Post by javajerry on Oct 30, 2007 4:41:09 GMT -5
My Santha is a little over a year old and has had little use (4 batches up to now). I just made a 6 pound batch of milk chocolate (you can read the thread I started in the Failures section if you are interested). I just joined this forum last week and have been reading and learning and I'll share my observations, problems and repairs with you.
My Santha is the one with lots of holes in the sides of the motor housing. Even with the holes, it tended to get quite warm. I never actually took a temperature reading, but it was very warm to the touch. Not to hot to hold my hand against, but high enough to concern me.
I noticed making my last batch of chocolate that there were times that the machine seemed to be "straining" and ine of the rollers was constantly stalling. I had never taken the wheels off the hub (I hadn't considered that they would come apart).
When I finished making the last chocolate, I cleaned everything and this time took the wheels off. I was surprised that they unscrewed so easily. I cleaned everything spotless, let it dry real well, then put things back together. It was then that I decided to do a little maintenance on the machine. I suspected that the belt was slipping and I wanted to see if there was an adjustment so I removed the screws from the bottom of the machine and took it apart. The drive belt was extremely loose. as I turned the large pulley I noticed a bad spot on the belt, so I pulled the belt from the machine.
The belt looked like it had been burned in one spot and was just held together by the cloth outer skin of the belt. I spent about 3 hours searching online for a replacement (without success) so Monday I went searching. Just when I thought I was doomed to be on an eternal wild goose chase, the young lady at a local lawn and garden center matched the belt. ($18 and change plus tax). I hurried home, installed the new belt, adjusted the tension and tested it before replacing the housing.
As I was about to replace the housing screws I decided to do a hole drilling mod to the motor housing. So I removed the motor housing, matched my drill to the holes already in the sides, then drilled 49 holes in the top of the housing. I cleaned everything up, put everything back together then started a batch of white chocolate.
Here's what I have noticed:
1.) The grinding wheels are no longer stalling/dragging.
2.) The machine seems to be running smoother and sounds quieter. This may be my imagination.
3.) The motor housing is cool. I mean really cool. When I place my hand on top (expecting heat) I feel the motor fan sucking air into the housing. It is actually cool to the touch and near the base is barely warm. I suspect it was in excess of 125°F before, now it is barely 100°F at the warmest spot and well below 90° at the top. (it has been running for 10 hours now).
I think Alchemist John had a hack procedure on the website that involved drilling holes, but I can't get the link to work. I just drilled a hole in the center and 48 holes radiating out from the center hole.
I'd recommend, at the very least that if you own a Santha, you take the time to check the belt tension. Replacement belts are not easy to find.
Jerry
My Santha is the one with lots of holes in the sides of the motor housing. Even with the holes, it tended to get quite warm. I never actually took a temperature reading, but it was very warm to the touch. Not to hot to hold my hand against, but high enough to concern me.
I noticed making my last batch of chocolate that there were times that the machine seemed to be "straining" and ine of the rollers was constantly stalling. I had never taken the wheels off the hub (I hadn't considered that they would come apart).
When I finished making the last chocolate, I cleaned everything and this time took the wheels off. I was surprised that they unscrewed so easily. I cleaned everything spotless, let it dry real well, then put things back together. It was then that I decided to do a little maintenance on the machine. I suspected that the belt was slipping and I wanted to see if there was an adjustment so I removed the screws from the bottom of the machine and took it apart. The drive belt was extremely loose. as I turned the large pulley I noticed a bad spot on the belt, so I pulled the belt from the machine.
The belt looked like it had been burned in one spot and was just held together by the cloth outer skin of the belt. I spent about 3 hours searching online for a replacement (without success) so Monday I went searching. Just when I thought I was doomed to be on an eternal wild goose chase, the young lady at a local lawn and garden center matched the belt. ($18 and change plus tax). I hurried home, installed the new belt, adjusted the tension and tested it before replacing the housing.
As I was about to replace the housing screws I decided to do a hole drilling mod to the motor housing. So I removed the motor housing, matched my drill to the holes already in the sides, then drilled 49 holes in the top of the housing. I cleaned everything up, put everything back together then started a batch of white chocolate.
Here's what I have noticed:
1.) The grinding wheels are no longer stalling/dragging.
2.) The machine seems to be running smoother and sounds quieter. This may be my imagination.
3.) The motor housing is cool. I mean really cool. When I place my hand on top (expecting heat) I feel the motor fan sucking air into the housing. It is actually cool to the touch and near the base is barely warm. I suspect it was in excess of 125°F before, now it is barely 100°F at the warmest spot and well below 90° at the top. (it has been running for 10 hours now).
I think Alchemist John had a hack procedure on the website that involved drilling holes, but I can't get the link to work. I just drilled a hole in the center and 48 holes radiating out from the center hole.
I'd recommend, at the very least that if you own a Santha, you take the time to check the belt tension. Replacement belts are not easy to find.
Jerry