their best installer, he was slow and thorough. They have worked perfect for 9 years. The motors are silent and maintenance free. All the controls are housed within a cabinet and its bug proof and waterproof. The control board has its own cabinet and thats within the big cabinet, and its sealed with 4 screws and plastic tape all round the edges. The gsm unit is also within the big cabinet. All I'm interested is in the bit about replacing both motors and is there a chance the broken one can be resuscitated.
I have got very good answers so well pleased.

I should add the only reason I am doing this myself is that A) the original company were not interested in doing a service call, excuse, they no longer use my kit!! As these are 9 years old it was feasible I would have bought something else!!. The DEA local rep. its a DEA control board, 203E/L, let me down ie waited in for a day. While waiting I did some homework and know an good electrician. So basically I taught myself. I should add these are a pair of swing gates so the one on the right works perfectly. I went through a lot of diagnostics before arriving at motor. In essence if either of the companies had called as requested I would not have bothered looking into it, they would have found the fault and earned a bit of money. Cest la vie.

 

[ashrow]

I used to fit loads of liftmaster gate kits years ago and always had issues with motors failing within 3-5 years. you did really well for 9 years.
I am glad my local suppliers refused to stock them and moved on to CAME etc
I personally think you did great into looking into things for yourself.
In past experience i had 2 circuit boards fail (1 was lightening strike) compared to 5 motors in the 20 years of installing various gate kits

 

[PEG]

Just to add to the list of possible issues,i have had capacitors fail,on these,including Came models,and although the motors ran,on fitting new capacitors,they ran hot.

Getting motor winding resistances,for test purposes,was sometimes a struggle,and on occasion,limited to finding out what readings a known good motor gave,and using those.

I stand by what i said earlier...9 years is a good innings