UDM Died - Vent

W

w_huisman

New member
My UDM died on me last night. I bought the thing used last fall and have only used it to do my truck, then our minivan, and last night struggled to finish my boat.



If I banged it around, it would come back to life. Towards the end, if I applied a lot of pressure as if I were trying to bend it where the case is split, it would keep running, but it took a LOT of pressure to do this. It started out just slowing down on its own as if I turned the speed down, but over an hour's time it got to the point where it wouldn't run at all if I didn't keep trying to break it in half where the case is split.



Don't know if I should tear it apart or just throw it on the shelf and get a 3401. Anybody else ever have an issue like this? Can I use my 4" pads with the flex? I just ordered a pile of new ones!
 
My UDM died less than a year after I purchased it new. Threw the thing in the trash and didn't look back. I suggest checking out the new PC 7424xp. For roughly $125, it's a much better value than the Flex ($299) considering what you'd be working on. Plus, it comes with a 3-year warranty.
 
I wonder if anyone who had a UDM die outside of warranty contact Perfect Shine about repair parts. I read someone say that most are simple issues: switch, brushes, etc. Both very easy to repair...why toss a $150 pc of equipment in the trash....
 
Most likely it needs new brushes, you can even replace them yourself.

(I had exactly the same problem with rotary, and after replacing brushes it works like new)
 
For UDM warranty issues and out of warranty issues please go to this UDM Warranty Link and fill out the information. If your are needing parts, just state that in the information about what is wrong.



We will take care of any warranty replacements as soon as your email comes in and for out of warranty issues, we will let you know what your options are as soon as possible.



Lynn
 
I had one die. I took it apart and I don't know what you guys call it. but there are like two magnets kinda around the copper spool. Hopefully that makes sense. Those two magnets broke apart. I talked to Lynn who was a super person to deal with. I think my UDm had like a week left out of the one year warranty or was about a week over the limit. Needless to say they sent me a brand new one... back and backing plates and everything. THat was truly AWESOME. AS of a few weeks back, I could tell by the sound of the UDM, it was making a weird noise. Also the speed would not stay on say 6 for along period of time. It seemed that once it heated up it would automatically go to speed 5. I know that sounds weird. So I had some arosol silicone and some WD40. I took off the backing plate and gave a few squirts anywhere i thought I could get it to go in. I also noticed there are barrings located were the exhaust air comes out of. There is actually two there. I used the little red extension tube that usually comes with WD40, and i also gave a few squirts on both of those as well. Just beware once you spray all those places, do not look at the UDM close to you eyes. The excess of what you sprayed will come out. But needless to say it spins free and runs great once again. Just thought I would let people know about what I did in case anybody finds there UDM not up to par. I guess it is not a bad idea to spray in those places every now and then. Hope that helps.
 
I did contact lynn. If they're not too expensive, I'll just order the brushes (magnets, as a previous poster referred to them).



I suppose I should just rip into it to be sure first though.



Do you get at the brushes by removing the rotating head? I didn't see a way at them from the backside the other day.
 
Once I figured out what was wrong with mine, I just called Lynn, and was just planning one ordering the parts needed. And like Green Dimnd said. There service is second to none. I really did not think I would have a new one shipped to me that fast or I guess I never thought they would just send me a new one.
 
Tore into the UDM today. Here's what I found...



2645288660046140835S600x600Q85.jpg




2693585240046140835S600x600Q85.jpg




2887295200046140835S600x600Q85.jpg




The brush shown above was pretty well gone (the spring was fully extended). However, the other brush was at least a 1/4 inch longer than this one, probably more. And what's up with those grooves in the center shaft? Should I just order new brushes, or are the grooves an indication of a bigger problem?



TIA



Wade
 
Thanks Mike. So I should be OK with new brushes then? Is it normal for brushes to wear unevenly? Like I mentioned before, one brush was pretty well gone, while the other one had quite a bit of meat left.
 
If you're talking about the grooves in the green part, I guess that's for balance, but I wouldn't worry about it since it's under the green laquer...which means it was like that from the get-go. I'd be more worried about the groove you've got worn in the commutator from what looks like wearing down to the lead wire in the brush.



I wouldn't get to excited about uneven brush wear, but at least take some fine paper and clean up the commutator (the copper part) and see how deep that groove is. Probably be ok. Make sure you don't leave any residue in the grooves.
 
IMO, there is no reason why the brushes should be worn after a few cars. My Cyclo polished probably 75 or more cars and the brushes still had material left on them. If the brushes are indeed worn, it sounds like there could be a design flaw. My other electrical machines also wear brushes very slowly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top