Hi all
I'm looking to use a 2nd-hand washing machine motor to power some lapidary
equipment.
The last time I did this (quite a few years (decades!) ago) ISTR that the motor
we used had very simple connections - as in LN & E.

While fixing the pump motor on our current washing machine the other day, I
noticed that the main motor on this one has what looks like 4 wires going into
the motor - and an outboard capacitor (or 2) - possibly motor start caps ??

Our local scrapyard is just up the road in the next village - but I just wanted
to check with the group on the following points :-

a) What's the usual connection arrangement for washing machine motors nowadays
- if the additional cables are for alternative speeds then all I need is
1750rpm

b) When disembowelling a washing machine to get at the motor, how much of the
'peripheral' bits do I need to collect in order to ensure a working setup.

I realise that the precise details may vary between manufacturers and models -
but generic advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Adrian
Suffolk UK

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 16:08:46 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

I'm looking to use a 2nd-hand washing machine motor to power some lapidary
equipment.

I'd avoid it. Washing machine motros are weird and uncased
(cost-cutting and the need for multi-speed reversibility). You can
find much simpler motors to use.

HI Andy

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 16:08:46 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

I'm looking to use a 2nd-hand washing machine motor to power some lapidary
equipment.

I'd avoid it. Washing machine motros are weird and uncased
(cost-cutting and the need for multi-speed reversibility). You can
find much simpler motors to use.

Thanks for the comment.
Any idea 'where' I could find these 'simpler' motors ?

Thanks
Adrian
Suffolk UK

Hi Peter

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 16:08:46 +0100, Adrian
wrote:


a) What's the usual connection arrangement for washing machine motors nowadays
- if the additional cables are for alternative speeds then all I need is
1750rpm

With the most common Hotpoint and Hoover motors then without any
control gear you will get nearer 17,000 off load before the motor
leaves this plane of existence!

Aha - so the technology _has_ moved on... thought it might have!


b) When disembowelling a washing machine to get at the motor, how much of the
'peripheral' bits do I need to collect in order to ensure a working setup.

Motor, capacitor (don't mix up with noise filter) and control board
preferably with socket.

Sounds less than straightforward...
Funny - all the references on the web seem to refer to 'second-hand washing
machine motors' as though they're simple to use....


I realise that the precise details may vary between manufacturers and models -
but generic advice would be appreciated.

There are two good books on the subject, "Electric Motors in the Home
Workshop" ISBN 1-85486-133-6 and "Electric Motors" ISBN
0-85242-914-2"

A recent article in Model Engineering Workshop also covered the
subject of Hotpoint and Hoover motors.

OK - thanks - I'll see if I can find copies of those books in the Library.

Many thanks
Adrian
Suffolk UK

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 23:06:29 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

Any idea 'where' I could find these 'simpler' motors ?

An industrial scrapyard. Old factory machinery has load of motors, and
you can often find variable speed stuff. It's also more likely to have
been made and sold as "a motor", rather than only ever being intended
for one specialised use.

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 23:06:29 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

Funny - all the references on the web seem to refer to 'second-hand washing
machine motors' as though they're simple to use....

If they are American sites they will - most American washing machines
are rather large, crude, toploaders driven by induction motors -
which are the 1400 RPM devices you were thinking of with no control
gear.

--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

HI Andy

Thanks - good thinking......
it's just possible that my 'local' scrappie might have something -
now I know what to look for !

Thanks for the guidance

Adrian
Suffolk UK

HI Peter

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 23:06:29 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

Funny - all the references on the web seem to refer to 'second-hand washing
machine motors' as though they're simple to use....

If they are American sites they will - most American washing machines
are rather large, crude, toploaders driven by induction motors -
which are the 1400 RPM devices you were thinking of with no control
gear.

OK - that makes sense!
So the control gear is for speed regulation ..?
I've reserved the two books that you mentioned from the Library - thanks for
the 'lead'...

Would the controllers lend themselves to creating a setup with _variable_ speed
- or do they just do 'fast and slow' ?

Thanks
Adrian
Suffolk UK

In article ,
Adrian writes:

OK - that makes sense!
So the control gear is for speed regulation ..?
I've reserved the two books that you mentioned from the Library - thanks for
the 'lead'...

Would the controllers lend themselves to creating a setup with _variable_ speed
- or do they just do 'fast and slow' ?

I think most washing machines in last 20 years would have more
control than 'fast and slow'. Microprocessor driven ones will
have a tachometer and variable power input to achieve a desired
speed. However, some of the speeds may use different windings -
mine has a separate set of field windings for, I think, only the
top spin speed (1400RPM at the drum, very much more at the motor).
I had a wire break supplying the standard field winding, but the
top spin speed still worked OK.

--
Andrew Gabriel

On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 12:24:24 +0100, Adrian
wrote:

So the control gear is for speed regulation ..?
I've reserved the two books that you mentioned from the Library - thanks for
the 'lead'...

Try the "motors" section here
http://www.owwm.com/FAQ/Default.asp


A particularly useful explanation of single - three phase conversion,
for those with big machine tools to drive.

Hi Peter

Would the controllers lend themselves to creating a setup with _variable_ speed
- or do they just do 'fast and slow' ?

Totally variable from full speed to very slow - you just need the
original controller boards plus a switch and potentiometer. A couple
of articles in a recent Model Engineering Workshop magazine
explained it all. I made PDF copies for someone in Turkey looking to
do something similar so I can e-mail them if you like. The motors
will, at any speed, not be as quiet as an induction motor although at
low speed they are certainly not noisy.

Oh yes please! - I'd like to see the pdf's.
Noise isn't a major consideration, it's not like a 'tumbler' motor that'll be
running unattended for long periods of time.

Whilst I appreciate that the washing-machine motor may be the 'long way round' - I
guess there's likely to be a lot more of this type 'available' than there will be
'proper' motors.

I guess the scrapyard option is a bit of a lottery as to which machines were
scrapped because of defective motors g... or do they generally 'die' for other
reasons ?

Thanks again
Adrian
Suffolk UK

If the load you intend is not to large why not try tumble dryer motors they
run at a constant speed and some reverse so you can get the right direction
you need I think they are cap start induction motors!!!!! If you want a
washing machine try philco they had some massive induction motors on them
two sets of windings wash which could go in either direction and spin which
was faster.

Rich
"Adrian" wrote in message
...
Hi all
I'm looking to use a 2nd-hand washing machine motor to power some lapidary
equipment.
The last time I did this (quite a few years (decades!) ago) ISTR that the
motor
we used had very simple connections - as in LN & E.

While fixing the pump motor on our current washing machine the other day,
I
noticed that the main motor on this one has what looks like 4 wires going
into
the motor - and an outboard capacitor (or 2) - possibly motor start caps
??

Our local scrapyard is just up the road in the next village - but I just
wanted
to check with the group on the following points :-

a) What's the usual connection arrangement for washing machine motors
nowadays
- if the additional cables are for alternative speeds then all I need is
1750rpm

b) When disembowelling a washing machine to get at the motor, how much of
the
'peripheral' bits do I need to collect in order to ensure a working setup.

I realise that the precise details may vary between manufacturers and
models -
but generic advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Adrian
Suffolk UK

Hi Rich

If the load you intend is not to large why not try tumble dryer motors they
run at a constant speed and some reverse so you can get the right direction
you need I think they are cap start induction motors!!!!! If you want a
washing machine try philco they had some massive induction motors on them
two sets of windings wash which could go in either direction and spin which
was faster.


Now that's a thought..... tumble-dryers.
The power required for my little setup is not enormous - about the same as the
average bench-grinder, I'd imagine. In fact - that was another possible route -
I've seen such a setup powered by a cheapie bench-grinder with the wheels
removed and a pulley put in their place.

Another alternative is a friend of mine who has 'sheds' like you wouldn't
believe..... and thinks he has a couple of motors 'kicking around' - so I'll
pursue that possibility first.

Thanks for the suggestion though..

Adrian
Suffolk UK