I have an older dayton gearmotor 2Z806 in an FCG. This year I rebuilt the frame and now I notice a definate "sparking" noise when the motor is running. Strangely enough, if the motor is in any position other than right side up (for a FCG with shaft running straight down) the sparking noise goes away completely. It only makes the noise in the normal operating position for the FCG frame.

I'm no electrician - does anyone have any idea what may be going on and if its still safe to use? I don't remember ever hearing a noise from it before. I just don't want to run it if its potentially dangerous now.

Thanks in advance.

Try vacuming around the motor. It may have dust dirt or metal shavings shorting something out or just making noise. Usually there is a small amount of play in the armature (motor shaft) so if the motor is turned one way the shaft moves in that direction. That may be why it makes a noise one way and not the other. Something in there barely touching the spinning part that when tipped doesn't touch. See what you can find.

Hey thanks Compoast - I ended up taking it apart and wiping it out really well and it really made a quite difference. My thanks to you, sir.

I learned the hard way, metal shavings and motor armatures don't mix.