Tim Wescott wrote:
Tom Gardner wrote:

This dog won't stay petted!!! I have an application that unspools
wire with a dancer operated switch controlling a @35 RPM 1/15 HP ac
gearmotor belt driving a roller that a wooden spool fits on. I know I
have to use "Shaded Pole" or "Permanent Split Capacitor" motors as a
cap start motor will burn-up in a day due to the constant on/off
switching. I have three of these de-spoolers and need to make six
more. These gearmotors are about $250 ea and I have to replace at
least two a year now. Any suggestions an a better solution? Anybody
got any gearmotors they want to sell? I keep an eye on ebay and
surplusscenter.

Consider using a DC motor. If you want to use a switch then the brute
force method is to use supply with some overhead and a great big
resistor to limit current to the motor. If you want to get fancy then
use a potentiometer on the dancer along with a PLC or other motion
controller (and get ready to learn about control theory, PID tuning, and
a bunch of other stuff, oh boy).


Hmm.. feeding wire.. How about a plain ol' mig wirefeeder with a
rheostat hooked to the dancer? Feeders can be had pretty cheap, used, or
at least that's my experience, and they sure last a long time.

John