[skeeter]

(sorry, my other post disappeared when I corrected the model#)

Broan Model 1052, stainless, built in

One day I found the compactor running continuously. Turned it off, door won't open, ram in down position, won't raise.

I removed the compactor's rear access plate, raised the ram using socket wrench, reattached chain, reassembled unit. Very next cycle chain falls off again.

This time I ran the unit with the back access plate removed. At the point the ram is at the lowest position, right before it reverses direction, the chain begins to rattle heavily to the point of it getting jambed around the larger sprocket teeth and is forced off.

The manual suggests this is caused by flying trash, which is not the case, that chain looseness is normal, and to inspect for any loose nuts/bolts.

This is a new compactor, hasn't even filled the first bag yet. I notice the upper sprocket, the smaller drive one, is on one assembly and the lower larger sprocket is on another assembly mount. The upper assembly moves independently of the lower one, and when the ram is compacting at the lowest point, the upper assembly begins bouncing around which causes the chain to wobble and eventually detach itself from the large sprocket.

I checked for loose bolts/nuts, none, except for the design of the upper assembly which is meant to be loose, to pivot as the ram lowers.

I removed the half-filled trash bag and replaced with new bag. Chain now stays on, but will come off again when trash is added, when the ram has to actually compact.

I'd like to fix this myself if possible rather than having a tech come out. No way to tighten chain, no way to stabilize upper assembly, no way to remove link in chain, and I even tried to add a "chain guide" in the area.


help ?


Thx

skeeter

[skeeter]

Update: The lower sprocket had some play in it, called Factory Tech and they are going to send an entire motor pack for replacement under warantee. Great service from Braun.

[Admin / APP Team]

Brand new compactor. Ouch!

Great service from Braun

- Agree completely. Broan is a very solid company with good values.

Here is a repair manual for 1052 Broan compactor (also covers models 1050 and 1051).

Let us know how the repair goes.

[skeeter]

Will advise on repair.

Thinking back, I believe the large sprocket (plastic I think) cracked while attempting to crush a small Starbucks Frappacinno bottle. Those things are a bit thick, and it didn't break, so I won't be putting those in anymore. Still, you'd think it would just compact it down with all the other stuff. Maybe the sprocket was cracked already or the drive line was missing a bushing or something. I'll take it apart and see after installing the motor pack. Bonus: now I will have spare parts and spare new motor on hand for doing the warantee work myself!!

[skeeter]

Repair report as promised.

The Broan power pack arrived in a sturdy wooden crate via UPS. Inside I found the entire workings of the compactor, less the cabinet and drawer, all combined into a single unit called the power pack.

The Broan service manual correctly points to four bolts to be removed, however the socket size is 1/2" not 5/32".

A box is required to slip under the packing ram so that the ram can be lowered to take the weight off the four bolts. I found that a TidyCat 40lb kittylitter box worked perfectly.

I removed the four bolts, then slid the power pack out of the cabinet. Installation of the new pack was simple, the entire job took around two hours start to finish with the help of a couple cats. There were no wires to reconnect, except for the cabinet ground wire, which did require the 5/32" socket.

While inspecting my work, I found that I did need to remove the black compacting head from the old unit and mount it to the compacting ram. It is a square piece of steel, shaped like a box, that is what comes in contact with the trash.

I also compared the two power packs to determine the actual cause of failure. Turns out the old pack's chain was way too loose, like it had an extra link or two. The new chain had zero slack, old chain had about 1/3" travel.

For all my work on this brand new unit, I now have a lifetime supply of replacement parts on hand (motor, switches, sprockets, etc.) Broan also comes out ahead, as technicians charge about $1 per mile including return trip to drive the 300mi to where I live (600mi x $1 = new unit.)

Hope this helps the next person, Broan was extremely helpful, sympathetic, and courteous.