View Full Version : Wiring old electric appliance motor for 115V
pwd77
Feb 19, 2017, 10:22 AM
I have an old motor I would like to hook up to household 115 AC.
After doing some research and looking at the inside of the unit, it appears that it is wired incorrectly for either 115V or 230V:
#2 is not being used (=> 230V)
brown is still connected (=> 115)
in addition, black and red are switched, which indicates a reversal in rotation direction.
Can anyone clarify what needs to be done to safely use this?
Thank you!
Stratmando
Feb 20, 2017, 08:00 AM
Photo shows red and Black reversed, Swap if motor runs wrong direction, Hook Line to #1, and Neutral to # 4. A good place for Motor wiring and diagrams is Gemremotes.com
Then select "Wiring Diagrams", Very Helpful. Good Luck
Looks Like you accidentally wrote 4 instead of 1 and 1 instead of 4.
Photo shows 1 at the Top. You wrote 4 at the top?
No matter Neutral/white at the bottom, and hot at the top.
Good Luck
ebaines
Feb 20, 2017, 08:08 AM
Please confirm that your diagram has the correct numbering for the terminals. It appears that you may have reversed terminals 1 and 4 - the instruction diagram indicates that that terminal 4 is in the lower right, but you labeled that terminal 1 in your photo.
Assuming that this was an error, you need to either move the red to number 2 (which will give reversed rotation), or move the red to number 5 and the black to number 2. Then connect line hot and neutral as stratmando suggests.
pwd77
Feb 20, 2017, 08:55 AM
Thanks
The numbering in my pic is correct; the only one visible in the photo is "2"
Also the numbering matches the diagram orientation
I re-configured based on "low voltage" diagram, connected a cord with hot to #4 Line and neutral to #1 Line (with white wire) and it started up fine.
So my only remaining question is whether it matters hot to 5 or 1, as they are not labelled L1 or L2.
(The motor does not care, it being AC, but perhaps the case will ground properly one way or the other?)
I always connect white to white and black to black, but perhaps convention is different with motors..
ebaines
Feb 20, 2017, 09:05 AM
You are correct that electrically it doesn't matter if hot and neutral are reversed, and the fact that the diagram doesn't differentiate between hot and neutral (calling them both "line") means that it's probably not an issue. But it bothers me that the terminal orientation in the diagram doesn't agree with how the terminals are actually numbered on the motor, with terminals 1 and 4 reversed. Are you sure that diagram is specifically for this motor? Also, is there a ground terminal somewhere on this motor?
pwd77
Feb 20, 2017, 10:24 AM
Thanks again
Sorry for any confusion; the connections really do match the diagram; I already fixed one error in my last message, and hope that was it.
I will look for the ground, it was not obvious, but should be there.
I really appreciate your input and having a sounding-board for this.
pwd77
Feb 20, 2017, 10:29 AM
I double checked the pics and you are correct, they do not match. So now I am a bit bothered.
(not sure how I overlooked that, I was focusing on the wires)
The numbers are clearly stamped on the motor, so I am working under the assumption that the diagram is wrong. Given the information at hand it makes more sense order-wise on the motor than the diagram.
Stratmando
Feb 20, 2017, 01:12 PM
Those numbers do not look like they are on the Motor, Looks like they are on top of the picture.
For 120 volts, Hot to the top, Neutral to the bottom(with the white)L1 and L2.
For 240 Volts 2 Hots to L1 and L2. Move white wire to terminal 3.
When wired for 120 volts, Swapping the Line wiring OR the red and Black will reverse direction.
If you swap 120 volt Line wiring AND red and black, Motor direction will NOT change.
Stratmando
Feb 21, 2017, 08:51 AM
I had a Link to a site that had Diagrams for Reversing or many Motors.
Not sure if it was removed because it appeared I was Promoting someone/something.
It appears it was removed. Or I didn't post it.
I Do Not Sell or Promote Anyone or Companies, Just places I have found that work well when troubleshooting. Will provide the Link if someone says its allowed?
Good Luck
pwd77
Feb 21, 2017, 10:39 AM
I would like to have that link, maybe you can disguise it; instead of the whole link, just something like "advertisement dot com"
At some point I will take a better picture of the actual wiring connectors with the stamped labels, just for closure and for someone who may stumble across this thread in the future.
Stratmando
Feb 22, 2017, 06:38 AM
The left diagram IS what you want to use, You are right, not wired correctly for either.
Your left diagram is better than you might find at the site I mention at the top of the page, Then click diagrams, 1 motor.
Keep us updated, Thanks
pwd77
Feb 22, 2017, 07:53 AM
I appreciate you following up on this.
I hooked it up based on the diagram*, and it works fine!
*Since the labeling connector numbers of the diagram and stamped on the motor were different (1 and 4 swapped) I guessed that the motor was correct and left the white wire connected to the bottom right (1 on the diagram, 4 on the motor).
I will post pics of (a) my present connections and (b) the numbers on the motor, for future reference.
Stratmando
Feb 23, 2017, 06:38 AM
Photo of Motor shows Nothing on #2? For 120 it should have a black or red.
Good you got it. #5 should have red or black. Did it run correct rotation first try?
pwd77
Feb 23, 2017, 10:17 AM
That is the original connections
I have not yet posted the corrected ones
Not sure what the rotation direction should be ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Stratmando
Feb 24, 2017, 07:11 AM
What are you going to use it for? If you want to be able to reverse directions, like a davit or lift, I can help?
pwd77
Feb 24, 2017, 07:47 AM
Thanks,
I am going to attempt to motorize a rolling compost barrel. The direction does not matter really.
I already have plans to step down the rpms from 1725 to about 10 with a series of pulleys. Getting the motor running was phase 1, now its time for the pulleys