Upcoming project. One man's trash. Got some questions!!

[grumpy]

Is another man's treasure. I found these in a trash pile beside a buddy's
cabinet shop. They were "scrapping" them out...so I latched onto them.
These will be awesome wind-movers when I rework them.

 

[Sagebrush]

Great catch Grumpy!!

 

[Miss M]

WOW!!

 

[Wheels]

what a great find!

 

[MaggieJ]

Lucky you, Grumpy, being in the right place at the right time. A great score!

It amazes me, the things people will throw away. :?

 

[Marinea]

My hubby still laughs at me each time we drive by the local trash dump as I crane my neck to make sure I see no treasures piled up to be hauled away. I have scored a few finds, but nothing like that!

Way to go!

 

[luvabunny]

What a great find! Bet it saved you hundreds!

We have a monthly "big junk pickup". The city will pick up just about anything. Of course, I have found all sorts of treasures myself.

Just last month, picked up a dog crate and litterbox. Took them to the local shelter. Figured it was better use than being thrown in the dump. We also have regular scrappers who drive around looking for metal.

 

[grumpy]

I pulled one of these fans into the shop the other day and was planning on
building some framework to box them in and place filter-pads on the back
to keep the hair out of it.

I figured, "I'd better check it out first, to see if it works." I wired a pig-tail
plug-in to the main leads and NOTHING!!! "Hmmm---Might be a bad motor?"

I noticed some schematic diagrams on the side of the motor.....LOL
You guessed it!!! It's a 220 volt motor, 1/4 horse-power, 850 RPM's.
I "know" there are ways to re-wire the leads in the motor to reduce it to
110 volts, but I'm not sure I want to do this. I've also been told that 220
is more economical to run than 110. I've never understood this concept.
But who am I to argue with the "pros"?

I've got two choices: Forget it.. Or run a couple of 220 lines off my breaker
box just for the fans. They pull less than 10 amps per motor so wiring costs
would be minimal. They'd have plenty of "PUSH" with the larger voltage power.

What would you do?? Also, what would be the best way for an on/off switch
for each individual unit? I've ran a lot of 220 line during my life but I've always
hard-wired all of the appliances that required it.

Grumpy.

 

[Homer]

Question first. Do you get "inspected" by anyone? I've been known to use romex for 220 VAC single use items. How far away us the breaker box? Do you need them switched (DPST) or are you going to use a thermostat controlled switch (Johnson Controls), or just walk to the breakers to turn them on/off. The latter being the easiest way to wire them.

Don't rewire them for 110 VAC! They will draw more than double the amps than on 220. I can get all technical here but trust me, the "pros" are right. I'm a retired E.E. :ugeek:

 

[grumpy]

Thanks for the response, Homer.

No....no inspections. I live in the county and own my own place. Owners are
allowed to do these things in my area.

The main breaker box for the barn is a 100 amp wall box with 20+ breakers.
I put this in years ago, when I first bought the place. I'll have less than a
10-15 foot lead for any one of the three fans. It's a Square-D breaker box.

I've seen applications using simple romex. I was figuring on using it myself
in this instance. Since very little amperage is required. 12/2 w/ground?
My biggest concern would be the "ON/OFF" situation. What would be the
best/safest way to accomplish this? I'll be going through a wall to deliver
the power. I'd hate to have to walk all the way into my shop to throw the
breaker to the fans.

Any suggestions would be helpful.
thanks
Grumpy.

 

[Marinea]

Add an on/off switch? We have one to save money on our water heater.

I can't figure out how to imbed the link, but here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6866388_wire-220-switch.html

 

[Homer]

Pretty easy, set the fans then mount a box next to them for the power leads from the fan motors. I'm assuming one line to each fan. Then run the romex, tape the white with red tape so you know it and the black are hot wires and ground the bare one. In the box you mount your switch, a Double Poll Double Throw (DPDT) Put the Hot wires from the breaker box on one side (black & red from breakers) of the switch and the fan wires in the other. Done If you use toggle switches make sure they are good for at least 10 Amps. (car parts store)



Edit: ad picture and fix my spelling :x

 

[grumpy]

Thanks for the advice.

Another "hypothetical" question.....
Two hot-leads off of two separate 110V lines coming into a single
connection equals 220 volts? Correct? :x

I'm trying to figure out "how" I can make a 220 pigtail to "test" the fans
before building the framework to support them. Using the hot side of a
standard cord to the one hot-side of the motor and another hot side of a
standard cord on the other hot-side of the motor..."should" bring 220volts
to the motor. I'd incorporate both neutrals on both cords to the neutral
on the motor. (if it ain't right...my eyes will look like these!!)

Being the pack-rat that I am, whenever I've got an electrical appliance that
goes bad, I cut the cord off before throwing the appliance away. I've got
"several" cords 2-3 feet long with the male plugs still attached.

The fan has two same-sized wires....(black & yellow) and one smaller wire
(brown)...I'm assuming the brown is the neutral wire.

 

[Homer]

Thanks for the advice.

Another "hypothetical" question.....
Two hot-leads off of two separate 110V lines coming into a single
connection equals 220 volts? Correct? :x

Sometimes. Depends on which leg (buss bar) they run off of in the breaker box. The two 110's have to be 180 degrees out of phase to equal 220. Just put a 220 breaker in the box and run wires off that then you know it's right and use the breaker for your on/off. That way you don't get :shock: <br /><br /> -- Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:35 am -- <br /><br />

I've got
"several" cords 2-3 feet long with the male plugs still attached

You do know those are called suicide cords right? Yeah I have several myself. :lol:

The fan has two same-sized wires....(black & yellow) and one smaller wire
(brown)...I'm assuming the brown is the neutral wire.

Sorry, missed this earlier. Do you have a Ohm meter? You're probably right on your assumption but it's easy to test with a meter. Only one wire should be a dead short to the motor case, that is the ground. The other two will have continuity between them (the motor's field windings) but not the motor case. Those are the line voltage wires.

Hope that makes sense. :explanation:

 

[Miss M]

I've got
"several" cords 2-3 feet long with the male plugs still attached

You do know those are called suicide cords right? Yeah I have several myself. :lol:

Yep, my husband has one he uses to tap off an A/C when he needs to (he has a universal certification). I think he's taught only one other person how to use one, because he hasn't met anyone else he can trust not to fry themselves with it! :x

 

[grumpy]

Thanks for the advice.

Another "hypothetical" question.....
Two hot-leads off of two separate 110V lines coming into a single
connection equals 220 volts? Correct? :x

Sometimes. Depends on which leg (buss bar) they run off of in the breaker box. The two 110's have to be 180 degrees out of phase to equal 220. Just put a 220 breaker in the box and run wires off that then you know it's right and use the breaker for your on/off. That way you don't get :shock:

-- Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:35 am --

I've got
"several" cords 2-3 feet long with the male plugs still attached

You do know those are called suicide cords right? Yeah I have several myself. :lol:

The fan has two same-sized wires....(black & yellow) and one smaller wire
(brown)...I'm assuming the brown is the neutral wire.

Sorry, missed this earlier. Do you have a Ohm meter? You're probably right on your assumption but it's easy to test with a meter. Only one wire should be a dead short to the motor case, that is the ground. The other two will have continuity between them (the motor's field windings) but not the motor case. Those are the line voltage wires.

Hope that makes sense. :explanation:

My "Ohm Meter" is "how-fast" the hair stands up on my ears.
AND...........Other parts of my anatomy!!

I've got
"several" cords 2-3 feet long with the male plugs still attached

You do know those are called suicide cords right? Yeah I have several myself. :lol:

Yep, my husband has one he uses to tap off an A/C when he needs to (he has a universal certification). I think he's taught only one other person how to use one, because he hasn't met anyone else he can trust not to fry themselves with it! :x

I've been "hooked-up" twice :x in my life to 220 volts.
110 volts will grab yer butt and hang on.
220 volts will body slam you!!.
I hit a 220 service line one time with my drill on the inside of an exterior wall.
WOWSERS!!! My drill was toast and my hair was even curlier than before.

I had a funny kind of a "Twitch" in my step for the rest of the day. :lol: :lol:
I kinda "ached" all the next day. Even my smile....hurt.

Grumpy.

 

[Homer]

My "Ohm Meter" is "how-fast" the hair stands up on my ears.
AND...........Other parts of my anatomy!!

Please be sure and set up a movie camera to catch the testing. This I gotta see.

 

[Miss M]

My "Ohm Meter" is "how-fast" the hair stands up on my ears.
AND...........Other parts of my anatomy!!

Please be sure and set up a movie camera to catch the testing. This I gotta see.

:lol:

Shay said among the A/C guys he's met, they're known as "stingers" (serious understatement!) or "widowmakers". :rip:

 

[Homer]

Sooooo, have you lit yourself up yet, er, um, I mean tested the fans? opcorn:

-- Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:19 am --

:trapped: You holding out on us Grumpy?

 

[mystang89]

Electrical math makes my head hurt