Electric motor question

[gordons]

May not be the right forum for this question, but having just read through the 220v vs 110 v revisited thread below, I figure it's a good place to start.

I inherited a piece of equipment from a country where 220v 50Hz is the standard. The fan details are shown in the attached pictures. I figured that if I plugged this into 110v it would just run slower and since there is no timer involved, doesn't matter if it's 50Hz or 60Hz. I am also not too fussed if it rotates at slower rpm.

Here's the rub. Connected to 110v, the fan doesn't turn at all - nothing, nada, zilch, dead. Connected to my 220v compressor outlet, it fires up and runs great.

How best (and cheapest) could I get this to run off 110v?

1. Buy a step up/down transformer (may be expensive)
2. Toss it and look for a fan of similar size with 110v (not too easy)
3. Send the equipment back and say thanks, but no thanks (I really want to keep it)
4. Run a loooong 220v line into the house just to power this fan (LOML won't go for this)
or
5. Send the motor to Loring and have him rewind it in that have everything workshop of his (Hmmmm......)

Maybe I should have set up a poll for this one.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks and Happy Holidays to all.

Gordon






In case you can't read the specs on the photo above:
220V
50Hz
1300 r/min
0.30A
P2 10W
P1 45W

[vaking]

The motor does not run at 110 simply because 110 does not provide enough power for it. 50 Hz or 60 Hz is not critical - as you already tested the motor works fine at 220V 60Hz. For a small motor like this a step-up transformer should be an easy solution. 220V x 0.3A = 66W - You need a transformer that can handle less than 100W of power - should not be hard to find. I see some on the Internet starting at $10 (shipping will be more).
I am not sure why specification says P1 and P2 - sounds to me that the motor has 2 separate circuits/windings inside and manufacturer provided separate values for power in each circuit. Total output would be 45W + 10 W = 55W which is in line with 66W power consumed from the outlet. I am not sure of the motor construction - if this is universal motor - 60 Hz vs 50 Hz will make no difference at all. If the motor is induction - increase in frequency may make motor run a little faster than the face plate specifies. Extrapolating the numbers 1300x60/50=1560 rpm. However, I doubt it is induction motor. 1300 rpm at 50 Hz would mean that the difference between synchronous and asynchronous speed is over 13% - unusually high.
and BTW - welcome to the forum.

[LCHIEN]

it won't run because its a 220V motor and youre trying to run on 110. If it was all the same they wouldn't give them different numbers.
Its a low power motor, draws way less than an amp. You should be able to buy a step up transformer pretty cheaply, for under 100Watt power.

heres one for under $30 incl shipping
http://www.voltage-converter-transfo...ansformer.html
lots more google step up transformer or 110/220

another starting at $9 (before shipping)
http://www.220-electronics.com/trans...wowaytrans.htm

you can probably find step up transformers elsewhere, need one rated 100W.
Try Radio shack, luggage stores, large electronics stores, "international" stores located in ethnic areas of town, etc.
There one near me called "international Electronics" that sells small 220V appliances to people going overseas and all kinds of voltage and plug adapters.

[woodturner]

50 Hz or 60 Hz is not critical

It may or may not be critical, we don't have enough information to tell. Some types of motors will overheat if they are run at a different frequency.

Given that this is a small, standard size motor, I would suggest spending the $20 at Grainger to replace it with a motor designed for 110 VAC 60 Hz.

[master53yoda]

the motor appears to a be a shaded pole motor. They have very low starting torgue, have only 2 wires run to them and don't have a start winding so they do not click on start-up, Most are impedance protected so they won't burn up.

the RPM is controlled by the frequency so this motor will run about 20% faster on 60Hz which shouldn't be a problem.

if run on 110 it will only deliver about 40%of the rated HP and probably won't move the air that is needed.

you could run it on a transformer if you bought one with multi tap 110,208,240 V the wattage on the transfomer would need to be at least 50va. it could be used as a auto-transformer. with the 110 connected to the common and the 110 volt lead and the motoer connected to the common and the 208 volt lead. the transfomer shouldn't cost more then $25.00 and most HVAC companies will have them. they would be a considered control transformer by the HVAC people.... if you do this be sure to individually wire nut each unused lead as they are all hot to each other.

[gordons]

Thanks for all the most valuable and interesting replies. I took a look at motors from Grainger, but didn't dig deep enough to find one comparable with dimensions that would fit in the space provided. So have decided to order a step-up transformer with 200W capacity which is only a bit more than a 100W. Since it's not exactly mission critical, a 20% difference in speed won't have an impact on the end result. Thanks again.

Gordon