Shepard Niles Crane Electrical Problems

[william85]

Does anyone have experience troubleshooting vintage Shepard Niles Cranes. When I say vintage, I'm talking 1960's and 1970's with Cutler Hammer contactors and controls. The crane in question is fed by DC so the entire system is good ol' direct current.

I'm getting excessive arcing on the main contactors but I haven't found anything obvious. We are going through contactor tips like crazy. I think they are 100 or 200 amp contact tips.

It seems like I endure a never-ending battle of Shepard Niles Crane electrical problems. Incidently, it looks like the whole cabinet is Cutler Hammer controls.

[Cheller]

Excessive arcing equals excessive current. What motor is causing the arcing? You should probably start there.

[admino]

Agree, typically crane controls would be separated according to function. Shepard Niles is definitely in that league so you should be able to isolate whether one crane motor is causing the arc, and if so, which motor has the high current.