Hello folks, I need some help with my Leeson motor controller. When I turn my lathe on the radio in my shop(garage) turns to pure static. I tried a battery operated radio and it does the same thing. I have tried adjusting the carrier frequency to no avail. Yes, I have tried Leeson customer support and while the ladies answering the phones are very nice the tech guy won't return calls. I have had other issues with this controller and Leeson's customer service has been unsatisfactory at best. I have another controller from Dealers Electric and never had a problem but it is too small to put on my lathe and it is on my drill press and works fine. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch, Guy
Leeson noise
May 24, 2004
6 Replies
You've got RFI (radio frequency interference). Make sure that the metal case of the unit is properly grounded, and if it does not have a metal case, put it inside a grounded metal box. Make sure the motor itself is properly grounded. If you do both of those and still have noise, put the wire inbetween in grounded conduit.
Grounding's the first, followed by moving the radio antenna away from incoming power. After that, shielding, or installing a choke on the power cord of the lathe might help.
That said, there should be a shunt capacitor to eat that up. I've got one that I have to hitch up as soon as the peas clear the ground so my fencer that defends against the deer won't interfere with the TV. Tough to believe they wouldn't have such a simple thing built in.
Had the same problem when I put in my VFC controller for my 2hp lathe motor. I did all that was suggested by Dealer's Electric and by the maker of the controller. Nothing worked. Finally, I just moved my five disc CD player down to the shop and now listen to music -- far more pleasant than all the crap and corruption going on here and abroad.
Hello, Thanks for the info, really appreciate it!! Guy
I bought the RF filter suggested by the controller mfgr and it helped a bit, but AM radio was still unusable!
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