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Disposal disaster
- Thread starter Rgarner
- Start date
ozonetrooper
Android Expert
Did you insert the paint key into to Allen hole in the bottom of the unit and turn the motor ? (An Allen wrench is usually used for this)
What happens is the cutting blades get seized up with either food or rust and the motor can not spin. The "key" allows you to turn the motor to free it up.
Also make sure you are pressing the breaker in all the way.
If it still will not run check the house breaker that feeds the plug under the sing unless it is hardwired but there should be a breaker for it.
Changing on out is easy. If you need to change it out do not buy the cheapest one out there, you will only hate ourself later for it.
What happens is the cutting blades get seized up with either food or rust and the motor can not spin. The "key" allows you to turn the motor to free it up.
Also make sure you are pressing the breaker in all the way.
If it still will not run check the house breaker that feeds the plug under the sing unless it is hardwired but there should be a breaker for it.
Changing on out is easy. If you need to change it out do not buy the cheapest one out there, you will only hate ourself later for it.
ozonetrooper
Android Expert
I worked in the apartment complex world for many years and have changed out more of them than I can count.
The Badger brand are good ones, I would not get anything less than the 100 dollar range if you have to change it out.
They come with instructions that are easy to follow, if you have never done it before.
Oh, and it will come with a key so be sure and hang on to it for the future. I used to spray the cutters with WD 40 when installing a new one and then slowly run water through it while it is running to coat the insides.
Most of the failures I replaced were lock ups from the people not running water through them after using them to clean it out, this causes rust and then the blades/plate seizes up and you are dead in the water unless you can free it up with the wrench.
The Badger brand are good ones, I would not get anything less than the 100 dollar range if you have to change it out.
They come with instructions that are easy to follow, if you have never done it before.
Oh, and it will come with a key so be sure and hang on to it for the future. I used to spray the cutters with WD 40 when installing a new one and then slowly run water through it while it is running to coat the insides.
Most of the failures I replaced were lock ups from the people not running water through them after using them to clean it out, this causes rust and then the blades/plate seizes up and you are dead in the water unless you can free it up with the wrench.
As a matter of fact, it is a Badger Insinkerator, and I did my best. I reset the circuit breaker, which is a double that also serves the dishwasher. I cleared out what was in it, just some fruit pulp and a couple of small hard things, possibly pits. I tried again but no dice. I hope I don't have to get a new one.
Can you hear it hum when you turn it on? Does it immediately flip the breaker when you turn it on? If it hums just a bit before it flips the breaker it is likely stuck and turning it with the hex key should break it loose. The badger brand disposal will also have a red reset button that will trip to prior to the unit burning up. You should check to see if it's tripped. Pushing it in will usually have a haptic sound and click when it's reset.
ozonetrooper
Android Expert
Yes, there will be a small button on the bottom that is a trip button, make sure it is pushed in/not popped out.
If the dishwasher is working then the plug is hot and there is something wrong with the Badger.
Try turning the plate/motor via the hex opening in the bottom.
If it turns freely and the trip breaker is in then you have a electrical motor issue.
Do you know how to use a multi-meter ?
Set it for continuity, most have a buzzer alert, or something to let you know if there is a "path".
If you probe the plug on the Badger there should be continuity twixt the two blades, if there is no continuity your dead in the water.
If you show continuity twixt the "hot" blade and the round ground pin your dead in the water. The neutral prong (normally the wider blade), will show continuity with the round ground pin.
Let us know what happens.
If the dishwasher is working then the plug is hot and there is something wrong with the Badger.
Try turning the plate/motor via the hex opening in the bottom.
If it turns freely and the trip breaker is in then you have a electrical motor issue.
Do you know how to use a multi-meter ?
Set it for continuity, most have a buzzer alert, or something to let you know if there is a "path".
If you probe the plug on the Badger there should be continuity twixt the two blades, if there is no continuity your dead in the water.
If you show continuity twixt the "hot" blade and the round ground pin your dead in the water. The neutral prong (normally the wider blade), will show continuity with the round ground pin.
Let us know what happens.