Thread: source for second hand AC electric motors?

Hi Com VC,
I think they may still be there, Northern Machinery, Plenty Rd. Preston.
I hope I have got that right, as it is a long time since I last visited them.
There must be heaps of places, for Motors.
That's my 2sence worth.

Also try the scrap metal yards, they often have heaps of them. You can do a sniff test, to see that they smell O.K. and not burned out, and take a multimeter or better still a megger, and check continuity of windings, and also any leakage to earth. You will have to check that they are 415v in star (or sometimes called Y, which will make them 240v in Delta, as long as the star point is accessible. (That info is on the Spec name plate, or sometimes inside the cover on the connection box.) You will most likely find that they will accept it back, if there are problems with it which you or your electrician subsequently discover. Bearings are usually O.K. – you will get an idea just turning it over by hand, but worst case 2 new bearings will be $30 or so.
If the one you get is not totally enclosed, you should check for wasp nests etc, before turning it on, but most 3 phase motors would be of T.E.F.C. (totally enclosed, fan cooled) construction I think.
Rob.

That is a big motor for a drill press, 3hp?

Thanks will keep a look out.

The original motor on the drill press is 2HP and it's geared head. I figure the extra HP won't hurt, I will be running it through a VFD.

hi

Yes the scrap yards are worth a try. But, be aware that they chuck the motors in a bin, usually outside in the rain. After a few days in this weather the motors are full of water and cactus .

As for taking the motors to be checked out. I took the old motor I have in to the local motor specilaist to be checked over , I dont think they did anything ... The only words I got out of them was " Its burnt out " this is crap because the windings show no evidence of overheating , and the resistance readings are OK . The guy who looked at it was about 18 years old.

Mike

It's definitely handy to have a tame electrician to consult.

Regards
Paul

I've seen a few come up at Grays online auctions.
TM

At least with winter here the rain is greatly reduced. I do salvage a few motors from the local scrap metal dealer, having a megger or a friendly electrician/ trustworthy motor rewinder is a must. It's possible to buy off brand meggers for as little as $80 if you shop around a bit and they do come in very handy ...not to mention being effectively paid for after the second cheap salvaged motor you get.

Originally Posted by morrisman

hi

The guy who looked at it was about 18 years old.

Mike

It's not his fault, he was born into the throw away age group.
I see my 90 year old grandfather still trying to fix a $15 heater (or whatever) because thats what you used to do, and he is still on that track.
I am 3/4 fix it and 1/4 throw away, but we cant get him out of it, and some things are just better to buy new for the price of fixing them.

It's still not good service, as you expect them to at least have a look.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

It's not his fault, he was born into the throw away age group.
I see my 90 year old grandfather still trying to fix a $15 heater (or whatever) because thats what you used to do. and he is still on that track.
I am 3/4 fix it and 1/4 throw away, but we cant get him out of it and some things are just better to go and buy a new one for the price of fixing them.

It's still not good service as you expect them to at least have a look.

Dave

I've never had any luck with outside 'repair' business'. I don't trust any of them . This recent experience has reinforced my thinking. I try to fix stuff myself , always . Years ago, I took a pair of Dodge truck rims to a tyre place, to remove the old tyres . The rims were a rare 16" 5 stud type from a 1941 4X4 army truck , split variety , with the locking ring . Well, an idiot at this tyre place got hold of a huge sledge hammer and began belting the rims like nothing else . I was shocked and the rims never ran true again, this moron ruined them .

Go to a local engineering business and its a massive fee just to set up the machinery, even before thay have done any machining they charge you $200 .

I feel for women who go to mechanics and get ripped off . The" black pressure pack spray can" mechanic .They paint bits black and say its new , been replaced Some Tv shows have done the sneaky hidden camera thing and caught out unscrupulous mechanics .

MIKE

Hi

this may be of some interest to you

if you get it cheap enough, the courier cost would be worth it

3 Phase Electric Motor ASEA Made in Australia! 2.2 Kw 1420 RPM Three Phase | eBay

415v though. I've seen plenty come up in that voltage but I have been dismissing them as I thought it would be too much work to rewire to suit 240V?

Originally Posted by Com_VC

415v though. I've seen plenty come up in that voltage but I have been dismissing them as I thought it would be too much work to rewire to suit 240V?

I know it's confusing. From what Ray wrote, in Delta mode ( which that motor is according to the data plate ) 240V is OK as a source . It is 415V in star mode . The impedances are the same ..........

The new motors from Royce Cross are marked: 240 Delta and 415 Star Mike

I will post the details on the saw motor soon, maybe I wont even need to replace it and it will work off the vfd. Fingers crossed.