McClean: RollerDrum BrushReplacement

Overview

So the roller drum has stopped doing what it does so well---that is, roll around a bunch of tubes. Why oh why is this happening? First thing to check (thanks to the all-knowing Dr. Silverman for letting me in on this) is if the motor brushes need to be replaced.

What, you ask, is a motor brush. The motor brushes transfer power to the motor's commutator. They do not, in fact, look anything like a brush. Some basic explanations can be found in the links below.

The are made of carbon, and push against the commutator. They are made to wear down, so they need to be replaced.

The worn brush at the bottom of this picture caused the roller drum to stop spinning. Contrast with the new brush at the top of the image.

Materials

You will need the following to change the brushes in the lab roller drums:

• New brushes (Menards #66722 Brushes)
• Philips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• 7/16 in. combination wrench (Can be checked out from the student shop)
• Beaker or similar to collect screws as your remove them

Everything is available in our lab's toolbox, except for the brushes and the combination wrench. The combo wrench you can check-out from the student shop with your Green Pass, or similar. The brushes are in the "spare parts" drawer, or you may need to order more.

[ToolsForBrushReplacement.jpg]

Protocol

1. Step 1
2. Step 2
3. Step 3

Helpful Links

• Lest you want to change the brushes on your washing machine's motor: Art of Doing Stuff's Explanation

Notes

Please feel free to post comments, questions, or improvements to this protocol. Happy to have your input!

1. List troubleshooting tips here.
2. You can also link to FAQs/tips provided by other sources such as the manufacturer or other websites.
3. Anecdotal observations that might be of use to others can also be posted here.

Please sign your name to your note by adding '''*~~~~''': to the beginning of your tip.

References

Gietz, R.D. and R.A. Woods. (2002) TRANSFORMATION OF YEAST BY THE Liac/SS CARRIER DNA/PEG METHOD. Methods in Enzymology 350: 87-96.

Contact

• Megan N McClean 14:01, 20 July 2011 (EDT)

or instead, discuss this protocol.