635 replies to this topic

[karlfoxman]

RS components do some nice compact AC motors, i think there are 30 watt ones and higher. Dont use a DC motor that is not totally sealed.

[jellywerker]

That was my problem, I couldn't find one.

[karlfoxman]

That was my problem, I couldn't find one.

What a DC motor? AC is much safer as there are no SPARKY contacts when it wizzes around.

[Ritual33]

Tomorrow im going on a motor-hunt, I'll be going to washing machine repair places etc and to the recycling place and backstreets lol, I live in a crappy area so I'm sure I'll find one down a back ally somewhere, just wondering my dad seems to think a washing machine wont work because its designed to run both ways, is there any special motor I need to look out for? I can I just rip anyold one out? Does it need to be the main motor or the pump motor? Im confused :S

Drew

[RegimentalPyro]

You want an induction motor over one with brushes, as the brushes generate sparks when the motor runs which is, of course, a-bad-thing[tm].

Because you will be running it for long periods of time you want one which is continuously rated. That means that items such as electric window motors / drill motors are out, but windscreen wiper motors and washing machine motors are in. [Just because a motor CAN run in both directions doesn't mean that you have to wire it up so it WILL]

Consider your input power. Will you be running this thing off mains? a car battery. If you put 240v through something designed for 12v it will quickly fail.

Will this be running outdoors? If so you need a motor with some protection against weather. Look for an IP55 rating or similar.

If you're cannabalising other stuff then also look out for pulleys and belts as they are very useful at getting the speed down and the power up. Most motors run at a speed that is too high to be useful [1400 rpm] whereas you probably want something like 90rpm

I realise that this post will probably raise more answers than it answers. Keep thinking. Innovation and a degree of adaptability are key!

[Ritual33]

As i am aware, all washing machine motors are brush motors, so which motor inside a washing machine am i looking for?
i'm hunting tomorrow you see.

Drew

[fishy1]

the big one.

[Ritual33]

The one that is at the bottom of the washine machine bolted onto the frame? Thats a brush motor I'm sure, I'm making my ball mill into a wooden box with proper heat exhausts etc should be cool so I don't think it will matter if it sparks or not as the motor will be in a seperate compartment (directly under the rollers like a rock rumbler).

Anyways its 5am and I'm up and ready for the day (couldnt sleep) I might go out shortly and see if I can find one, I'm thinking the fault with most washing machines would be either the brushes are gone in the motor or something else, the motors are normally quite long lasting in them things.

Anyways wish me luck

Drew

[Frozentech]

The one that is at the bottom of the washine machine bolted onto the frame? Thats a brush motor I'm sure, I'm making my ball mill into a wooden box with proper heat exhausts etc should be cool so I don't think it will matter if it sparks or not as the motor will be in a seperate compartment (directly under the rollers like a rock rumbler).

Anyways its 5am and I'm up and ready for the day (couldnt sleep) I might go out shortly and see if I can find one, I'm thinking the fault with most washing machines would be either the brushes are gone in the motor or something else, the motors are normally quite long lasting in them things.

Anyways wish me luck

Drew

I've fixed a couple of wa washing machines, and both of them had the same problem, the motor was fine, but the clutch assembly was shot. Chances are pretty good that the motors work, I should think. Good luck !

[Ritual33]

Thanks
I'm guessing with the way I'm going to building my ball mill (inside a box with seperate compartment for motor) it won't really matter what type of motor I will be using (brushless etc) so I'm just going to go and hunt one down somewhere. I'm sure I'll find one being chucked out somewhere, just wondering which motor to take out, I'm fairly certain that washing machines have 2 motors, one main one and one for the pump, usually I think th main motor is situated at the bottom of the washing machine and is fairly easy to remove.

I'll be going for the main one as I havn't heard anything about using the smaller motor.

Drew

[Ritual33]

After walking around for about 20 minutes, I found a new-ish tumble dryer in someones back garden, I knocked on the door but I don't think there in so I'll go back round later on tonight.
Does anybody know anything about tumble dryer motors?
I'm guessing they have a lower RPM, which hopefully will be best suited for a ball mill.
Also when I get the motor what will I have to do to it to make it plug into the mains? Is it just a matter of fixing a lead onto it with a plug?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Drew

[karlfoxman]

After walking around for about 20 minutes, I found a new-ish tumble dryer in someones back garden, I knocked on the door but I don't think there in so I'll go back round later on tonight.
Does anybody know anything about tumble dryer motors?
I'm guessing they have a lower RPM, which hopefully will be best suited for a ball mill.
Also when I get the motor what will I have to do to it to make it plug into the mains? Is it just a matter of fixing a lead onto it with a plug?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Drew

I have a washing machine motor at home and from what i remember it had quite a few connections, you will need to post a pic so we can see how many connections it has. I will also help if you got a multi meter so you can measure the windings.

[Ritual33]

:S sounds tricky, I'll take a pic anyways with my crappy 7600 camera.

[richard2]

I am about to buy some rubber rollers from ebay see:

http://cgi.ebay.co.u..._Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT

I was going to purchase 2 and this costs around ?20, the cost for 10 is around ?70 so if anyone would like a couple at cost price plus postage let me know. If enough are interested i.e rid of 6 rollers then I will buy 10.

Cheers

Rich

Edited by richard2, 16 December 2005 - 01:36 AM.

[Ritual33]

i see 10 for ?16.91 :|