Electric rototiller conversion - Page 2

mechanic · 08-19-14, 10:40 PM

Ya behind. it's a belt, the tensioner is the clutch

jeff5may · 08-31-14, 08:54 AM

Is that a bench grinder motor that you used? I have seen people rig them up to roto-tillers and lawnmowers before. My one buddy left a grinding wheel on the other end to act as a flywheel, it worked awesome.

Another smallish motor that works well is that from an old electric edger, like this:

B&D Edge Hog (brute force torque monster)

These are common garage sale finds, people buy them and use them once or twice. After a few years, she who must be listened to says it's got to go. Once you take the guard off, there is enough room to rig up a method to drive nearly anything with pulleys or gears.

mechanic · 09-02-14, 08:10 AM

Not sure what this motor came from but it's a little low on torque. It's a 3/4 hp and 3500 rpm. It have a larger one that is 3/4hp and 1800 rpm from a grain bin aeration fan that I'm going to swap on and try

Ryland · 09-02-14, 02:25 PM

Any chance of using a 240v motor?

You'd have less line loss and 3hp 240v motors are somewhat common.

mechanic · 09-02-14, 02:37 PM

This motor actually says 120 or 240 but I haven't looked into what you have to change to run it on 240

jeff5may · 09-02-14, 11:16 PM

Usually you can rewire them by opening the case or cover where the wires run in. If you're really lucky, the frame will have a diagram on it. Also, electric motors are rated different than gas motors in HP. Usually a gas motor is overrated compared to an electric. For most applications, you can substitute a much smaller electric motor.

Ryland · 09-03-14, 01:31 AM

Motors often have a continues and a peek hp, gas engines are rated in peek hp.
Motors almost never list their peek hp as their rated hp.

If you can, wire that motor for 240v, even if you use the same 12 gauge cord, you will be producing less heat in the cord and having the voltage drop less, allowing the motor to do more work per watt pulled from the wall.

mechanic · 09-03-14, 11:21 PM

So if I re-wire the motor for 220 is it still producing the same hp just more efficient?

philb · 09-05-14, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechanic

So if I re-wire the motor for 220 is it still producing the same hp just more efficient?

The air compressor that I rewired had more starting torque at 240 VAC than it did at 120 VAC. I don't think it would be anymore efficient unless you are nearing locked rotor amps from burdening the motor down on 120 volts.

mechanic · 09-06-14, 09:16 AM

It is underpowered on 120. I'm just not sure if I should switch it over to the 1800 rpm motor right away or retry the 3400rpm one on 240. The 1800 rpm one does have the wiring diagram on it so maybe it would be worth the swap...

09-02-14, 11:16 PM	#16
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Usually you can rewire them by opening the case or cover where the wires run in. If you're really lucky, the frame will have a diagram on it. Also, electric motors are rated different than gas motors in HP. Usually a gas motor is overrated compared to an electric. For most applications, you can substitute a much smaller electric motor. Last edited by jeff5may; 09-02-14 at 11:19 PM..

08-19-14, 10:40 PM	#11
mechanic Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 117 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Ya behind. it's a belt, the tensioner is the clutch

08-31-14, 08:54 AM	#12
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	Is that a bench grinder motor that you used? I have seen people rig them up to roto-tillers and lawnmowers before. My one buddy left a grinding wheel on the other end to act as a flywheel, it worked awesome. Another smallish motor that works well is that from an old electric edger, like this: B&D Edge Hog (brute force torque monster) These are common garage sale finds, people buy them and use them once or twice. After a few years, she who must be listened to says it's got to go. Once you take the guard off, there is enough room to rig up a method to drive nearly anything with pulleys or gears.

09-02-14, 08:10 AM	#13
mechanic Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 117 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Not sure what this motor came from but it's a little low on torque. It's a 3/4 hp and 3500 rpm. It have a larger one that is 3/4hp and 1800 rpm from a grain bin aeration fan that I'm going to swap on and try

09-02-14, 02:25 PM	#14
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	Any chance of using a 240v motor? You'd have less line loss and 3hp 240v motors are somewhat common.

09-02-14, 02:37 PM	#15
mechanic Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 117 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	This motor actually says 120 or 240 but I haven't looked into what you have to change to run it on 240

09-03-14, 01:31 AM	#17
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	Motors often have a continues and a peek hp, gas engines are rated in peek hp. Motors almost never list their peek hp as their rated hp. If you can, wire that motor for 240v, even if you use the same 12 gauge cord, you will be producing less heat in the cord and having the voltage drop less, allowing the motor to do more work per watt pulled from the wall.

09-03-14, 11:21 PM	#18
mechanic Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 117 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	So if I re-wire the motor for 220 is it still producing the same hp just more efficient?

09-06-14, 09:16 AM	#20
mechanic Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 117 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	It is underpowered on 120. I'm just not sure if I should switch it over to the 1800 rpm motor right away or retry the 3400rpm one on 240. The 1800 rpm one does have the wiring diagram on it so maybe it would be worth the swap...