[Shop-talk] Single Phase motors

[Jack Brooks]

Background:

My son and I built a tumbler using a single phase motor from a furnace.  It
has a starting capacitor and will start the tumbler with a fully loaded 20
pound barrel in the same direction every time it starts.  What I didn't
realize at the time we build this heavy duty tumbler was that that motor
didn't have an internal fan.  In the furnace the fan motor is in airflow and
doesn't need an internal cooling fan.   I've always had to put a fan on it
whenever it ran to keep the motor cool.  The tumbler runs for weeks or
months at a time and I am tired of the breeze that the fan creates in my
workshop.   

 

Issue/question:

I just came into another motor that has an internal fan (a lot less
localized wind) but it does not use a starting capacitor.  This one does not
always start on its own and will start in either direction.  I am 99% sure
this is normal for a non-capacitor start motor.  My wife will occasional
turn the tumbler off when she is expecting clients into her home office, as
while it's not intrusive, you can hear the rocks tumbling it in the
background in her office.  Is it possible to retrofit a capacitor so it'll
start on its own consistently and always in the same direction?  That way
when she shuts it down and restarts it, it'll always start and turn in the
correct direction.  Yes, typically direction is not an issue, but we tumble
some stuff with custom built barrels where it is important.  

 

It is my understanding that the phasing of the capacitor to the motor drives
the motor's direction.  I can work with it starting on either direction
(flip the barrel end for end reversing the direction), but it needs to be
consistent.  

 

The motor in question is a "Westinghouse S# 316P 824".  I can provide more
motor details if it's beneficial. I am concerned that the motor cannot
accept a capacitor as it is probably not equipped to switch from start to
run mode.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Jack, mechanical, not electrical, enginerd

 

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