OT: Garbage disposal

[ZINOM]

I'm having some issues with my in-sink-erator brand disposal.

It stopped working a day ago, when I flip the switch the motor hums but doesn't spin....I'm able to spin it by hand with the wrench so it doesn't appear to be jammed.

I don't know if this is related and I don't want complicate what might be a simple matter, but the faucet seems to give a slight "thunk" when I turn it on also....I don't know if that indicates some kind of back pressure caused by the disposal problem or not...just figured I'd mention it in case.

The reset button is fine, the unit spins freely enough,
I plunged it so it drains quickly, there's power getting to the motor..??....I just don't know enough about motors I guess to know what's up.

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks All,

John

[Black_Moons]

Could be a blown starter cap or starter cutout switch. If you are not comfertable with playing with 120V ac id highly recommend just removing the motor itself, CLEANING it (well, of the garbage), and taking it to a motor repair shop where they can quickly figure out whats wrong and have the parts to replace it.

[Highpower]

He can probably buy a new unit for what it would cost to fix the old one. :)

[camdigger]

The disposal motor's starting circuit is done.

The disposal should be attached to the sink drain with a 1/4 turn quik tach device, to the drain/dishwasher with 1 1/2 drain pipe and have a single piece of loomex for power (at least mine is). Disposals of that type are +/- $100 from a big box store, an appliance repair shop will usually have a minimum $30-$50 to look at it plus parts, if available. Not worth messing with IMHO.

Careful shopping at the big box store should get you a unit that will hook up to the existing connections without modifications and have you back grinding potato peels by supper time.

Other than being mounted to the same sink, there should be no connection between the supply side faucet and the disposal. I think it's an unrelated issue like a loose hold down on the taps, sink, etc.

[KIMFAB]

Does it really get used?
My wife was in the habit of peeling 10 lbs. of potatoes, then turn the water on and shove all the peelings in at once. "Gronk" was the sound it usually made.
I took my dirty, smelly, prone to failure unit out and replaced it with a chunk of pipe.
Works much better now and we have mulch for the garden and don't worry about the septic tank.
Appeal to her green side. Tell her Algore wants you to do it.:p

[SpyGuy]

Tell her Algore wants you to do it.

That would motivate me to install a disposer on every sink in the house.

[JanvanSaane]

Probably has an inertia switch for the start up windings. Probably could be taken apart and fixed. Could also rig a pulley to the shaft and put a pull rope on it to get the RPMs up enough to make it run. Tell the wife to turn the switch on and give the rope a good pull. It may work but the temperature in your house is going to drop. John

[bobhdus]

With the unit off, can you verify that the impeller is spinning with the shaft by using your wrench to hold the shaft underneath the sink and a wooden dowel pressed into the impeller above? I don't know much about your brand but some have the impeller threaded on and others may be pressed onto shaft or use a shear pin.

[camdigger]

If you suspect the impellor is loose off the shaft, you should be able to look at the wrench recess with an inspection mirror and turn on to see if the motor is turning?

[Falcon67]

The disposal motor's starting circuit is done.

The disposal should be attached to the sink drain with a 1/4 turn quik tach device, to the drain/dishwasher with 1 1/2 drain pipe and have a single piece of loomex for power (at least mine is).

FWIW - all modern disposals use basically a 1/3 turn lock but the lock and matching sink drain may be mfg specific. Out new Kenmore and the no name big box model in my daughters new house look the same anyway. The dishwasher connection will be about 3/4", all dishwashers use the same hose size. The dishwasher may connect to the sink drain instead of the disposal. I also agree - toss it if old, go get a new one - but look over your setup and be sure you can either swap in a new or you have the necessary adapter fittings. I just installed a new Kenmore 3/4HP with a stainless chamber and impeller parts - very quiet and will eat about anything. I replaced the sink drains and all the drain piping to the wall to get it installed.

[camdigger]

Careful shopping at the big box store should get you a unit that will hook up to the existing connections without modifications and have you back grinding potato peels by supper time.



Emphasis added.

Regardless, both disposals I've purchased for replacements came with enough hardware to mount the new one to any sink. Plumbing is cheap and relatively easy to do.