Window unit AC condenser fan motor

**Blackriver** · 07-18-2014, 04:13 AM

I have an old grinding wheel arbor that is used with a belt, and I am trying to find an electric motor to power it with for hobby grinding. I have a condenser fan motor from a 110volt window unit that I pulled out yesterday. I am not at home currently to tell you the specs of the motor, but I would like to put this little motor to work somehow. I'm not sure if it is powerful enough to use with a grinder. I have no idea how to hook the motor up electrically....it seems there is a capacitor or something that is tied in with powering the AC compressor??? The motor has five wires coming out from it, if I remember correctly orange, red, blue, green, and black (I could be wrong about the colors). Obviously I'm an electricity newb..... how can I power it and make it work from a 110 volt outlet? If it will not work for the grinder idea, what could it be used for? And, any good sources for a motor powerful enough to grind with?

It will be Sunday before I can post the specs of the fan motor....out of town working..

**scrapfever313** · 07-18-2014, 06:41 AM

It mite spin fast but it wont have the amps to keep it going once you put force on the motor. kinda like torque and horse power, the more torque you have the more you can pull/tow.

**freonjoe** · 07-18-2014, 08:32 AM

Most of those motors are only 1/6 to 1/4 horsepower. Not nearly enough for grinding. Also the motor bearings are not designed for side loads.

**eesakiwi** · 07-19-2014, 05:53 AM

I agree with the info above.
5 wires probably means its got different speeds or some sort of invertor setup powering it.

Washing machine motors is what's used for bench grinders. They have the size to keep the momentum as well as the brackets (on the older ones that have a saddle for the ruber ring to fit into).
I have one on a small concrete mixer ( morter mixer).

There may be more than 3 wires on it. Be carefull, once the motors up to top speed, it trips a switch inside it and one of those wires becomes a live wire, with power runing out of it.

Get a electricin to check it or something. We use 240 v ac in NZ, so there's differences.
Just be carefull that you cannot short one soon to be live wire onto something like a metal bench like I did.....

**NHscrapman** · 07-19-2014, 08:05 AM

A single phase motor will need the capacitor, this is what will keep your charge to get the motor spinning full speed.

To find your torque

HP (guess 1/4 hp) x 5250
____________________
rpm

your rpm on a fan full speed should be around 1800-2000 rpm (lots of variables here)

That will give you around .72 lb/ft torque

to find your true rpm

120 x frequency
____________
number of poles

The scrapyard is the best source for electric motors there is. People scrap out good motors all the time. Do your diligence and get a list of what you want from the motor. can usually buy them at 1/100 of the price as a new one. just make sure they spin and you don't hear/feel any rubbing or scraping. there shouldn't be an issue with bearings as you have the belt setup / arbor for the grinder you just need more torque from your motor 1 hp should be more than enough.
last motor i bought from the yard was wired with a plug and toggle switch... good to go no messing around wiring or guessing and cost me 7 bucks.
belt tension is gonna have to be tight or it will start to slip as soon as you apply to much pressure to the wheel.
Good luck

**eesakiwi** · 07-20-2014, 07:39 AM

AnWe don't have the window units in NZ like they have in America. Even though we speak the same lingo.....

We do have 'Heatpumps' basicly the sme thing, but to make heat outta cold and sometimes reverse.

The fan motors in our heatpumps are permenent magnet sorta motors. I just relised this will make it pretty much useless as a real motor.

On the other hand. I'm going to figure out if I can generate electricity from one now.

I have scrapped 4 heatpumps in the last week. I don't get mny and had saved 3 up and found another today.
Roughly I get $20+ for the radiator part. That's over $100 and IN can chuck all the other radiator stuff from cars and computers in too.

I can't wait for my 6 months of metal saving payday.... I used to take in about $50 a week, but stopped doing that after Christmas.
Betyah they think I have gone to a different yard... Can't wait til I see their faces. 100kg copper #2 plus...........all my other metals..

**bcrepurposing** · 07-20-2014, 11:30 AM

use a tread mill motor. i have seen many variable speed drill presses, milling machines, belt and disc sanders, lathes etc made from these. they got the muscle for what you want without burning them out and include a free mounting board, belt and hardware.

If you want the variable speed you will need a fully working tread mill with good board. the advantage of these is you can use them for about anything you would drive a belt for in the shop limited only by your imagination.

**spinroch** · 07-20-2014, 11:58 AM

Way too much trouble for what you get.
You can buy them for CHEAP at Harbor Freight
Bench Grinders and Buffers at Harbor Freight
Or on Craigslist
My .02 has been deposited.....

**Phantoms001** · 07-21-2014, 01:42 AM

A lot of motors have a diagram on them that tells what wire does what and where it goes.

**Blackriver** · 07-24-2014, 12:28 AM

I solved the problem...went to the scrap yard yesterday and got a working bench grinder for $6.00......works for me.

**bcrepurposing** · 07-24-2014, 02:33 PM

Glad you solved the problem.

Although the money from scrap is nice, my business is founded on the principles of reuse, repurpose, and recycle n that order. If it is still functional I would rather make something I need or can use from it than take it in as scrap for a fraction of the value. Besides, there is the innate pride of making something with your hands.

**Blackriver** · 07-24-2014, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by bcrepurposing

Glad you solved the problem.

Although the money from scrap is nice, my business is founded on the principles of reuse, repurpose, and recycle n that order. If it is still functional I would rather make something I need or can use from it than take it in as scrap for a fraction of the value. Besides, there is the innate pride of making something with your hands.

I totally agree. I just finished making a cultivator for my garden tractor from old steel tubing and various plow parts. The cool thing is, it was all made from parts that belonged to either my dad or grandpa.

Window unit AC condenser fan motor

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