Porter cable router stopping and starting

[jeff]

Got my bot up and running.. doing some trial cuts and while trying to cut for less than 20 minutes, the porter cable router would stop, and start back after about 10-15 seconds.... ran more, then did it again later.. the router is plugged into an extension cord... maybe the cord is too long or too small?? would that cause this?
Thanks..

[michael_schwartz]

Is your bot new or used, and what kind do you have ie PRS, PRT, Standard, Alpha etc..

I would plug the router in to an outlet with an extension cord and let it run while cutting something to see if this still happens

The cable that came with my PRS to run from the control box to the routers cord is 14 gauge with really thick insulation. If your extension cord is 14 gauge gauge that probably isn't the issue.

The thing I would try to isolate first if this is an issue with the control box or software, or the router.

[jerry_stanek]

At the shop I work we have a porter Cable that does that and can't figure it out. It will be cutting and all of a sudden it will just stop and hum than it will restart. We use that one by hand so it isn;t a big problem.

[cabnet636]

check and make sure switch is not full of dust!

jim

[myxpykalix]

It sounds like an issue with the brushes or some internal connection inside the router. My porter cable router is connected to at least a 25 ft cable run into my control box and i've never had that problem.

I have had an issue trying to run a large compressor at the end of a 100 ft cord and it did basically what you describe and i'm sure a router draws as much power, so cord length will play a factor.

Do like michael suggests and plug it directly into an outlet with an appropriate size and length extension cord to eliminate any issue with your control box.

To eliminate any power cord issues you may have to unmount the router from the bot and plug it directly into an outlet. If it still does it it's an internal issue with the router and someone will have to fix it.

[navigator7]

Jeff wrote: """Got my bot up and running.. doing some trial cuts and while trying to cut for less than 20 minutes, the porter cable router would stop, and start back after about 10-15 seconds.... ran more, then did it again later.. the router is plugged into an extension cord... maybe the cord is too long or too small?? would that cause this? """

Gosh...it almost sounds precisely like it is on a 20% duty cycle circuit. A friend of mine bought a new mig welder wire feeder.
A tiny little thing. He didn't know the machine had a 20% duty cycle and when it times out....it times out! No Nothing.

Every time it stopped, he tore it all apart and put it back together and it worked! LOL

But I digress.......

You don't have any magnets stuck near the porter cable router do you?

[robtown]

Check brushes, and switch.
When it does run, are there a lot of sparks in the motor (from the brushes).

I've had a couple switches go bad. My current PC router has had a switchectomy, it's hardwired and I have a switch remotely mounted now...

[jeff]

hey guys.. it is a used PRT.. 2005.. It doesn't have a cable running to the control box.. I ran it straight to an outlet, so i have to manually turn it on before the job starts. It isn't sparking, but I was looking at my extention cord.. looks like it carries 13A but the PC carries 15A. I'm gonna try that route then check the brushes..I am also gonna clean up the switch! I'm getting closer, but it now I think it's teasing me!!

[cabnet636]

"but it now I think it's teasing me!!"


yes i have had some deeply spiritual tool problems myself!!

jim

[jerry_stanek]

We have 6 of these routers and only one does this Also I have 3 in my shop and none do this either.

[michael_schwartz]

Jeff Wrote

hey guys.. it is a used PRT.. 2005.. It doesn't have a cable running to the control box.. I ran it straight to an outlet, so i have to manually turn it on before the job starts. It isn't sparking, but I was looking at my extention cord.. looks like it carries 13A but the PC carries 15A. I'm gonna try that route then check the brushes..I am also gonna clean up the switch! I'm getting closer, but it now I think it's teasing me!!

--------------------------

Probably the brushes, switch, or something. Probably time to take it apart and rebuild, or replace it. If your router has seen some use I am sure the bushings are worn as well. You may want to replace those while you have it apart.

14 gauge cord is fine for a 15 amp tool, provided the cord is not much longer than 25' or so. This length may be greater, but I am not sure.

I have cut for 4-5 hours with my PC router with no issues, but then again it is brand new. Routers are very much made to be disposable. When they start to go bad, you can either rebuild them to some extent, or toss them in the garbage.

[ron brown]

My PC7518 only pulls 15A on startup. Regular cuts measured a maximum if 1100W ~9A in heavy cuts and closer to 600W/5A for most stuff.

BTW ... that is far less than 3.25 or 3.5 advertised HP. I still use 12Ga cords for my larger power tools.

Ron

[eaglesplsh]

Isn't if funny how a professional woodworker thinks about power tools vs. the weekend warrior?!

We buy top of the line routers as "disposable" tools, knowing that they will need to be replaced just like used sandpaper. My father still uses the corded drill that he inherited from his uncle. It's probably 50 years old and if it quit working today he'd be shocked.

[navigator7]

There are two tools I have no idea how our fore fathers did without:
The cordless impact screw gun and an air nailer.
Framing hammers, for the most part are used to put walls back on location after the air nailer pushed them off after a double hit or to pound a nail in where the gun won't fit......Enter the palm nailer which beats a framing hammer to pieces!

When I was a kid, the sounds of a construction site was filled with hand powered crosscut saws. Now...the only hand saws we have is a hacksaw and a some wimpy Craftsman crosscut saw we use for cutting Quadlock foam for forming basement walls.

But then again, our fore fathers never had routers that started and stopped as they pleased!

[paul_z]

Is it a soft start router? If so, the soft start ecectronic module may be going bad. Typically they simply fail completely but I have heard of other failure modes. The module is not cheap - $70 or so.

Paul Z

[cnc_works]

As Paul, I would go with the electronic speed control module.

Jeff, save your pennies (dollars?) and get a spindle. If an Italian spindle is not in the budget, there has been favorable mention in the forum of really inexpensive water cooled spindles from an unmentionable country quite a bit further east.

Donn

[cabnet636]

one of these days we will figure out how to get festools big router to adapt to a cnc, it basically is a hand held spindle.

jim

[rb99]

You need to replace the brushes.

They are a wear part.


RIB

[jeff]

thanks everyone! I got this bot used, and I think after I put a little money into it, it'll be like new! I did get a 12 Gauge cord today and was able to run for about 2 hrs with no problems.. I surfaced the table also.. I will eventually get the version 4 software and a spindle.. just got to finish a few jobs to get some pennies and dollars! Thanks again for all of your input! You guys are the best!

Jeff