do I grease an electric motor

[galeus]

I've got my Sealand electric black water tank pump in pieces as one of the carbon brushes was sticking ( now sorted) and I can see that it all looks a bit dry in there.
There is an enclosed ball bearing (ie I can't see the balls) at each end of the commutator and a spiral gear on the end of the shaft.
I'm thinking of sparingly putting grease on the spiral, but the best I could do with the bearings would be to drip some 3in 1 there.
It all seems to be running fine and is about 15 years old.
What do you think?

 

[Graham376]

I generally think - if it ain't bust, don't play with it. Dripping 3 in 1 into a sealed for life bearing could dilute the captive grease. If there's no sign of old grease on the spiral gear then it's most likely designed to run dry.

 

[coopec]

That's simple

Can You Grease Brushes on an Electric Motor?
By Michael Logan; Updated April 24, 2017

https://sciencing.com/can-grease-brushes-electric-motor-7779664.html

Clive

 

[galeus]

That's simple

Can You Grease Brushes on an Electric Motor?
By Michael Logan; Updated April 24, 2017

https://sciencing.com/can-grease-brushes-electric-motor-7779664.html

Clive

Thanks Clive, but I don't think you read my post

 

[vyv_cox]

Is your spiral gear a worm and wheel arrangement? I would grease it with an EP type grease as this type is quite heavily loaded with a high sliding component.

 

[coopec]

Thanks Clive, but I don't think you read my post

Sorry! That was meant to be tongue in cheek.

Cheers
Clive

 

[galeus]

Is your spiral gear a worm and wheel arrangement? I would grease it with an EP type grease as this type is quite heavily loaded with a high sliding component.

I can't see what the spiral gear engages with, though I can't imagine what it can be but a worm gear.
I think I will take Grahams advice about my 3in 1 thought (ie don't) and just paint a minimal amount of grease (EP type) on the spiral gear.

Thanks Richard

 

[Topcat47]

Te brushes wear, giving rise to "carbon" dust. Any grease in the motor will attract the dust and eventually turn to "pudding". On the other hand, carbon is not a bad lubricant and on small electric motors with worm drives, I have used pencil lead as a "lubricant" on the worm and wheel.

 

[DownWest]

About grease on spiral bevel gears. I have a DeWalt 115 angle grinder. For reasons I can't remember, I opened up the gearbox fairly early on and found there was no grease in it?? Spoke to the vendors who said they would replace it if it went wrong at any time. But they where not sure if there should be grease in it.
Well over 15 yrs later and used daily, often quite hard, it is still fine.