PC problems...

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pointillistic_practitioner

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A few weeks ago I ordered a Porter Cable 7424xp. Once all my accesories came in (Lake Country 5" backing plate & 5.5" ccs foam pads), I used my PC for the first time, but was confused. Within the first 5-10 minutes of use, it heated up (almost too hot to touch), had smoke coming out of it, & smelled like some sort of burning electrical plastic mess. I started out using the machine w/ a 16 gauge 100 ft extension cord (according to the chart in manual that should be ok), but I updated to a 12 gauge & the same thing happened. I returned the machine. I just got a new PC & the SAME thing is happenning. So I thought...hmm maybe its my older outlets. So I plugged the PC via extension cord into other regular outlets of my home (when house remodeled they took out the outdoor electrical). same result. THEN plugged it straight into my heavy duty updated plug where my washine machine plugs in (buffed the top of my metal dryer lol) this time it took longer to heat up but was STILL hot. I then did the same thing with 12 awg extension cord & it got hot really fast again. Have any of you heard of anything like this before? How hot should the PC get w/ reg use?
 
btw, pc was purchased from other online seller. I will prob. be returning it but I'm nervous to buy another PC b/c of what happened to me, despite good reviews. will my pc accesories fit another similar DA?
 
I too use a 100' 16 gauge extension cord with a Griot's Garage 6" DA and a Flex 3401, and I haven't had issues with overheating or smoking. Since I'm not an electrician, I can't speculate on what might causing your problems, but before I bought another polisher I would have an electrician look at my setup and make sure that my problem didn't lie in that direction. Your backing plate and pads should fit other dual action polishers. What kind of bothers me is that you had 2 new polishers do the same thing, which the law of averages says shouldn't happen, right? Hopefully, someone else on this forum may be familiar with this problem and can shed some light on exactly what can be done. Sorry about your misfortune and good luck.
 
Your machine, in fact all machines typically indicates their electrical requirements on the factory label. Further, most manuals include a cord length and wire gauge requirement when using an extension cord.

The Porter Cable 7424 polisher requires 115 volts 5 amp power input.

16 Gauge Cords

Any 16 gauge cord between 0 and 100 feet long will adequately handle tool loads up to 10 amps.

14 Gauge Cords

Any 14 gauge cord between 0 and 50 feet long will adequately handle loads between 10 and 15 amps.

12 Gauge Cords

If your tool load is between 10 and 15 amps and the length of the cord is 50 to 100 feet, you need a 12 gauge cord to safely power any tool.
 
itsinthedetails said:
btw, pc was purchased from other online seller. I will prob. be returning it but I'm nervous to buy another PC b/c of what happened to me, despite good reviews. will my pc accesories fit another similar DA?
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The Porter Cable 7424 is one of the most widely sold polishers and it's available just about everywhere. What you've experienced is not typical and I'd return it and buy a new one through Autogeek. The price will be the best and the Customer Service here is outstanding.

Autogeek stands behind the products they sell....:props:
 
JSMet said:
I too use a 100' 16 gauge extension cord with a Griot's Garage 6" DA and a Flex 3401, and I haven't had issues with overheating or smoking....What kind of bothers me is that you had 2 new polishers do the same thing, which the law of averages says shouldn't happen, right? Hopefully, someone else on this forum may be familiar with this problem and can shed some light on exactly what can be done. Sorry about your misfortune and good luck.
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Thanks a lot! Yeah, I know, it doesn't seem right having 2 polishers do the same thing...I'll be calling an electrician & testing it out at a friend's to see if it's the machine or something to do w/ my electricity.. It's weird though, b/c I've had washing machines & chainsaws & shopvacs & other things plugged into all the outlets w/out any problems before...
 
Also, could using a 12 awg cord instead of a 16 have an adverse effect on the machine? - sending too much electricity to it? I'm not good w/ elecrical stuff so dont laugh if its a dumb question lol
 
itsinthedetails said:
Also, could using a 12 awg cord instead of a 16 have an adverse effect on the machine? - sending too much electricity to it? I'm not good w/ elecrical stuff so dont laugh if its a dumb question lol
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No laughing at all and the only dumb question is the one that's not asked.

You can always use a heavier cord without issue. Using a heavier cord doesn't impact the incoming voltage at all.

Heavier than recommended - Yes
Smaller than recommended - No
 
It sounds like you have a defective machine. I have a PC 7424XP that I just used for the second time to do a major detail job on my car. Nothing like you've described. I would send that thing back and then buy one from AG.
 
BobbyG said:
The Porter Cable 7424 is one of the most widely sold polishers and it's available just about everywhere. What you've experienced is not typical
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I agree. His experience is the exception, not the rule.


I've used these tools ever since they were introduced to the paint polishing world and never experienced anything like you describe.

Last night I used a Porter Cable 7424XP to machine wax a 1962 Cadillac which is a very large car and I held the head of the unit in my hand the entire time and it never became hot, not even what I would consider warm.


Not only do you get great customer service with Autogeek but you also get the best detailing discussion forum on the Internet to get help with any of your detailing projects. Heck just look at the replies you've obtained so far...


:dblthumb2:
 
It's funny b/c I was bummed out when my local go-to store for detailing supllies closed, but it's almost more of a blessing than a curse, b/c I looked up autogeek & have had so much luck!:props:
 
Another question or two worth asking when purchasing ANY power tool.


1. Is the seller an authorized dealer of Porter Cable Power Tools?

2. Is the machine new or "factory refurbished"?


It's always worth the extra $10 or $20 to buy a piece of equipment from an authorized dealer that has not only been around for a couple years, but is also reputable. :props:
 
I might return the PC & get the Megs g110v2. says it won't "bog" down as much as the PC & opms seem similar. Or the GG? that seems even more powerful (7 amps) What do you guys think of them in comparison to the PC? I'm assuming lake country 5" backing plate & 5.5" ccs pads will work w/ the megs & GG right?
 
itsinthedetails said:
I might return the PC & get the Megs g110v2. says it won't "bog" down as much as the PC & opms seem similar. Or the GG? that seems even more powerful (7 amps) What do you guys think of them in comparison to the PC? I'm assuming lake country 5" backing plate & 5.5" ccs pads will work w/ the megs & GG right?
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yes they will work with both the Megs and GG
 
Where did you order it from? what country do you live in?

electrical devices will only pull the amperage they need. doesn't matter how much you give them access to. most houses I build get 200amp panels. average circuit is 15 or 20 amps. your washing machine circuit isn't heavy duty. probably just a 15 amp circuit if its on its own one and its an older home. You need to have your electrical outlet looked at for some sort of problem. I can tell you its not a dead short between the black and white wires (hot/neutral) your breaker would pop. A motor burning up like that suggests its binding or being demanded to do much harder work that it was made for. It is possible its wired backwards. which could do damage to motors and other devices. Lightbulbs wouldn't care at all. if you want to check it yourself with a safe device, go to lowes, homedepot, etc. and get a GFCI/Outlet tester. It plugs into the outlet and has 3 lights on it. the pattern will tell you whats wrong if anything. the pattern is printed on the tester.
 
Ya know, I'm just thinking 'out of the box' but you are using the washer on the threaded backing plate stud aren't you? Kinda wonder if the BP isn't binding against the housing.

Just my wild ###ed guess...

Bill
 
BillE said:
Ya know, I'm just thinking 'out of the box' but you are using the washer on the threaded backing plate stud aren't you? Kinda wonder if the BP isn't binding against the housing.

Just my wild ###ed guess...

Bill
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was thinking the same thing.
 
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