• Rewiring a fan motor to a dryer plug
    28 replies, posted
I simply just want to check and see I got this all right, before I go out and buy a dryer plug for nothing. I have a old Centrifugal fan/blower, I was told it's a 240v and was previously hooked directly into a house switch box. I was first thinking of just buying a dryer plug to add onto the old wire, I'm not in luck in finding the plug itself and I was thinking of a better idea. I took a better look at the fan at the wire box on top and noticed how easy the old wire is wired up to the motor [img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_0472.JPG[/img_thumb] click to enlarge (3 of the 7 motor wires are used and wired to the old wire (the ones you see), 3 are wirenut'd individually, and 1 (red) goes to a regulator or something [img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_04731.JPG[/img_thumb] Now they sell dryer plug replacements, comes with the plug and wire. [IMG]http://filesmelt.com/dl/install-dryer-power-cord-800X800.jpg[/IMG] So I was thinking just buy the 3 prong dryer replacement and wire it right onto the motor wires, that's how it should work right?
Wrong section?
[QUOTE=Java Llama;20789038]Wrong section?[/QUOTE] no this is hardware and software
[QUOTE=Java Llama;20789038]Wrong section?[/QUOTE] haha, are you kidding
It should work you just need 2 120v lines and then your neutral which the dry plug supplies. Just make sure it is hooked up to a breaker that can handle the amps. Also make sure you wrap the connection well.
when i think of hardware, i think of computer hardware, not hairdryers lol
As long as you are providing enough voltage and current to the motor, connects the corresponding ground and 240V wire correctly, and is properly insulated, it should work fine.
You should find out if it's wired for 120 or 240. If it's 120, the Black and White will be High speed, I think. Red and White will be low/medium.
What is that? What are you trying to do? And why are you trying to do it?
Try it on 120 first. Or if you have a multimeter use ohms law. This may only work if you have a name plate with some given variables. for example. If the plate says I have a load running at 6 amps running at 20 ohms (it's just an example), you can use the given ohms and divide it by the voltage so you can figure out the voltage. 120\6=20 240\6=|=20 See what I mean?
[QUOTE=Metalcastr;20789801]Make sure you get the wires wired correctly, there's probably multiple speeds and capacitor starting wires. Black and White should be high speed, and Red and White should be low, if it's 2 speed. But I am not 100% sure so be safe.[/QUOTE] Old wire, which I'm not going to use anymore, is, Green White Black to the motor Green > Grounded White > Orange Black > Black Red is looped into this thing, but is not needed [img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_0470.JPG[/img_thumb] I'm sure the house dryer plug wired though a breaker, so I got that covered, I'll be sure to insulate and wirenut. Hopefully it works
That's a starting/running capacitor, and it is needed. Found some info: [url]http://en.allexperts.com/q/Heating-Air-Conditioning-696/Wiring-furnace-blower-fan.htm[/url] I have a blower fan I want to wire up as well. I'm waiting till it's warm, 'cause it's in the garage.
[QUOTE=Metalcastr;20790031]That's a starting/running capacitor, and it is needed.[/QUOTE] oh. well I meant when I'm wiring up it's not going to be messed with
I would greatly appreciate if you would not plug things into me.
What is the amperage? 240 Volts can be ran through a normal receptacle, it all depends on the amperage of the fan. If it's below 15 A then you can use it on a normal plug.
I hate those little twist-on terminals - Very sloppy. Anyway just wanted to point out that in the first picture, the cover of the twist-on terminal on the black cable is missing and should be replaced.
[QUOTE=stone555;20791425]What is the amperage? 240 Volts can be ran through a normal receptacle, it all depends on the amperage of the fan. If it's below 15 A then you can use it on a normal plug.[/QUOTE] You sure about that? I was specifically told to run it at 240V, correct me if I'm wrong normal outlets supply 120V, right? [QUOTE=yngndrw;20800210]I hate those little twist-on terminals - Very sloppy. Anyway just wanted to point out that in the first picture, the cover of the twist-on terminal on the black cable is missing and should be replaced.[/QUOTE] Will do. The splicing and twisting were done correctly under the caps, I checked them.
[QUOTE=Craptasket;20804525]You sure about that? I was specifically told to run it at 240V, correct me if I'm wrong normal outlets supply 120V, right? Will do. The splicing and twisting were done correctly under the caps, I checked them.[/QUOTE]I am sure about it, the bridged ones will only have 120 V going to them, while unbridged ones (such as kitchen counter plugs) have 240 V. Just wire up a receptacle without breaking the bridge with some 14/3 NMD and you will be just fine on 15A. A dryer plug is like 40A, waste of electricity.
If you live in the united states (which I am assuming you do because of the pic of the dryer plug) normal outlets supply 120v. Only special appliance outlets like electric dryer or range outlets supply 240v, and that can kill you. Many motors on large appliances can be changed to 120 or 240 operation. Perhaps I will wire up my own fan and tell you how I did it. Not sure when I can get around to that though.
[QUOTE=stone555;20805239]I am sure about it, the bridged ones will only have 120 V going to them, while unbridged ones (such as kitchen counter plugs) have 240 V. Just wire up a receptacle without breaking the bridge with some 14/3 NMD and you will be just fine on 15A. A dryer plug is like 40A, waste of electricity.[/QUOTE] I can't comment on the first part as I'm not in the US and have no idea how your sockets are wired up. However the second part worries me: "A dryer plug is like 40A, waste of electricity." - Current does not work like that. It will only use what it needs. A 40A fuse does not mean that any appliance connected up will use 40A and a socket capable of supplying 40A will not always supply 40A to everything connected.
Three prong dryer outlets output +120, -120 and a common lead. To use a 120v source run a line from either the +120 or the -120 to common and if you want a 240v source connect to the +120 and the -120. The four prong dryer outlets just have two common prongs instead of one. They both connect to the same bus in the breaker so you can use either of them (hence it is named "common") Dryer outlet knowledge is a must if you own a supercomputer. :3: Edit: A voltmeter is your friend here. Just set it to 240v and jab the probes into the outlet until you find the voltage you want. EDIT: That metal can is a load start capacitor. It helps reduce strain on the circuit while the fan is spinning up.
[QUOTE=yngndrw;20813737]I can't comment on the first part as I'm not in the US and have no idea how your sockets are wired up. However the second part worries me: "A dryer plug is like 40A, waste of electricity." - Current does not work like that. It will only use what it needs. A 40A fuse does not mean that any appliance connected up will use 40A and a socket capable of supplying 40A will not always supply 40A to everything connected.[/QUOTE]I suppose I worded that wrong. I really meant to say waste of money. Cause A) You need to buy a dryer plug and B) then you need to buy a breaker for 40A. Which isn't cheap. Yeah I really fucked that one up haha.
You shouldn't fuck with that stuff at all without having an electrician take a look at it, you either may kill yourself or risk a fire when you leave it turned on when you leave home (don't do it)
[QUOTE=stone555;20822978]I suppose I worded that wrong. I really meant to say waste of money. Cause A) You need to buy a dryer plug and B) then you need to buy a breaker for 40A. Which isn't cheap. Yeah I really fucked that one up haha.[/QUOTE] Plug is like $13-$15, the place I'm plugging in the blower is where my own dryer is plugged into. I'm sure at this point the breaker should do the job. [QUOTE=DrLuke;20823177]You shouldn't fuck with that stuff at all without having an electrician take a look at it, you either may kill yourself or risk a fire when you leave it turned on when you leave home (don't do it)[/QUOTE] I am aware of the dangers [editline]07:35PM[/editline] I can confirm the Dryer Breaker is 40 A, takes up 4 slots, one of those thick breakers
I made a video of mine [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0DTJOho0A4[/media]
[QUOTE=pentium;20817158]Three prong dryer outlets output +120, -120 and a common lead. To use a 120v source run a line from either the +120 or the -120 to common and if you want a 240v source connect to the +120 and the -120. The four prong dryer outlets just have two common prongs instead of one. They both connect to the same bus in the breaker so you can use either of them (hence it is named "common") Dryer outlet knowledge is a must if you own a supercomputer. :3: Edit: A voltmeter is your friend here. Just set it to 240v and jab the probes into the outlet until you find the voltage you want. EDIT: That metal can is a load start capacitor. It helps reduce strain on the circuit while the fan is spinning up.[/QUOTE] AC power doesn't have polarity, only DC does. Dryer plugs have two hots and a neutral with no ground. The two hot wires are also out of phase with each other, or otherwise known as two phase power. Most standard house breakers only have one neutral pole, so you aren't going to find many houses with the four prong connector.
Modern dryer plugs actually do have a ground, the NEC changed recently. [url]http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/dryer/edryer/repair/replace-power-cord.php[/url]
big question, Finally got around getting the plug so I came across many of the same but they're all rated at different Amps, I thought I picked up a 30 Amp but to my mistake later on I found out I picked up a 50 Amp. The dryer breaker is only 40 Amp, I'm positive the blower uses <40 Amp, the plug is 50 Amp. Do I return it for the 30 Amp or [U]it doesn't matter the breaker will only supply 40 Amp [/U] I have till tomorrow, I'm going out to exchange it for a 30 Amp
reminds me of [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oohtAWl9zRk[/media]
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