Need Recommendations For An Electric Motor

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting an electric motor suitable for running on standard household AC power, with a focus on variable speed control and minimal torque requirements. Participants explore different motor types, their operational characteristics, and practical considerations for the user's specific needs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether the motor should be DC or AC.
  • One suggestion is to use a ceiling fan motor with a rheostat for smooth speed control, although concerns about size and availability are noted.
  • Another participant proposes using a DC motor with a speed controller powered by an AC to DC adapter, highlighting the availability of hobby motors.
  • There is a suggestion that a stepper motor may be necessary for precise control at low RPMs, along with the mention of switching power controllers for consistent operation.
  • One participant shares a link to a resource for electric motors but notes uncertainty about low-end RPM specifications.
  • The original poster clarifies their need for a motor that can handle manual power fluctuations without burning out, estimating a size around 1/4 hp.
  • Concerns are raised about the orientation of ceiling fan motors, with one participant confirming they can operate at any angle, while also discussing the implications of using single-phase versus three-phase power.
  • There is a correction regarding the maximum RPM of Dremel tools, with a participant stating they can exceed 30,000 RPM.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the best type of motor for the user's needs, and the discussion remains unresolved with no consensus reached on a specific recommendation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors such as the operational angle of ceiling fan motors, the implications of using different power phases, and the potential for motor burnout, but these points remain open for further exploration without definitive conclusions.

GarageTinker
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
I need to select an electric motor. There is little to no torque involved so that's not really a factor, but it has to be able to run off of standard house-hold power and as a main parameter have as wide of a range as possible of flexibility in variable speed control, preferably from 0 rpm to as high as possible. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Is the motor DC or AC?
 
The upper rpm range may not be as fast as you want, but a ceiling-fan motor with an 120V AC rheostat can go pretty slow and you can ramp up the speed pretty smoothly. Of course many of those motors are bulky, but you might be able to pick one up for free if your local landfill/transfer/recycling station sets "interesting" stuff aside for the patrons to look over. The town saves on landfill costs, and the tinkerers get free stuff.
 
Last edited:
what said:
Is the motor DC or AC?
what, the motor will be run on standard AC residential household power.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Sorry, I dropped a 0. I meant 120V AC - just the standard vanilla ceiling fan. I edited that.
 
Why not use a DC motor and speed controller powered by an AC to DC adapter? There are many hobby motors for model airplanes and cars.
 
I agree with Digoff on this. You can get DC motors for free just by scavenging scrapped VCR's, electric toothbrushes, etc.. Just match a power supply and you're set.
 
If accurately controlled zero or near zero rpm is a requirement then you may need to use a stepper motor.

Alternatively a switching power controller, such as found in variable speed drills (120 AC or DC portable variants), will provide much more consistent operation at low rpm.

Edit: Something like a Dremel tool will go from near 0 to > 10k rpm.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
hi,
what do you want to know about AC or DC motor ?
BR,
 
  • #11
Hi Everyone,
I apologize for not getting back sooner, corporate life has a habit of getting in the way sometimes. Thank you very much for all of the feedback; I really appreciate the ideas you've given me as I hadn't thought down some of those lines before. To answer a couple of the questions, I'm needing an electric motor that can run on standard household AC power (110V-115V) as I have a mechanical hand-dial type inline reostat that plugs into an outlet and the motor would plug into that. The reostat is capable of adjustments in 3%+/- increments from no power up to full power. At least that was the way it was explained to me. My primary purpose behind my OP is to find the right kind of AC motor to handle that kind of manual power fluctuation and not burn out too soon. I'm guesstimating that a small motor around the size of 1/4 hp would be big enough, though I can certainly go larger if recommended by people who know better than me. I probably also should have asked about the versatility of Single-phase vs. 3-phase as well.

At any rate, I really like the idea of using a ceiling fan motor, but what concerns me there is that I need to mount the motor horizontally and for some reason I've always thought they were made to only be operated vertically. Can anyone verify / clear this up for me? Once again, thank you all very much for your help.
 
  • #12
Try McMaster Carr
http://www.mcmaster.com/

or Grainger
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/categories/motors-and-power-transmission/general-purpose

I'd recommend Grainger first as they generally are a bit less expensive.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
Ceiling fan motors can operate at any angle. With the fan attached, you'd pound the hell out of the bearings if it isn't vertical. Since you said that this is a low-torque situation, that shouldn't be an issue.
I don't know about where you are, but here 3-phase power is a special installation and you pay through the nose for it.
And NoTime, most Dremels top out at 30,000 rpm, not 10,000. Even my cordless one does more than 25.
 
  • #14
There is that > :wink: :smile:
 

Similar threads

Vacuum cleaner series universal motor triac control board
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Increasing induction motor frequency
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
What is the best DC motor for spinning a vortex impeller at 3000 rpm?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Determining motor/control options to act on a spring
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Need motor help with Electric Power Brush project for clearing snow
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Self excited induction generators and grid connected solar inverters?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Why can't a 2 pole ac induction motor run a 6 pole induction generator
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Asymmetrical grounding of a 3 phase motor being run on a 1 phase supply
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replacing a diesel engine with an electric motor
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
Controlling the speed of an AC motor?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K