Thread: Reversable electrical motor???

What you have there is an induction motor with a starting problem.

The most probable cause is a dodgy start cap or dodgy on speed contacts.

Most induction morors will run either way if they are rewired so they start in the desired direction.

there are several types, some of them the start windings are energised all the time others the start windings drop out when up to speed.

cheers

In general, (picky buggers, pls note that) single phase 240V AC electric motors have a start & a run winding.
The start winding is slightly out of phase to your run winding, this makes the motor start & run in the same direction evey time.

The start winding could be coupled by a capacitor or a speed switch or both.

The situation you have is happening because your start winding is not working.

This could be due to the winding going open circuit, the capacitor failing or the speed switch jamming.

I'd put money on the capacitor. (if it has one)

If it has been sitting in the shed unused, the start winding is unlikely to have gone open circuit & if the speed switch had stuck, it should have stuck in the stopped state ready for the next time you turned it on.

And you could use it as a reversible motor by reversing the ends of the start winding through a switch.
Not going is most likely the capacitor

Thanks for the replies. Had another look at it this morning (was gonig to play with a stick of jacaranda ) and couldnt get it to spin start.
had a look in the junk pile (nearly the whole backyard, cleaning out the sheds) and found another electric motor that seems to work ok, will have to rig up how to attach this one, as it spins the other way