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Electric motor help

bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
edited June 2010 in General Discussion
Hello I have a old air compressor that I need to reverse the motor so it runs the other way--can you do this by switching the wires? It is 220 and it is 50 years old or older. The compressor airs up OK and shuts off OK but the flywheel on the compressor turns the wrong way. THANKS FOR ANY HELP

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    dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 31,950 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You have to switch the wires in the motor. Don
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    montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 58,040 ******
    edited November -1
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
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    dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 31,950 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look for the tag on the motor, you showed the tag from the pressure switch. The motor tag will show what wires to put together to get the rotation you desire. Don
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    topdadtopdad Member Posts: 3,408 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That is a single phase motor, and is most likely not reversable
    Does the compressor work as is ? The fan on the flywheel will
    still move air no matter which way it turns, it just wont be as
    eficiant turning the wrong way. the compressor problly don't
    care which way it turns ( sucks on the down stroke,blows on
    the up stroke ) if it works, and has been for 50 years then
    leave it alone, and let it pump.and keep in the open air.
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    dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 31,950 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by topdad
    That is a single phase motor, and is most likely not reversable
    Does the compressor work as is ? The fan on the flywheel will
    still move air no matter which way it turns, it just wont be as
    eficiant turning the wrong way. the compressor problly don't
    care which way it turns ( sucks on the down stroke,blows on
    the up stroke ) if it works, and has been for 50 years then
    leave it alone, and let it pump.and keep in the open air.



    Single phase motors are reversible. Don
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    topdadtopdad Member Posts: 3,408 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes some are,and some are not.
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by topdad
    That is a single phase motor, and is most likely not reversable
    Does the compressor work as is ? The fan on the flywheel will
    still move air no matter which way it turns, it just wont be as
    eficiant turning the wrong way. the compressor problly don't
    care which way it turns ( sucks on the down stroke,blows on
    the up stroke ) if it works, and has been for 50 years then
    leave it alone, and let it pump.and keep in the open air.


    Yes it is a single phase motor--the compressor is new but the motor is old--I put a fan on the other side of it to keep it cool --THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
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    dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 31,950 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by topdad
    Yes some are,and some are not.


    Look at the motor, that one is. Don
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    gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    open up the box on top of the motor and see if it has a wire diagram inside , if it does it should show how to reverse it , usually its switching 2 of the smaller wires to which lead they go to, usually number 5 and 8

    this site might help

    http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/elec-mtr/elec-mtr.html
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    006.jpg

    007.jpg

    Not a big deal I just thought you could switch a couple of wires--THANKS FOR THE HELP
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    fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    WHY, all of a sudden, do U THINK it needs to be reversed? ( fan direction?) She's worked just fine this long.
    LEAVE IT ALONE!! Use it another 50 years and pass it on to your kids...
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    nordnord Member Posts: 6,106
    edited November -1
    Single phase is not usually reversible... BUT

    If the flywheel is keyed and not tapered, just remove and reverse it.[;)]

    (And that's why they pay me he big bucks.)[^]
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
    WHY, all of a sudden, do U THINK it needs to be reversed? ( fan direction?) She's worked just fine this long.
    LEAVE IT ALONE!! Use it another 50 years and pass it on to your kids...



    GOOD POINT[:)][:)]
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Originally posted by nord
    Single phase is not usually reversible... BUT

    If the flywheel is keyed and not tapered, just remove and reverse it.[;)]

    (And that's why they pay me he big bucks.)[^]
    [/quote

    Flywheel is keyed and tapered--I owe you a buck[:)]
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    topdadtopdad Member Posts: 3,408 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    turning a fan around on the shaft will not change the
    direction it blows, only reversing the rotation will
    change the way it blows.
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    bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,664 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bojangies46
    006.jpg

    007.jpg

    Not a big deal I just thought you could switch a couple of wires--THANKS FOR THE HELP


    Hey cool, it says "MADE IN U.S.A." on the label, ya don't see that much these days. [V]
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    dongizmodongizmo Member Posts: 14,477 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Show me a pic of the open motor junction box...
    Dual voltage, cap start motor you probably need to exchange #5 & #6 motor leads....
    Don
    The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.
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    rcoanercoane Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I looked at your pics. It does not look like this motor has a capacitor. If it does not it is not reversible. If it does, you switch the wires after the capacitor. Open the pecker head on top of the motor it could be in there, but not likely.
    "plan b" if it has no capacitor. You should still be able to change rotation. Remove pulley, remove motor end caps, pull rotor out, stick it back in with with output shaft on other side. re-assemble.
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    AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,055 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Switching #8 and #5 is much easier. Ten minutes tops.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rcoane
    I looked at your pics. It does not look like this motor has a capacitor. If it does not it is not reversible. If it does, you switch the wires after the capacitor. Open the pecker head on top of the motor it could be in there, but not likely.
    "plan b" if it has no capacitor. You should still be able to change rotation. Remove pulley, remove motor end caps, pull rotor out, stick it back in with with output shaft on other side. re-assemble.


    001-1.jpg

    002-2.jpg

    003-1.jpg

    The wires are much better than they look
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    MVPMVP Member Posts: 25,074
    edited November -1
    Make a new offset mount and mount the moter in a mirror image of where it is now. That will turn the compressor the opposite direction.
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    Make a new offset mount and mount the moter in a mirror image of where it is now. That will turn the compressor the opposite direction.




    THANK YOU for the help[:D]
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    rcoanercoane Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bojangies46, switch the 2 tan wires. Looks plug and play. The capacitors could/should be charged. Do you have a volt meter?
    need to dischsrge before switching wires or you might have a shocking experiance[:p]
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    fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    If U turn the COMP. backward,it will suck out the tank..
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rcoane
    bojangies46, switch the 2 tan wires. Looks plug and play. The capacitors could/should be charged. Do you have a volt meter?
    need to dischsrge before switching wires or you might have a shocking experiance[:p]



    THANK YOU RCOANE--thats what I thought but me and electric stuff dont get along very good--I can rebuild a old car but when it comes to electric stuff I am dumb as a box of rocks--how do you discharge the capacitors --I dont have a volt meter but I can get one--THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP--BO[:)]
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    nordnord Member Posts: 6,106
    edited November -1
    Caps will be discharged if you cross positive and neutral.

    Want to be sure? Take an old screwdriver and short the caps one at a time. Obviously I'd use an insulated driver unless you're looking for a thrill.

    A charged cap will discharge with a nice spark and pop. That's it. Maybe a burned spot on the driver.
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    rcoanercoane Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nord
    Caps will be discharged if you cross positive and neutral.

    Want to be sure? Take an old screwdriver and short the caps one at a time. Obviously I'd use an insulated driver unless you're looking for a thrill.

    A charged cap will discharge with a nice spark and pop. That's it. Maybe a burned spot on the driver.


    Nords methed is a common way to discharge. It looks like it may be the best too. It looks like it a little tight in there and you might discharge by accident. If you could get a meter that can handle 240v, which would probly be a 600v, you would know if it is charged or not. Just try to touch were the spade and wire connects. That way if it wrecks something it should be a cheap fix. You may want to put on some gloves too. If the screw driver has a unseen crack your not going to like it. If you've done any welding this wont bother you a bit. If you get nailed, welcome to the club[}:)] Good luck.
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    mango tangomango tango Member Posts: 3,833 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Switch the wires inside the motor.
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    bojangies46bojangies46 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rcoane
    quote:Originally posted by nord
    Caps will be discharged if you cross positive and neutral.

    Want to be sure? Take an old screwdriver and short the caps one at a time. Obviously I'd use an insulated driver unless you're looking for a thrill.

    A charged cap will discharge with a nice spark and pop. That's it. Maybe a burned spot on the driver.


    Nords methed is a common way to discharge. It looks like it may be the best too. It looks like it a little tight in there and you might discharge by accident. If you could get a meter that can handle 240v, which would probly be a 600v, you would know if it is charged or not. Just try to touch were the spade and wire connects. That way if it wrecks something it should be a cheap fix. You may want to put on some gloves too. If the screw driver has a unseen crack your not going to like it. If you've done any welding this wont bother you a bit. If you get nailed, welcome to the club[}:)] Good luck.




    THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE HELP__DID WHAT YOU SAID AND IT IS UP AND RUNNING THE WAY IT SHOULD--THANKS AGAIN----BO
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