My electric mower has started working intermittently. Sometimes it turns on ok, but sometimes it either refuses to turn on or cuts out during use. It seems like holding the power cord at a specific angle can help get it to run, but that only works some of the time. The probem is definitely the mower as I've tried plugging it into different sockets with the same results.
I did a bit of googling and people were saying it could be a problem with the on/off switch, so I bought and installed a new one. When I started the mower the first time after this it worked, but the second time it just refused to turn on.
Does anyone know what else the problem could be please? I'd rather not have to buy a whole new mower if there's potentially a quicker, cheaper fix!
If it helps, the mower is a qualcast cobra 32 several years old, and the replacement switch I bought is this one:
https://tinyurl.com/5n7m2ush
Electric lawnmower working intermittently
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Someone-Else
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Electric lawnmower working intermittently
The site you linked to is on this forums banned list, so we can't see it, DON'T try to negate it. I would say since you said
Try it some more, move the cable and see is there a specific place it stops. Start at the mower end.
it is the cable not the switch.
Try it some more, move the cable and see is there a specific place it stops. Start at the mower end.
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Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
If gloom had a voice, it would be me. Click Here for a video how to add/change picturesInept people use the QUOTE BUTTON instead of the QUICK REPLY section
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Electric lawnmower working intermittently
I agree with S-E, sounds like the cable not the switch - but where do you have to move the cable to get it operating? Actually, wiggling a cable carrying 240 volts is not really a very good idea, if the cable has become damaged in any way, it is really very unsafe, for which read dangerous!
This is a mower where the mains lead from the plug goes in to the switch assembly mounted on the handlebar, then another short cable goes from the switch to the cable. Which section is it? Has the mower been run over the cable, is there any damage between the plug and switch? (Common issue with hedge trimmers!)
Normally these machines (and all such electrical equipment) have a clamp securing the outer cable where it enters the switch or motor, but prolonged flexing over many years immediately before the clamp can lead to the wires breaking inside the insulation. With the plug NOT in the socket, gently pull (stretch) the cable at these points to see if if the rubber/plastic has any give in it, intact copper wire won't allow stretch, broken copper will. If you find this movement, shorten the cable and remake the connections carefully.
This is a mower where the mains lead from the plug goes in to the switch assembly mounted on the handlebar, then another short cable goes from the switch to the cable. Which section is it? Has the mower been run over the cable, is there any damage between the plug and switch? (Common issue with hedge trimmers!)
Normally these machines (and all such electrical equipment) have a clamp securing the outer cable where it enters the switch or motor, but prolonged flexing over many years immediately before the clamp can lead to the wires breaking inside the insulation. With the plug NOT in the socket, gently pull (stretch) the cable at these points to see if if the rubber/plastic has any give in it, intact copper wire won't allow stretch, broken copper will. If you find this movement, shorten the cable and remake the connections carefully.