Wahl clippers troubleshooting
October 17, 2022 10:05 PM Subscribe
I have a "Wahl Cordless Magic Clipper" that got wet and now no longer functions. I've replaced the battery but it is still unresponsive when I flip the switch.
The clippers do activate for a millisecond if I disconnect and then reconnect the battery, but only when the switch is in the off position.
Is there anything else that I should try?
Picture of the innards.
The clippers do activate for a millisecond if I disconnect and then reconnect the battery, but only when the switch is in the off position.
Is there anything else that I should try?
Picture of the innards.
Response by poster: They've been sitting out opened up for over a week- I think it's thoroughly dry by now.
posted by xxx9038709992203 at 10:13 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by xxx9038709992203 at 10:13 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oil the blades thoroughly. Then when you turn it on, give the blades a little 'bump' against a hard surface. Sometimes they have trouble overcoming inertia to start sliding back and forth and this does the trick.
posted by (F)utility at 10:30 PM on October 17, 2022
posted by (F)utility at 10:30 PM on October 17, 2022
You could probably just remove the blades like you would for sharpening or alignment, then turn it on and see if anything makes noise.
Check for corrosion on the battery contacts? That might happen electrolytically pretty quickly upon contact with water (I don't actually know).
posted by rhizome at 10:38 PM on October 17, 2022
Check for corrosion on the battery contacts? That might happen electrolytically pretty quickly upon contact with water (I don't actually know).
posted by rhizome at 10:38 PM on October 17, 2022
The clippers do activate for a millisecond if I disconnect and then reconnect the battery, but only when the switch is in the off position.
This sounds like the operation of a circuit breaker relay, but I can’t come up with a rationale for why it would only happen in the off position.
A circuit breaker would be necessary if the mechanism is frozen, because continuing to send current through it when it’s frozen would make it overheat and destroy the varnish-like insulation on the magnet wire.
So my tentative guess is that rust is causing internal parts to bind, which might be fixable by taking it apart more completely and cleaning and reoiling the mechanism.
A lot of work which might be fruitless if it’s not made to be repairable, because you’d run into rivets and spot welding in places where there would be removable clips and screws if it was designed to be serviced. I still think it would be interesting to try though, if you have smallish screwdrivers and other tools as well as an hour or two to spare.
posted by jamjam at 10:50 PM on October 17, 2022
This sounds like the operation of a circuit breaker relay, but I can’t come up with a rationale for why it would only happen in the off position.
A circuit breaker would be necessary if the mechanism is frozen, because continuing to send current through it when it’s frozen would make it overheat and destroy the varnish-like insulation on the magnet wire.
So my tentative guess is that rust is causing internal parts to bind, which might be fixable by taking it apart more completely and cleaning and reoiling the mechanism.
A lot of work which might be fruitless if it’s not made to be repairable, because you’d run into rivets and spot welding in places where there would be removable clips and screws if it was designed to be serviced. I still think it would be interesting to try though, if you have smallish screwdrivers and other tools as well as an hour or two to spare.
posted by jamjam at 10:50 PM on October 17, 2022
That white piece of plastic looks like it’s shielding and holding a motor in place, so if you removed it and disengaged the motor from the mechanism that drives the blades without disconnecting the wires, you could first make sure the motor shaft turns freely, and then try connecting the battery and flipping the switch to see if it would spin. If it does, clean and reoil the blade mechanism as throughly as possible.
posted by jamjam at 11:09 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 11:09 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
You might want to try and contact Wahl customer service. Mr. dancinglamb had an issue with Wahl clippers that crapped out on him and they replaced them no questions asked. I believe he purchased them on Amazon.
posted by dancinglamb at 2:09 AM on October 18, 2022
posted by dancinglamb at 2:09 AM on October 18, 2022
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posted by mekily at 10:12 PM on October 17, 2022