Flex 3401 generates a lot of heat?!

Danube

Danube

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I've done a bonnet on a fairly big car today with 3401, 5.5 BP and 6.5" megs yellow pad.

There was some light hazing there left from UC (?!?), so I enjoyed myself working with M#205. Everything went well, but at the end (after some 30 minutes) I've noticed that the Flex was pretty hot .. especially metal housing and rating plate (see photo).

Tried to measure how hot it was by placing a finger on the housing, but had to stop as it was too hot to keep the finger there.

Btw my 3401 is brand new, with only a couple of hours of use (230 Volt environment with 230V machine, no step up/down transformers.

What are your thoughts?

Is this normal for this machine and why?!?

Thanks for the input.


Feed back please


Flex3401VRGCarPolisher.jpg
 
This is normal for the machine. The design of that area of the machine was carefully thought out by the manufacturer. Aluminum (to my knowledge) dissipates heat more efficiently than any other metal.

Do you know what a "heat sink" is?

A heat sink is typically a finned piece of aluminum designed to carry heat away from a component that generates a lot of heat. Some examples of where a heat sink might be used would be on the processor inside of a computer, an AC to DC rectifier inside of a car alternator or the housing of a car stereo amplifier.

The plastic gear set that is located under the aluminum housing on the Flex 3401 generates a lot of friction. The main byproduct of friction is heat so the engineers at Flex chose aluminum for the gear set housing for it's ability to carry heat away from the gear set preventing a melt down of the plastic gears.

I'd wager a bet that if the aluminum housing was made of any material other than aluminum, the gears would heat up so hot that they would self destruct in a short period of time because of overheating.

I have run my Flex 3401 very hard, polishing metal for over 12 straight hours and the machine motor never got too hot to handle. The aluminum cover that you're concerned with however, had gotten so hot that it blistered my leg when I attempted to secure the machine between my knees in order to remove the pad from the backing plate.

I have over 200 hours on my original Flex 3401 and the original backing plate gear is showing no visible sign of wear. I'd say that the machine's ability to dissipate the heat is the reason why.

I hope this helped. TD
 
Dave's said it best so there's little that I can add. :props:

Caution:

Some have taken the plastic guard off the front of the polisher and I personally don't recommend this as it will expose the user to metal parts that can easily burn you.
 
I'm amazed at how knowledgeable you guys are. I was worried about my 3401 because the the tremendous amount of heat generated when I use it on my car and Dave's information has done a lot to alleviate my concerns. Thanks, Dave.
 
Sounds right... mine gets hot too, but the rubber handle that you're supposed to hold on to stays cool, so it's never a problem.
 
JSMet said:
I'm amazed at how knowledgeable you guys are. I was worried about my 3401 because the the tremendous amount of heat generated when I use it on my car and Dave's information has done a lot to alleviate my concerns. Thanks, Dave.
Click to expand...



I completely agree with you. After using my 3401 for the first time I was concerned, but thanks to Dave I'm easy now.

A lot more to learn from people like Dave. Great knowledge/experience but more important - willingness to share it.

Cheers! :xyxthumbs:


:buffing:
 
I have also contacted Flex headquarters in Germany.

Here is the answer:

the heating is not normal, but it can occur when certain negative factors come together. The factors may include: sponge larger diameter 160mm, high contact pressure at work in connection with a very low speed, viscosity of the polish. If these points are true should you try to modify it and try it again. If it appears they still have your XC 3401 VRG check whether there is a technical defect.

I hope that helps you.


Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards


:whs:



What to think now?

I'm awaiting on the 5.5" pads to arrive ..to see if there is any difference!?


:D
 
I personally take that response with a grain of salt. I suspect that the person giving out that information either really didn't understand the question or he/she hasn't really used the 3401 to do more than a little in lab testing. In the real world using the tool to it's full potential, that sucker gets hot every time.

Danube said:
I have also contacted Flex headquarters in Germany.

Here is the answer:

the heating is not normal, but it can occur when certain negative factors come together. The factors may include: sponge larger diameter 160mm, high contact pressure at work in connection with a very low speed, viscosity of the polish. If these points are true should you try to modify it and try it again. If it appears they still have your XC 3401 VRG check whether there is a technical defect.

I hope that helps you.


Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards


:whs:



What to think now?

I'm awaiting on the 5.5" pads to arrive ..to see if there is any difference!?


:D
Click to expand...
 
Looks like a lab tester to me too ..

.. he claims heating is not normal .. I even emailed the photo with the arrows pointing where it heats.


.. Or maybe all of us with 3401 should "check whether there is a technical defect".
:D:D


 
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I used my new FLEX 3401 for the first time today and it shut off three times.

I was using the factory 5.5" backing plate that I had ground down to accommodate a 5.5" pad.

I was polishing the hood on my Yukon with a white CCS pad and Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover. Six passes on 4 sections, cleaning on the fly between sections, so the FLEX got some rest between panels.....shut down.

Let it rest for 10 minutes....fired right back up.

Two more sections with WGTSR to finish the hood...two sections on each of the front quarter panels....shut down again.

Changed over to a blue CCS pad and Wolfgang Glaze for three section passes x10 sections....shut down after 7th section.

My old 7424 never shut down or got this hot.

I could not touch any of the metal portions of the polisher after 30 minutes of work.

Is this normal?

Calling FLEX North America on Monday.
 
I've never had my 3401 shut off on me. I can't really say I've run the polisher for more than 30 minutes at a time. I clean pads and also change them out frequently at least every panel. Every polishe I own heats up just not to a point I get concerned about it.

Il try and be more aware of run time next time I use it and will use an infred heat gun to erasure it.
 
Agree with Dave. Anytime you have friction you will create heat. Aluminum dissipates heat rapidly hence the choice on the Flex. Many car engines have aluminum parts for the same reason.

Personally, I would use the tool without worry. Be aware it gets hot and handle accordingly.
 
I posted regarding my 1st time using the 3401 and overheating.

I used it again yesterday for 3 hours straight and the problem did not recur.

Same pads.
Same products.
Same ambient air temperature.
Same working intervals.

Maybe it just needed a breaking-in period?

The aluminum housing does get very hot and you have to watch your hand placement.

Starting off with a PC 7424 was great, but once you work with the FLEX...you will be amazed at what you are able to accomplish and how rapidly the results come.
 
I was running mine the other day using a black TB wool pad. The housing was getting hot (not burning hot, but hot enough), so when I would use my air compressor to blow out the pad, I would also shoot the air on the housing at the same time. That kept it cool.
 
richy said:
I was running mine the other day using a black TB wool pad. The housing was getting hot (not burning hot, but hot enough), so when I would use my air compressor to blow out the pad, I would also shoot the air on the housing at the same time. That kept it cool.
Click to expand...

My Rupes 15 transfer heat to the pad more than my Flex. The backing plate must be one key.
 
While the machine does indeed run hot, have you ever lubed the felt ring under the backing plate? Might help a little (though it will still get hot)...
 
I've been thinking of attaching a "D" shape handle on my PC. I left the side handle on (for leverage) but have been using the back of it more and more. And I use the handle to carry it.

When I purchase my next DA I want to first use it how it is, and try to get used to it, then attach a handle if it's possible and if I have to.

If these machines are getting so hot, I don't see why a small D shape handle isn't made?

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums...E210235-2049-0000022294820C4B_zpsc42a8a60.jpg

Like this ^
But small handle would be nice (for better grip and less heat transfer IMO
 
I had my 3401 completely die on me after owning it for a month with minimal use. I opened it up and one of the connector where completely cut off, which was very odd since it was brand spanking new. I contacted Flex NA and I shipped it to Power House Tools and fix it right up. haven't had any issues since I love my 3401! hope this helps. Cheers!
 
Neither the pad nor the backing plate got hot, just the aluminum housing.
 
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