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Lets talk Motors

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  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 571 posts
Lets talk Motors
Posted by hwolf on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 9:30 AM

The ski lift is coming along.  I have striped an old printer an retrieved two motors.  Here is the question.

Are these motors 18vac?

 

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Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:20 AM

Hwolf,

Do you know who made the printer? It would probably be easier to find out what the voltage was. Maybe even the manufacture'r of the motor,no way to tell by the pics,,

Cheers,

Frank

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  • From: South Carolina
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Posted by Train Modeler on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:43 AM

I don't know.   But to help you figure it out, maybe you can check the circuitry--but that may take more time and effort than doing the following.

Set up a couple of alligator leads from a DC power pack/track/etc.  Clip on your volt meter along with the motor.   Turn up the throttle until you see 1.5V and see if the motor turns.  Keep adding voltage, very slowly until the motor just starts turning freely--but not too fast.   Check the voltage on the meter.   Check that the wires and motor are not hot.   You can continue turning up the voltage until you start to feel some warmth--this is too high so back off quickly.   Actually if you like the RPMs at the earlier voltage, just leave it there.   Then put inline your amp meter and check the amp draw.   With the voltage and amp draw you can set up the motor for the rpm you want.  A motor can normally handle a voltage range.  

Richard

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:58 AM

Most computer peripherals use 12 volts, but the circuit boards generally use 2, 3, or 5 volts. LION would guess the motor is 12 volts, but what the heck, start it at 2 volts and see what it does. Increase the voltage until you get to where you want to be. DC motors are very forgiving of voltage inputs (just so long as you do not burn the motor up.)

Subway cars designed for 600 volts dc have no problems running on 450 or 750.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by Soo Line fan on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 11:34 AM

What was the power supply rating?

Jim

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Posted by hwolf on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 11:57 AM

The printer was an HP with a regular 120Vac plug.

It seem like all answers seem to think it is DC.  Why not AC?

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Posted by Train Modeler on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:05 PM

It could be, but doubltful, AC.   Normally electronics use DC motors.   These motors also reverse and position, things done easily with DC.    Some motors in electronics are servo/stepper, but those have 3 wires with one being for the signal.

Richard

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:37 PM

Train Modeler

It could be, but doubltful, AC.   Normally electronics use DC motors.   These motors also reverse and position, things done easily with DC.    Some motors in electronics are servo/stepper, but those have 3 wires with one being for the signal.

Richard

 

I'm surprised it's not a stepper motor myself.  I guess HP hooked an optical encoder to the roller to determine how far the paper has rolled.  But even 1200dpi encoders would be pushing the resolution limit of most printers today.

 

10:1 it's a 12VDC motor. 

Easy way to tell: In goggle type in "Motor " followed by the top row of numbers printed on the side of the motor can.  If that doesn't work, try the second line, etc...

 

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

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  • From: South Carolina
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Posted by Train Modeler on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 1:21 PM

DigitalGriffin

Train Modeler

It could be, but doubltful, AC.   Normally electronics use DC motors.   These motors also reverse and position, things done easily with DC.    Some motors in electronics are servo/stepper, but those have 3 wires with one being for the signal.

Richard

 

I'm surprised it's not a stepper motor myself.  I guess HP hooked an optical encoder to the roller to determine how far the paper has rolled.  But even 1200dpi encoders would be pushing the resolution limit of most printers today.

 

10:1 it's a 12VDC motor. 

Easy way to tell: In goggle type in "Motor " followed by the top row of numbers printed on the side of the motor can.  If that doesn't work, try the second line, etc...

 

 

Probably is 12VDC.   With aligning 4 printer cartridges and increasing print speed as well as photo quality prints, there has to be some sophisticated encoder technology, including auto zeroing.

Richard

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Posted by hwolf on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 1:25 PM

Here are the two motor numbers

C9000-60005

9045-60001

The one I found on the web was 18VDC

Another question.  If it is an 18VDV motor or a 12vdc and you ran it at a lower voltage would the motor run slower but still correct?  I do not know the speed of the motor for the ski lift until it is all installed and I see what it has to pull.. 

Harold

 

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Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 1:36 PM

Harold,

Simple answer is yes. You can a find the correct speed of your lift that way..

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by Train Modeler on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 2:46 PM

I would try and do some math first on RPM requirements and then try and measure what you've got, the one with the gear reducer is where I'd start.   Keep in mind that RPM is only one consideration.   The loading of the lift is another and so understanding the ounce pull requirements compared to force available for motor is key.   I would think that the motor with the gear reducer would be OK for a short lift and easy rolling mechanisms.

Richard

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Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 5:58 PM

 Easier way to test it - hook the wires to a regular battery, AA, C, or D cell. If not motion, or really slow, try a 2 of them in series. If still slow or not moving, try a  9V. 6V lantern batteries used to be common as dirt but they aren;t much used any more or you'd have an intermediate step between 3V and 9V but even if it is something wierd like 5V and you momentarily hit it with 9V it won;t really hurt.

But, I'll also lay odds it's a 12V motor. If not higher.

               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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