Bosch 1617EVSPK Router

[doobes]

So,

I've had this router for a fairly long time.

It survived being flooded in Hurricane Katrina.

I went to use it the other day, and it started sparking, and emitted an odor indicating release of the magic blue smoke was imminent. So it was immediately shut down.

Taking it apart, the commutator was pretty dirty and the brushes looked pretty nasty.  So I replaced the brushes and cleaned the commutator off with an abrasive pad.

It's better now, but still not right.

I think it's the speed control, but I don't like throwing parts at problems.

Can this router be wired to bypass the speed control?

Thanks in advance

[jteneyck]

I would think so.  I did that with an old Hitachi router when the speed control went south, and it runs fine now, but always at full speed.  I use an after market external speed controller to adjust the speed as needed.

But before giving up on the existing speed controller, blow it out with compressed air.  Bosch ones are well known for problems due to sawdust getting into them, including one of the ones I have.  

John

[doobes]

I would think so.  I did that with an old Hitachi router when the speed control went south, and it runs fine now, but always at full speed.  I use an after market external speed controller to adjust the speed as needed.

But before giving up on the existing speed controller, blow it out with compressed air.  Bosch ones are well known for problems due to sawdust getting into them, including one of the ones I have.  

John

Well,

I just wanted to test to make certain the armature wasn't toast.

Once there, Ill prolly replace the speed control.

They aren't particularly expensive.

[kurt18947]

Well,

I just wanted to test to make certain the armature wasn't toast.

Once there, Ill prolly replace the speed control.

They aren't particularly expensive.

Before you toss the speed control, just take a close look at any electronic components that are visible. I have a P-C 8529 that had a speed control problem and the accepted fix was to remove the speed control and wire it straight through like John suggested. I kept the speed control for a couple years but decided there was no point in keeping it longer so threw it out. Of course a couple weeks after that I read about router speed controls having the same problem that computer motherboards had in the late 90s I think -- bad capacitors. Capacitors on electronic circuit boards look like little cans. Sometimes when they fail they swell or maybe leak. I don't know how to test them beyond appearance.

At least you can get replacement speed controls. For the P-C 8529 fuggetaboutit.

[tablesawtom]

Yes it can be rewired to a single speed I had a friend do it for me and it is still running. But if you have to have it rewired  in a shop, it will probably be cheaper to just get a new one after the smoke clears.

Tom