Thread: Scrapyard goody

I think It's what's known as a universal motor. They need a speed controller otherwise they will spin up to about 16,000 rpm. Speed controllers can be had on ebay pretty cheaply.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-220V-4...item35deec172f

I have a couple myself. One from our old washing machine and one from a workmate who knows I'm that was inclined, so gave it to me. I'm thinking of using one to make a tool post grinder since they happily run at high speed.

If you do intend to wire it up (with a speed controller) make sure you wire it correctly (and carefully) If you wire them up with no speed control (just to see if it works) they will bounce around if left unrestrained due to the high torque on startup.

Youtube has a few videos on the correct wiring.

CHeers,

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

I think It's what's known as a universal motor. They need a speed controller otherwise they will spin up to about 16,000 rpm. Speed controllers can be had on ebay pretty cheaply.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-220V-4...item35deec172f

I have a couple myself. One from our old washing machine and one from a workmate who knows I'm that was inclined, so gave it to me. I'm thinking of using one to make a tool post grinder since they happily run at high speed.

If you do intend to wire it up (with a speed controller) make sure you wire it correctly (and carefully) If you wire them up with no speed control (just to see if it works) they will bounce around if left unrestrained due to the high torque on startup.

Youtube has a few videos on the correct wiring.

CHeers,

Simon

Thanks Simon,
I think this motor is a little big for a tool post grinder for my little Myford.

But, yes it would be prudent to use some kind of controller, particularly if I wanted to run it on 240 V mains. I agree that this is a universal motor, it will run quite happily on AC or DC. I had the opportunity to try the motor on a pair of 12 volt car batteries in series this morning. Your right, it made one hell of a kick. I also found that it was almost impossible to stall the shaft. I'm going to try and get some manufacturers data for the motor.

I'll post when I find out more.

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That was a great find, lucky you.

Hi Guys,

Well I did find some information, it came as a data sheet as an Electrolux service bulletin. It seems that this motor and variants of it are fitted to a number of makes of washing machine. It also from other information seems to be rated at 1800 watts which gets close to 3 HP. I've attached the service bulletin for those who want to read it.

Originally Posted by BaronJ

it will run quite happily on AC or DC. I had the opportunity to try the motor on a pair of 12 volt car batteries in series this morning.

Well that's one thing I never knew! They run on DC too!

From what I have read , universal motors are very sensitive to loads , they slow down sharply in rpm as the load increases . In other words they are not ideal for maintaining a constant rpm under different loads
I have some of them salvaged from domestic sewing machines , the speed controller is usually a variable wire resisitor in series with the motor , they do like revving to high rpm's Mike

Not an electronics expert, but I think the system for controlling speed and torque on these motors is called Pulse Width Modulation, and you will find it controlling your battery drill and other DC powered tools, wheelchairs etc. Someone here will surely know where such controllers can be found, or how to modify a washing machine control board to produce fully variable speed control. All a bit beyond my expertise.
Combustor.

Here is a good link.

http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/new...ge=4&view=fitH

Originally Posted by simonl

Well that's one thing I never knew! They run on DC too!

Hi Simon,

You may recall the Sinclair C5, three wheel personal transport car. Well it used a modified Hoover washing machine motor and ran it from two 12 volt car batteries. What Hoover did was to make the armature with an extended shaft that directly drove the wheels. I would think that it would be quite feasible to make a go-cart using these washing machine motors.

Originally Posted by morrisman

From what I have read , universal motors are very sensitive to loads , they slow down sharply in rpm as the load increases . In other words they are not ideal for maintaining a constant rpm under different loads
I have some of them salvaged from domestic sewing machines , the speed controller is usually a variable wire resistor in series with the motor , they do like revving to high rpm's Mike

Hello Mike,

To a certain extent this is true, particularly of the variable resistor type speed control and thyristor phase control. The problem with universal motors is that without some form of limiting they will theoretically speed up indefinitely, and do reach very high rpm's. The limit is reached when the current causing the magnetic field can no longer increase or the armature sheds segments and destroys the motor. There are various other mechanisms that limit the maximum speed, like windage and friction.