Preston Posted April 11, 2017 Report Share Posted April 11, 2017 So, I bought a Brent CXC wheel off Craigslist. I picked it up from San Francisco, which is not the ideal environment for electronics as I'm sure you know. Anyway, when I picked it up, they had moved it out in front of the house the night before (it had been this woman's mother's, and the lady I got it from had no idea how wheels work, or that you aren't supposed to leave them outside) anyway, it had rained the night before, but since the wheel had been covered by multiple tarps, I thought it should be fine. I was wrong. When I got home and turned it on, it made an awful grinding noise and spun erratically, and slowly. I shut it off right then. When I brought a friend over to take a look, it wouldn't even turn on. I have no idea if the fuse is blown, I pulled it out, but not sure what a blown one looks like, and couldn't fin any photos online. I'm also not sure what year the wheel is, although I don't think it's that new, as you can't even change the spinning direction as far as I can tell. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated. I have very little money right now, and I'm really hoping I can find a way to fix this without having to call a repair service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 12, 2017 Report Share Posted April 12, 2017 It can be difficult to visually tell if a fuse is blown. The best way to know is to test it with a multi-meter. As for the rest of the problems, I don't think the rain from the night before is necessarily the problem unless water actually got into it. Chances are it's just an old crappy wheel that needs repairs. It could be a problem with the controller or the pedal or the motor itself. Assuming the fuse is good, call Brent and ask them how to do a couple of simple tests. Depending on which controller you have, there are ways to move wires around to check if the motor itself is working. Could just be the brushes in the motor need replacing. New pedal guts are cheap, and worth replacing regardless. Brent is very helpful once you get them on the phone, which can be difficult sometimes. If the seller said it was in good working condition, then I'd be asking for my money back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 12, 2017 Report Share Posted April 12, 2017 I doubt the rain did anything to it especially since it had a tarp and its made to be wet on top.. The fuse location on Brent wheels varies by controller. Its a small twist off cap on the front or rear (under the deck on controller box) its usually an 8 amp glass fuze. The fuze is clear glass with a thick wire inside. If its blow it has a break in it-an muti meter om test will confirm this if you have one. Check the fuze and call Amaco /Brent and talk to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Like said, check the fuse - it should be located on the back side of the power switch box where the power lead and foot pedal lead enter/exit. Standard glass fuse, if you see a break in the wire inside it's no good. My guess is that you have an issue inside the foot pedal - if you said you plugged it in and it spun erradically, then you shut it off and it won't work anymore....usually when I see that it means the speed controller inside is still engaged slightly enough to make the wheel spin, but if you couldn't change the speed then the fork inside the pedal is not engaging the lever properly. Inside the pedal is a plastic "fork" that moves the speed control lever switch up/down -- what happens sometimes is the fork gets loose and slides around (it's adjustable with a set-screw) and the fork prongs no longer engage the switch anymore...or the fork prong breaks..like if you accidentally drop the pedal on the floor or stomp on it too hard/fast. My advice is to open up the foot pedal and see if anything inside looks out of ordinary, I bet it's something simple. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted April 14, 2017 Report Share Posted April 14, 2017 New pedal guts are cheap, $100 for a Brent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 New pedal guts are cheap, $100 for a Brent. Well, they used to be cheap. What a ripoff. Skutt/TS potentiometer with cord is only $20, and you can buy the entire pedal assembly for $115. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 New pedal guts are cheap, $100 for a Brent. Well, they used to be cheap. What a ripoff. Skutt/TS potentiometer with cord is only $20, and you can buy the entire pedal assembly for $115. I hear ya! Now do y'all understand a little bit better why I don't care for Brent wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 I have had so few issues with my 5 Brent wheels over the decades-parts cost really has been a non issue. Thats said they are overpriced now that Amaco bought them out.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted April 19, 2017 Report Share Posted April 19, 2017 $100 for what "guts" parts on the Brent wheel pedal? there are several parts inside the foot pedal, the entire assembly is around $150. I've personally only seen one item actually fail inside a Brent foot pedal, the plastic lever arm, and for that part it was only like $6. Even if it was the speed controller, the most expensive part on the assembly, it's only around $65. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 20, 2017 Report Share Posted April 20, 2017 $100 for what "guts" parts on the Brent wheel pedal? there are several parts inside the foot pedal, the entire assembly is around $150. I've personally only seen one item actually fail inside a Brent foot pedal, the plastic lever arm, and for that part it was only like $6. Even if it was the speed controller, the most expensive part on the assembly, it's only around $65. The entire foot pedal complete is $213. The guts and cord assembly, all the electrical parts for the pedal, are $101. Without the cord it's $67. Again, guts for a Skutt/TS wheel pedal with cord is $20. Brent wants $478 for the complete Classic controller. The Skutt/TS SSX controller (their upgraded model) is only $280 complete, and it's a much better controller, with 6 adjustable settings. Brent is making a killing on parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhPotter Posted April 20, 2017 Report Share Posted April 20, 2017 Like Mark C. I have been extremely lucky with my 2 Brent wheels. The first, model B, was bought in 1979, $350 includes shipping. It was used maybe 4 times then sat on a covered, but not enclosed, porch till 2008. Had to clear away a few dirt dobber wasp nests hanging on the belt. Have never adjusted anything on this wheel. This wheel is used for trimming. In 2008 a pretty good deal on a 2 year old lightly used model C came up, $400. This wheel is for throwing. Only had to adjust the Hi-Lo speed 1 time on this wheel, the previous owner had tried to adjust and did not know what they were doing. I learned on a Brent and have never sat in front of any other brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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