[Bill Douglas]

I bought a cheap 240 volt electric lawn mower from the recycling shop at the dump.

I like it, nice and light, and does a good job. But it dies after about two minutes. I release the lever on the power switch then pull it back on and it goes for thirty seconds, then same again etc.

I thought it may have an overheating sensor that is not working right. But there is not much to the thing. The power goes to negative and positive (phase) terminals on a little box 1" x 1" x 1/2" then two wires come from that into the motor. This part may be a rectifier - I don't know. I suspect it's the part causing trouble. Can I just buy any ole cheap 240 volt rectifier from an electrical store and solder it in?

Thanks. It's only a dump shop mower, but it would be nice if it went well.