CTL36 Not starting

[mattfc]

I just wanted to check that I haven't missed anything before I contact festool..

I have a CTL36, probably had about 2 hours use, bought in Feb this year. I haven't used it in about a month, went to switch it on.. nothing. I know power is running into it fine, I plugged a tool in both of the auto-cycle plugs which started fine, the motor just doesn't start up. Manual doesn't work either.

any suggestions (other than the control board or motor are stuffed?)

Thanks
Matt

 

[Klaudio]

Hi have the same problem with the CT 33 E any news from Festool?

 

[Klaudio]

Also, I though that a wire may have come loose due to vibration but tools work when connected
to auto.  Going to check continuity of the switch because tactile feedback is poor on these switches.  
The switches feel and look rather cheap and their range of moment is over extended. But there could be problems
further down line.

 

[Jaybolishes]

My CT Ac 36 did the same thing.  I just sent in to be serviced.  I wonder what's going on with these 36's.  my vac had the very same issues yours is having. 

 

[Klaudio]

I think i have found the problem with my vac.  Completely disassembled the unit using a 4mm flat head screwdriver for the torx screws
And...worn carbon brushes, particularly the one with the hole in it and the spring sticking out.
This causes no contact with the armature and no circuit.  Why is there a hole and a spring in the middle of the
carbon brush? Anyway going to order some new brushes and put the motor back to see if it works. Should have the result in a week.

Some images of the worn brushes below- sry but forgot to turn the flash on.  

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

 

[mattfc]

Mines only had about 3 hrs use so better not have worn out!

 

[DKurzweil]

I think i have found the problem with my vac.  Completely disassembled the unit using a 4mm flat head screwdriver for the torx screws
And.........worn carbon brushes, particularly the one with the hole in it and the spring sticking out.
causing no contact with the armature and no circuit.  Why is there a hole and a spring in the middle of the
carbon brush? Anyway going to order some new brushes and put the motor back to see if it works. Should have the result in a week.
Links to some images of the brushes below. 

DropBox links:

http://db.tt/aR7xgDrm
http://db.tt/pnMuVD2B
http://db.tt/H91Al2Cn

I might be wrong, but I read that the spring is there to prevent using the brushes to the point where the metal may come in contact with the armature.  By using the brushes down to about 1mm or so, the brushes stop working sooner (but not my much) but there is less risk of damage caused by over worn brushes.

Again, I might be wrong, but I feel as though I've read this somewhere when researching carbon brushes a few years ago.

Daniel

 

[peter halle]

Daniel,

If you are trying to say that Festool designs its tools so that the brushes fail prior to the point where damage is caused to the rest of the motor, I believe you to be correct.

Peter

 

[DKurzweil]

Daniel,

If you are trying to say that Festool designs its tools so that the brushes fail prior to the point where damage is caused to the rest of the motor, I believe you to be correct.

Peter

Well, Peter,  you just put my random ramblings into a perfectly concise manner.  Thanks!

Daniel

 

[woodwrights_corner]

mattfc,

One question please, did you purchase a brand new CT 36 from an authorized Festool Dealer? 

Woodwrights Corner

 

[mattfc]

yes.. just about to move house hence haven't gone through claiming on the warranty, I just wanted to ask here to make sure I wasn't missing anything blindingly obvious, or whether others had similar issues and whether there was a specific cause/inherent defect

 

[Klaudio]

If you are trying to say that Festool designs its tools so that the brushes fail prior to the point where damage is caused to the rest of the motor, I believe you to be correct

Yup,

Found another post with with images of the brushes and the internal sprung safety pin.  The part description actually is "shut off brush" I doubt many festool owners know of this.  
I don't think I have read of this in the manual.  If you've had your vac more than 3 or 4 years or you use it very often and it suddenly stopped working it may well be the motor brushes.

 

[Klaudio]

Hi, got my Festool CT33e back up and running today, good to hear her going again -thanks to the new brushes.  The armature on the motor looked good enough, so it didn't warrant replacing the motor -which can get very costly.  Here in AUS, a set of shut off brushes cost $67 and over two weeks waiting for them to come from Germany.  Here is a comparison between a worn brush and new brushes. Surprised at how long the new ones are.

[attachimg=#]

 

[Jaybolishes]

Got my CT AC 36 back a couple of weeks ago.  The service department fixed it and sent it back in seven days, great turn around in my book.  The problem apparently was it needed a new electronic module.  I wonder how much that part would cost without the warranty?  The service department also replaced my dust bag and gave me a new one, sweet!

 

[semenza]

Got my CT AC 36 back a couple of weeks ago.  The service department fixed it and sent it back in seven days, great turn around in my book.  The problem apparently was it needed a new electronic module.  I wonder how much that part would cost without the warranty?  The service department also replaced my dust bag and gave me a new one, sweet!

From my own experience and what others have posted , that time frame and type of service is very typical from Festool USA.

Seth