Question - I have purchased some replacement carbon brushes for my tumble dryer.
Not for the motor, but for part of the automatic moisture detection system on a Miele.
The carbon brushes are attached to an armature which runs along tracks on the exterior of the drum.
Apparently a small current is passed through the drum and when there is a change in the current, due to the evaporation of water, it knows everything is dry. The current passes through the carbon brushes.
The issue is that these carbon brushes do not seem to have much longevity. Due to the shape and curvature of the drum, they are totally worn when only 1/3 used.
I have bought replacements. But due to the odd shape, they cost £22 a pop, which is extortionate for carbon brushes.
So, my working theory is to buy a more standard carbon brush (long thin rectangular shape) cut out a small slot, so that these carbon brushes can slot in. It then gives them a bit of Carbon brush shoe.
My question is, 1) will this work 2) will soldering one carbon brush to another work, or will solder not take to a carbon surface.
This is the shape of the current brushes:
As soon as they have worn to just under the stamped number, they are pretty much useless as they wear at an angle.
The armature:
Then use something generic but slim enough to fit in the tracks - cut a groove out.
Then maybe soldier them together.
This would cut the brush replacement from £20 a pop every few years to £2.
Thoughts?
Not for the motor, but for part of the automatic moisture detection system on a Miele.
The carbon brushes are attached to an armature which runs along tracks on the exterior of the drum.
Apparently a small current is passed through the drum and when there is a change in the current, due to the evaporation of water, it knows everything is dry. The current passes through the carbon brushes.
The issue is that these carbon brushes do not seem to have much longevity. Due to the shape and curvature of the drum, they are totally worn when only 1/3 used.
I have bought replacements. But due to the odd shape, they cost £22 a pop, which is extortionate for carbon brushes.
So, my working theory is to buy a more standard carbon brush (long thin rectangular shape) cut out a small slot, so that these carbon brushes can slot in. It then gives them a bit of Carbon brush shoe.
My question is, 1) will this work 2) will soldering one carbon brush to another work, or will solder not take to a carbon surface.
This is the shape of the current brushes:
As soon as they have worn to just under the stamped number, they are pretty much useless as they wear at an angle.
The armature:
Then use something generic but slim enough to fit in the tracks - cut a groove out.
Then maybe soldier them together.
This would cut the brush replacement from £20 a pop every few years to £2.
Thoughts?