Beefy 115v motor...help? (large pics)

[blazemaster83]

Hello there, I recently aquired a large camelback drillpress, and it came with a monster motor. This thing must weigh over 100lbs. Normally I am pretty good with hooking stuff up right, but this has me kinda stumped. It has a regular 115v 3 prong house plug. Here are the specs on the motor if you cant see in the pic:

Brand:GE, reversible
Model:5kcj225h28
Type:kcj
Volts:115
Amp:29
FL speed:1710
Frame:225
HP:3
Cycles:60

The woman I bought the drill press from said her husband looked hard to find this motor, but she didnt know anything. She also plugged the motor in out in her barn to show it worked, it sounded nice and smooth. I don't know what kind of outlets she had. There is another member here that has the same drill press, but a few years older. Everything seems to be identical on the 2 machines, but mine has a different table raising mechanism, and a #4MT, his is #3MT. I believe a 1.5hp motor is recommended for the machine, maybe mine is updated to 3hp for the #4MT? I dunno.

Anyways, how do I run this beast? My garage only has 15amp outlets. I think I might have a 20amp also. I know some motors just use the max amp on startup, is this thing ok to plug in a 20amp outlet? I also have a 30amp 220 dryer outlet in the garage not being used, can i get a stepdown transformer for it? Can I get a 30amp RV outlet installed, and just switch the plug on the motor? Sorry if I have a bunch of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

PS sorry for the huge pics, i resized em and they were still giant.

 

[lametec]

The motor will only use as much power as it needs to run at its rated RPM. So yes, you can run it off a 15 or 20 amp outlet. As long as the breaker doesn't trip on startup.

Of course, you might find that the breaker pops if you're drilling some massive holes in steel etc.

In other words, the more you load the motor, the more power it'll use. 29A is what it draws at full load, which you'll probably never approach unless you're drilling huge holes in solid steel.

 

[nehog]

The motor will only use as much power as it needs to run at its rated RPM. So yes, you can run it off a 15 or 20 amp outlet. As long as the breaker doesn't trip on startup.
...

Yep, start-up will be the main problem, the start-up surge will be quite high. This motor is almost identical to the motor on my compressor (but mine is 220 volts, not 110!) and I know that when the compressor starts it does a big draw. I suspect yours will be even bigger.

Bottom line, I guess, would be to try it and see if you can use it. You may find it trips the breaker every once in a while when starting up, and you may be able to live with that.

 

[1Garageman]

I'd try it out on the 20amp breaker first. Run a good extension cord to the box if you have to, and see what it does. Heck record it and put it on here for us to watch!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Re: Beefy 115v motor...help? (large pics) Large pics

Yes, 800 X 600 I find is about the best size to host when you want them right in the post.
But I have been finding it better to just add them as an attachment, it will re size, and host it for you all at the same time.
No need to even go to (in my computers case at least) the resource hog photo bucket web site.
You just save it to my pictures, and upload straight to here.
Ok this ones 302 KB, and 1024 X 768.
I saved it to my pictures, now I'll attach it here.
It says jpeg 146.5 KB Max size, But it will re-size it for you.
Also if you click on the attachment with your center mouse to open in a new tab, or right click/open in new tab, or right click/open in new window it seems to give you a little bigger picture.
Then I just close the tab.
Thanks, Tony
BTY that is a nice motor.

 

[hllon4whls]

Just an FYI, a 29 amp load is not copacetic with a standard 3 prong plug.

A twist lock similar to what is used on portable generators would be more correct, but there are several options, I believe.

One option that I would recommend you look into is to see if this motor is capable of dual voltage settings. At 110 they are shunt wound where the field and the armature are in parallel. At 220 they are series wound where the field and the armature are in series. They will spin at the same rating.

For DC series wound motors need a mechanical load on them or they over speed, so more details on the plating would help. I'm not sure how that applies to series wound AC motors.

All of this is a moot point if it works as is. If the breaker does not handle the load or if the plug is anyway on the hot side of warm after use, stop and seriously evaluate your configuration. Don't just slap a bigger breaker in the circuit. A home run from your machine to the pane with properly sized wire and the correct plugs as well as the correct breaker is your best bet and if you are handy, wont cost that much.

 

[Tscott]

Re: Beefy 115v motor...help? (large pics) Large pics

huh, looks a lot like the motors that run the pin setters at the bowling alley I used to work at in college. Same case, but a smaller capacitor box. As I recall, those were 220 volt though.

Tom

 

[blazemaster83]

Thanks for the replies guys. I figured the plug on it might be a bit light for it. I will see how it goes and be very cautious.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

PS sorry for the huge pics, i resized em and they were still giant.

Link to a good method for resizing pics to a decent size for a forum.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45220

Charles

 

[PGBioD]

Everyone mentions it looks like a motor they worked with that was 220v.
Can you get back to the lady you bought it from and test the outlet she pugged it into?

I found out the hard way that some people use 110 parts to run 220.
A company I subbed for supplied a piece of equipment for my use at my place.
The main motor was 7.5 hp, 220v, 1ph. with a heavy push-button contactor for on/off, with a ten foot 6/3cord and plug. They also supplied a 100ft extension cord to match.
I put in a pole just for it with 70amp breaker and receptacle.

There was a seperate conveyor w/small motor and long cord that could be set up to feed either of two different sides. It had a small switch like a light switch bolted onto the side of the larger control box and a short cord and female plug on it that the small motor was plugged into.
It was 110v stuff with lots of coats of paint etc. I thought they just tapped off one side of the 220 feed since it was so small and more cords on the ground was a hassle.

I needed to do some welding on it and a buddy(a pro welder) volunteered.
I had my little Lincoln 120mig handy. Plugged her in the machine's 110 outlet and the wire stuck. He adjusted, stuck again, adjusted again, **** pop stink smoke.
While he drove into the shop and loaded an engine driven welder I went home and dug out my meter, sure enough 220v.
I've jerri rigged alot of things, but I hate hillbilly engineering.
The welder hasn't worked since, nothing looks burnt or melted. Can't find a circuit breaker on it.
Is it repairable or do I have another boat anchor?

Sorry, didn't mean to hyjack your thread.

Double and triple check that motor and wiring.

Goodluck