Motive-power maintenance

[superchief]

THAT ENGINE IS TOAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cajonpassfan]

Why do I feel like laughing? Am I a bad person?
Otto

[Burlington Bob]

If you want to clean an electric motor, you need to use a product that is designed and intended to do just that.  One product that I have successfully used is made by CRC and is called Lectra-Motive Electric Parts Cleaner.  It is non-flammable and is an effective degreaser that removes dirt and oil, is non-staining, non-conductive and leaves no residue.  I first bought it to degrease the chains on my recumbent bicycles before lubing them with a dry Teflon lube.

Then thought "why not" and I  used it on one of my older, non-DCC locos.  I did use compressed air to be sure that there was nothing left behind that I couldn't see before I did a complete lube job.  It's worked for me.

[Burlington Bob]

And I agree.................looks like melted plastic.

[Ntrainz1]

CRC Lectra Clean contains chlorinated solvent. Use with plenty of ventilation.

Bob.

[superduperchief]

Well needless to say, I will go back to my old ways of cleaning. Thought I would try a tip from the forum. I have used CRC before and thought this might be easier on the "Brain"(fumes).

[u18b]

I think you should return it to Atlas for warranty work.
 
 

[peteski]

You guys are funny! Amateurs! 

As I mentioned in another thread I often clean motors by immersing them in an ultrasonic cleaner.  For cleaning fluid I use Naphtha.  It cleans really well.     One thing I ALWAYS make sure to do is that the Naphtha is totally evaporated from the motor before using it again.  I first blow it the motor dry using compressed air.  Then I put it in a food dehydrator (converted for hobby use) for few hours. At around 100 degrees F, this insures that there are not traces of Naphtha left. Then I give it a sniff test.  Only after it passes the sniff thest I re-lubricate it and reinstall it in the model.

I have been doing this for decades and no locomotive engine fires yet. 

EDIT:  since the society we live in seems to have less and less common sense (and more and more lawyers), here is a disclaimer.
  WARNING: Naphtha is a flammable liquid. Carefully read and follow *ALL* the warnings on its packaging and use caution when using it to clean your electric motors. My post here is simply to describe the cleaning process I use. If you decide to use a similar process, use it at your won risk!

[superduperchief]

It would have been nice to know these other steps. I guess the naphta fumes clouded your train of thought on this little tidbit of info. I just learned a hard lesson. Just goes to show you posters with high ratings are not always correct or have the best ways. I will go back to sniffing CRC. I know the end result.

[OHCR 4218]

Sooooo..... I'm guessing there are some Geep parts for sale ?

Brandon

[peteski]

It would have been nice to know these other steps. I guess the naphta fumes clouded your train of thought on this little tidbit of info. I just learned a hard lesson. Just goes to show you posters with high ratings are not always correct or have the best ways. I will go back to sniffing CRC. I know the end result.

Hmm.... Where exactly did I (in the other thread) mention any specific names (or flammability) of the cleaning fluid I use?

Also, if you do use some fluid of unknown composition, it is totally up to you to research how flammable or hazardous it is. If it is flammable, you have to make sure that it is totally evaporated from any electrical device which generates electric arc while operating.  This is called ...using common sense...

Do just can't see how you can blame me for your misfortune.  Since I originally didn't mention what I use for cleaning fluid, I could have been using water with detergent.  Your response shows the the typical "blame and sue someone else for my stupidity" trend that so prevalent  in today's world.  As for who is sniffing naphta or CRC, I don't think I need to make any comments here. 

[havingfuntoo]

Peteski, is the Naphta you use the same same thing as Naphtha??  If it is ....... it is worth noting Naphtha is a highly volatile solvent and using it in any area where there are sources of ignition could lead to disastrous consequences. Your ultra sonic cleaner it self could be a source of ignition ...... have you checked it ...... what type of switches do you have on it? Do you use it in a fume cabinet, do you have any electrical switches in the room you use it in and if so are the compliant to all the safety standards for exposure to such fumes? I know I am going on here like a wet week end but for all the excellent knowledge that is posted around on very good products usually we only hear what it can do that is good for us ....... we don't get the down side of the story.

This posting shows the down side in graphic detail ....... one mistake a little earlier in the cleaning process and that could have been the hobby room that was being working in.  I don't think this is a matter of who is smart and who isn't ...... it is a clear warning to research your materials before you use them .......  and beware of snake oil salesmen who do not identify what it is they are selling.

   

[peteski]

Relax havingfuntoo.  I'm aware of the dangers.  Yes, Naphta, Naphtha - same thing. It is Ronsonol lighter fluid or VM&P Naphta Naphtha.  There are plenty of warnings on the containers. I'm well aware of the dangers. The dangers you described are slightly exaggerated. I do take precautions (haven't blown up any of my locomotives or my ventilated workshop yet).    It is not as volatile as many other solvents I use on my workbench.  Many of the paints and chemicals we use in our hobby are volatile but most of us still manage to stay alive.  No need for a fume cabinet.  The small amount that I use for cleaning and the positive airflow (ventilation) in my workshop insure that the concentration is nowhere high enough to be a problem.

If a person can safely carry a Zippo lighter in their warm pants pocket, next to their family jewels (with Naphta Naphtha-soaked cotton in it), it is not as dangerous as you make it.  That was just a joke - I realize that Naphta is flammable and combustible in certain situations.

Let me repeat: when I mentioned using ultrasonic cleaner in another thread, I did not mention what kind of a cleaner I use.  I just now mentioned that.  The locomotive explosion described here was due to usage of a cleaning fluid without having a clue what that home-brewed cleaning liquid consisted of.

Funny thing is that I posted a similar "chicken-little" warning on another recent thread to a person who was spraying Floquil paint while sucking up fumes into their ShopVac (which most likely has its arcing motor in the air stream). 

[DKS]

I've immersed mechs in a sonic cleaner using heptane (Bestine). While it is flammable, it's also extremely volatile, meaning it evaporates like lightning; within minutes it's totally gone. It's an excellent degreaser.

[havingfuntoo]

Peteski I noted the shopvac posting you made and actually backed you up on that one, drama queen I may be but I would rather be that, than accused of not posting a warning on some thing that I know has the potential to do a lot of damage. There are different grades of naphtha with different properties ...... your choice is lighter fluid ...... some one who follows your suggestion might not choose that grade .......

There is no accounting for what people do and we all know a little knowledge in the wrong hands is very dangerous ....... and I am not casting dispersion at anyone. Your experience and knowledge is quiet extensive and even frustrating but some times you take for granted the knowledge base of fellow Railwire participants.  A little expanding on some of your chosen process could help all.