Rsurfer
Well-known member
- Jan 26, 2007
- 14,160
- 26
Maybe that's the problem.
Very hot Flex XC 3401
- Thread starter Jet Black
- Start date
Maybe that's the problem.
psnt1ol
New member
- Aug 8, 2012
- 892
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Actually.... the owners manual to a Dewalt Air compressor does has a section on Extension Cord.
So does the owners manual of Makita 9772c...
They both mentioned that an undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating.
StuDLei
New member
- May 28, 2012
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Holy crap. Who would have guessed??
That's awesome, I'll have to check it out. I think something is wrong with my speed dial and/or trigger.
Calendyr
New member
- Jun 9, 2013
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Ok so if I decided to buy a Flex (and I am really tempted) what would be the steps to take to prevent overheating?
So good quality extension cord for sure, but after that?
Is there any lubrication that needs to be done before use?
What backing plate to use for 5.5" pads?
Anything else I need to know about using a Flex 3401?
So good quality extension cord for sure, but after that?
Is there any lubrication that needs to be done before use?
What backing plate to use for 5.5" pads?
Anything else I need to know about using a Flex 3401?
loudog2
New member
- Aug 5, 2008
- 2,880
- 0
I use a lithium grease on the felt ring. I usually apply twice a year. No need to over do it. And yes a good extension cord.
loudog2
New member
- Aug 5, 2008
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Actually it is recommended if you apply a lot of pressure or are on a slight angle once in a while. It was also stated that it does not hurt to do it so why not take the precaution? The issue of the burnt backing plates a few years back was stopped by taking this precaution.
If it doesn't hurt then why not do it to prevent something from happening?
erichaley
New member
- Apr 27, 2013
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Could you please post the link to this official recommendation from FLEX?
the motor is designed to run off of standard household voltage of 120v and whatever the amperage draw is, think of your extension cord as adding 100ft of garden hose onto the spigot in addition to your normal 25 or 50 ft hose, when you first squeeze the sprayer you get full blast but then the pressure/flow rate seems to drop significantly. no matter what guage cord you go with there will be a voltage drop, but the thicker guage the wire is the more amperage it can carry (use a thinner guage and the cord heats up more increasing resistance causing a bigger voltage drop) so lets say that by the time the current goes through a 100ft 14 ga cord you have full amperage at the tool but only 95 or 100v, the motor needs the full voltage to operate effeciently, so you set it to speed 6 to compound and now it wants to be on 9600 opm, without full voltage the only way to produce that power is more amperage, the motor draws more amperage than it was designed for and the motor armature heats up more, now the motor has greater impedence (resistance essentialy) and the wasted energy comes out as heat. its not a wives tale, dont cheap out on an extension cord running a $350 tool.
TL: DR
thinner cords cause a drop in voltage, the tool needs to draw more amperage due to running on less voltage, more amperage through the motor=excessive heat, excessive heat kills electrical components.
loudog2
New member
- Aug 5, 2008
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Page 4 post #37 on down
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...4201-lubricating-felt-ring-flex-3401-a-4.html
Calendyr
New member
- Jun 9, 2013
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Wasn't there a way to put some kind of spacer on the Flex to increase the clearance between the backing plate and the body of the buffer? I seems to recall having read that in Renny Doyle's book. Anyone know anything about that? If memory serves it was an adaptor of some kind for rotary pads... I think... it's really vague in my memory and I don't feel like going through the whole book to try to find it.
VISITOR
Active member
- May 10, 2007
- 9,859
- 3
what has been updated and does it not use the white felt ring anymore?
erichaley
New member
- Apr 27, 2013
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I can't say for certain, but I believe it was modified in such a way that the BP doesn't ride along the felt ring all the time.
VISITOR
Active member
- May 10, 2007
- 9,859
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maybe just an added washer similiar to the mod for the rupes?
erichaley
New member
- Apr 27, 2013
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Okay, time to eat crow...
There was another post where someone was asking about lubricating the felt ring on a FLEX XC 3401 VRG, and I figured that this time I would post the actual link to where Mike spoke about it being no longer required nor recommended.
One problem: I couldn't find those exact words...
So, here I am admitting I was wrong in that he never said those exact words.
But...
... my opinion that lubricating the felt ring is no longer required nor recommended still stands. I was incorrect in stating that those exact words were spoken. If you still want to lubricate the ring, it's your personal preference, and there's nothing wrong with doing so. That being said, if you are going to do so, I recommend following Mike's method and lubricating agent.
To clarify what he said, here is his post (which happens to be the same post you linked to in your reply) from the thread Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401 (I suggest reading the entire thread - lots of good information):
---------- Begin Copied Post ----------
Huh? :dunno:
This is correct but I would note that the backing plate will only come into contact if a person is pushing down hard enough to bend the backing plate enough so that it comes into contact with the felt ring.
Here's the deal... a whole bunch of us do push down hard when doing major correction work and that is kind of what guys do... you know, push tools to their limit...
Note the part I formatted the text below... personal preference... I write very carefully, that is I pick each and every word I post to any forum very carefully and purposefully.
There's really no need to take something very simple and make it very complicated. It can't hurt to add a few drops of a light lubricating oil to the felt ring to add lubrication in case you're ever pushing so hard against the tool, ESPECIALLY if applying pressure at an angle so only one portion of the face of the pad is being pushed on JUST IN CASE you push so hard that the plastic backing plate comes into contact with the felt ring.
I personally like the idea because I've seen guys lay into these tools and I might even do it once in a while too. It's simple to do and while it might not be needed it certainly doesn't hurt.
Make sense?
:dunno: