The Electric Eel Model E Drain Cleaning Machine is a robust and efficient tool designed for professional use in clearing drain and sewer lines. This drum machine is specifically engineered to handle lines ranging from 1 1/4 inches to 3 inches in diameter, with a maximum reach of 75 feet. Its design emphasizes durability, safety, and ease of operation, making it a reliable choice for various drain cleaning tasks.
Function Description:
The primary function of the Electric Eel Model E is to clear blockages in drain and sewer lines. It utilizes a rotating cable, stored within a drum, which is fed into the pipe to break up and remove obstructions. The machine is equipped with a powerful 1/3 H.P. reversible motor that drives the cable, allowing it to bore through tough clogs. An easy-to-use foot switch provides hands-free operation, enabling the user to maintain control of the cable with both hands. The machine's dual disc drum shaft slip clutch is a critical safety feature, designed to prevent cable kinking and breakage by slipping when excessive torque is encountered, such as when the cleaning tool gets hung up on an obstruction. The forward/reverse switch allows the operator to change the direction of cable rotation, which is particularly useful for dislodging tools stuck in the pipeline. The machine is designed for manual cable feeding, where the operator guides the rotating cable into the line, applying pressure to work through blockages.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Drum Capacity: 75 feet of either 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch certified music wire cable with a genuine galvanized aircraft wire inner core.
- Line Capacity: Suitable for 1 1/4-inch to 3-inch lines.
- Weight: 53 lbs (machine only).
- Frame: Constructed with 1-inch open space framework, providing stability and balance during operation.
- Clutch: Dual disc drum shaft slip clutch, with a maximum torque setting that must never exceed 35 inch/lbs.
- Motor: 1/3 H.P. reversible motor.
- Power Cord: 20-foot power cord with a standard Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI) for enhanced safety.
- Cable Type: Certified music wire with genuine galvanized aircraft wire inner core, available in 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch diameters. Only Electric Eel galvanized aircraft wire reinforced music wire cable of 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch diameter should be used with this machine.
Usage Features:
- Portability and Transport: The power cord wraps around conveniently-placed brackets for safe and problem-free transport. Additional rear bar shields the motor and allows for flexible two-position operation.
- Operator Safety:
- GFI Protection: Comes standard with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI) on the power cord to prevent electric shock. This device should be tested before each use.
- Foot Switch Operation: An easy-to-use foot switch allows for hands-free operation, enabling the user to keep both hands on the cable for better control.
- Protective Gear: Operators are instructed to ALWAYS wear reinforced leather gloves and safety glasses.
- Belt Guard: An impact-resistant plastic belt-guard is in place for additional operator safety.
- Cable Handling: Operators must always keep both hands on the rotating cable when the machine is running and avoid direct contact of skin, facial area, and eyes with drain water due to potential chemical compounds.
- Clutch Mechanism: The dual disc drum shaft slip clutch is designed to slip when the cleaning tool encounters excessive resistance, preventing cable kinking and breakage.
- Cable Management: A unique inner drum design helps prevent cable buckling. A cast aluminum bracket with a bearing-supported guide tube ensures smooth cable feeding.
- Tool Usage: The machine comes with three cleaning tools and a pair of leather gloves as standard equipment. Operators should select the correct tool for the job or application, referring to the tool listing for appropriate line sizes.
- Operation Procedure (Manual Feed):
- Place the machine within 3 feet of the sewer clean out.
- Attach a small spear-type cleaning tool to the cable end to bore a starter hole.
- Position the foot actuator for easy access.
- Ensure the FOR/REV switch is in the Forward position.
- Hand feed the cleaning tool and approximately one foot of cable into the sewer clean out.
- With gloved hands, depress the foot actuator to start the machine, guiding the rotating cable into the line with downward pressure.
- Continue feeding until an obstruction is met, indicated by the inability to feed more cable or a slowdown/failure of cable rotation.
- If the tool gets hung up, switch the motor from forward to reverse to slowly back the tool from the obstruction.
- To work through an obstruction, run the cable in the Forward direction, pulling on the cable when it loads to back the tool away, repeating until the obstruction is penetrated.
- To retrieve cable, manually pull it from the sewer line and hand feed it back into the machine while running in forward rotation. Continuous flushing with water is recommended to clean the tool, cable, and sewer line.
- Release the foot actuator when the tool is close to the clean out opening.
Maintenance Features:
- Minimal Maintenance: The Model E machine is designed for minimal maintenance throughout its life expectancy.
- Drum/Clutch Exercise: The drum/clutch should be exercised daily. This involves plugging in the machine, grasping the drum firmly with gloved hands, and depressing the foot pedal switch. The machine will run, but the clutch will slip as the drum is held, requiring only a few revolutions of slippage.
- Cable Cleaning: After each use, all cables should be thoroughly cleaned with water. Acids in drain and sewer lines can deteriorate the metal of cables and tools, leading to weakness and potential fracture.
- Component Replacement: Fittings, cables, and any rotating parts should be replaced as soon as they show visible wear, fractures, bends, kinks, or other damage. Only identical replacement parts and cables from Electric Eel should be used to maintain safe operation.
- Clutch Adjustment: The clutch setting of 35 inches/lbs must never be exceeded. In most cases, adjustment will not be needed for the life of the machine. If adjustment is required, a specific procedure involving an inch/lbs. torque wrench and an E-20 adapter from Electric Eel is outlined. This involves removing drum bolts, accessing the clutch mechanism, adjusting the clutch adjustment bolt by 1/8 of a turn, and rechecking the setting after reassembly.
- Electrical Servicing: Users should NEVER attempt to service the electrical components. All electrical replacement components should be installed by a qualified electrician. Before making any adjustments or changes to power units, the machine must be disconnected from the electrical source.
- Extension Cords: If an extension cord is used, it must be equipped with a ground fault interrupter circuit and properly grounded. Only 14/3 or larger three-wire extension cords with three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole receptacles should be used. For outdoor use, only cords intended for outdoor use (indicated by suffix "W-A") are permissible.
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