How-To Guide :: Soft Serve :: Replacing 3-Phase Motor

Spaceman Soft Serve machines utilize either a single-phase motor with start and run capacitors or a three-phase motor driven by an inverter to drive the main auger to agitate the product.  These motors drive a pulley which turns a belt attached to a gearbox.  Motors range in size from ¼ Horsepower to 1 ¾ Horsepower.  This article will go over the steps to replace your Spaceman Soft Serve three-phase motor.  Please see the parts list for your machine to determine if your model has a single phase motor with start and run capacitors, or a three phase motor with an inverter.  If you have a single-phase motor, please see theSS: Replacing Single-Phase Motor article.

 

Required Tools

1. Metric Hex Driver or Allen key set
   
2. Flathead Screwdriver
   
3. Philips-head Screwdriver
   
4. Metric or Adjustable Wrench set
   
5. 14mm Socket, Wrench, or second Adjustable Wrench
   
6. Clamp-style Amp Meter
   
7. Insulated Needle Nose pliers
   
8. Insulated Wire Cutters and Stripper

1. Turn Power Switch to Off and unplug the machine from the wall.
   
2. Follow the instructions in the Operator Manual to properly drain, disassemble, and clean the machine.  
   

3. Using a flathead screwdriver, unlock all panel locks remove the rear and side panels from the machine.  All panel locks are quarter-turn and should turn inward to unlock, they do NOT require significant force to unlock. For floor-standing machines, generally only the top panels need to be removed.  
   

4. Locate the power inverter and manually press in the run button for the motor(s) (Please refer to the wiring diagram to identify the proper inverter for your machine).  This will, generally, de-energize the components attached to the motor.
   

5. The motor will be below the freezing cylinder.  Each motor will have several wires coming out of a terminal on the rear of the motor.  Remove the protective sheathing from the motor wires.
   
6. Isolate the power wires and cut the wires, one at a time, to disconnect the motor power.   Cut as close to the motor as possible for ease of installing new motor.  
   
7. Using needle nose pliers to pinch the tensioning post on the motor bracket, and an adjustable wrench or socket, loosen the tension on both motor mount springs to loosen the belt tension.
   
8. Remove the belt from the pulleys and set aside.
   
9. Using a 13mm wrench, loosen and remove the four gold nuts that secure the motor mount bracket to the pivot plate.  A 14mm socket can be used to secure the bolt from bottom.  
   
10. Remove the old motor, bracket, and capacitors from machine.
    
11. Locate the two setscrews on the front of the motor pulley attached to the driveshaft.  Use an appropriate Allen wrench to remove the two setscrews (3mm or 5mm depending on model).  
    
12. Install one of the setscrews you just removed into the center setscrew hole on the pulley bushing.  Tighten until the pulley and bushing separate.
    

1. Tightening down this set screw can sometimes seem difficult.  Apply additional pressure until you feel set screw loosen the pulley assembly come free of the motor driveshaft.  
   

13. Remove the pulley and bushing from the old motor and set the setscrews aside.
    
14. Place the new motor and mounting bracket inside machine.  
    
15. Place the replacement capacitors into the capacitor mounting brackets.  Use a 7mm wrench to secure the capacitor housings in place.
    
16. Route the capacitor wires along the frame as before and protect with sheathing / secure in place with zip ties as required.
    
17. Align the motor mount bracket with the bolt holes on the pivot plate and install bolts loosely.  
    
18. Install the pulley onto the motor driveshaft, and place bushing inside center of the pulley and align.  The gear box pulley should be directly in-line with motor pulley below.  
    

19. Install set screws into the two side holes on the bushing, attaching the pulley to the bushing.  Prior to tightening, check again to ensure gearbox pulley is in line with the motor pulley below and adjust, as necessary.
    
20. From the rear of the machine, ensure the gearbox pulley is inline with the motor pulley, and then tighten the motor mounting brackets using a 13mm wrench on top, and a 14mm socket or wrench on the bottom.  
    
21. Using appropriate wire nuts or wire crimps, cut and splice the motor power wires on the new motor to the existing wiring cut in Step 9.
    
22. To test the motor functionality, plug the machine back into power.  Place a clamp meter around one of the black power wires, and press the run button on the inverter that drives the motor.  The motor should turn on and read approximately 1.0 Amps or less for 220V motors and 4.0Amps or less for 110V motors.  Unplug machine from the wall before continuing.
    

23. Reinstall the belt on the pulleys.  If the belt is too tight, loosen the spring tensioning bolts further until the belt easily installs on the pulley.  Ensure the belt is vertically aligned and make pulley adjustments, as necessary. 
    
24. Check belt tension.  There should be approximately +/- 0.5 inches of play in the belt.  
    
25. Using needle nose pliers to hold the motor tensioning shaft and an appropriate wrench or socket, tighten the motor mounting springs until the belt tension is set correctly. 
    

26. The motor is now installed, and you should be able to turn the belts by hand freely without binding or noise.  To test the motor functionality, plug the machine back into power.  Place a clamp meter around one of the black power wires, and press the run button on the inverter that drives the motor.  The motor should turn on and read approximately 1.0 Amps or less for 220V motors and 4.0Amps or less for 110V motors with no load.  Unplug machine from the wall before continuing.
    
27. Reinstall electrical box covers, and side panels. 
    
28. Follow Operator Manual to Lubricate, Assemble, Sanitize, and add product to the machine.