Breaking down an electric motor for copper

**injunjoe** · 09-22-2011, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by miked

I think I figured out how to post pictures. Here is my break down of the four smaller motors.

Mike.

Also a nice job! When I run into bolts that refuse to come out from being snipped off during installation or just rust and abuse, I just go ahead and cut outer jacket and peel apart. Then you can just use bolt cutters on all four of the bolts. The rest pretty much falls apart for ya.

Most of those motors you have in photo are condenser fan motors. I find they are exposed to the weather more then the air handler and tend to be a bit harder to pull the windings out! This is where my "recycled" saved up compressor oil comes into play! I Like to " baste" them in a shallow dish with my saved up "marinade" after I cut the one side and find them being a problem. That make the copper slide out'athere like ..............

Hope this helps!

**Chaser1** · 02-19-2019, 12:23 PM

Wow??? Just read this post of yours from back in 2011. Might just be the single best tip i've read here since joining this forum! Using the oil from the compressors (or within the cut radiators) to "grease" and loosen the cooper windings, might just be the trick for a much easier task of removing the windings from all the electric motors I get. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by injunjoe

Also a nice job! When I run into bolts that refuse to come out from being snipped off during installation or just rust and abuse, I just go ahead and cut outer jacket and peel apart. Then you can just use bolt cutters on all four of the bolts. The rest pretty much falls apart for ya.

Most of those motors you have in photo are condenser fan motors. I find they are exposed to the weather more then the air handler and tend to be a bit harder to pull the windings out! This is where my "recycled" saved up compressor oil comes into play! I Like to " baste" them in a shallow dish with my saved up "marinade" after I cut the one side and find them being a problem. That make the copper slide out'athere like ..............

Hope this helps!