---------------------------------------------------------- RV-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 05/12/08: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 09:59 AM - off-topic question about AC electric motors (Brian Meyette) 2. 11:47 AM - FW: RV6a step kit (ROBERTS, DENIS) 3. 12:56 PM - Re: FW: RV6a step kit (Ron Lee) 4. 02:33 PM - Re: off-topic question about AC electric motors (David Leonard) 5. 03:10 PM - Re: off-topic question about AC electric motors (Dave Nellis) 6. 07:54 PM - Re: off-topic question about AC electric motors (Russ & Marilyn) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 09:59:17 AM PST US From: "Brian Meyette" Subject: RV-List: off-topic question about AC electric motors This has nothing to do with RVs, but I know there are a lot of very knowledgeable people out there and someone might know. The short question is - what will happen if you plug a 230v motor into 115vac? Will it still run, albeit weakly? If you're interested, this is the long version - I bought an air compressor that the seller said had a motor problem. Rather than just replace the motor, I tested it out, because sometimes you can actually buy things that are not as bad as expected, and just need a simple fix. The compressor came with a standard 15a, 115v 3-prong plug on it. So, I disconnected the belt driving the compressor and tested the motor by plugging it in. It ran fine. So, I connected the belt and let it try to drive the compressor. It starts and runs ok, but then runs out of steam and starts to slow down. Then the start circuit kicks in and it picks up speed again, then slows down again. So, I figured the motor was indeed bad & I'd have to replace it. But, after looking at the motor data plate to see what to order, it clearly says it is a 5 HP GE 230 volt only (not 115/230) motor. The whole thing is well used, so someone in its past must have been using it successfully. Perhaps the previous owner (or one before that) either had a 230v circuit with a 115v outlet on it (REALLY bad idea) or perhaps the guy I bought it from got it without a plug on the end, assumed it was 115v and put the 115v plug on it & then saw it didn't work, so he sold it. So, I am planning to put a 230v plug on it and try it in a 230v circuit. I guess I dont have anything to lose if somehow it is really 115 and I put 230 to it & burn it up , as I would otherwise have to replace the motor anyway, because it is too weak at 115v. I just wondered if it was feasible that it really is a 230v motor and all it needs is a 230v supply. What do you guys think - will a 230v motor run, but weakly, on 115v? Thanks, brian Checked by AVG. 1:08 PM ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 11:47:09 AM PST US Subject: RV-List: FW: RV6a step kit From: "ROBERTS, DENIS" > ______________________________________________ > From: ROBERTS, DENIS > Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:56 PM > To: ROBERTS, DENIS > Subject: FW: RV6a step kit > > > > ______________________________________________ > From: ROBERTS, DENIS > Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:46 PM > To: 'rv-list@matronics.com' > Subject: RV6a step kit > > I was lucky to purchase a beautiful RV6a. The builder did a fantasti c > build, but > did not add steps. I thought of buying a step kit, but wanted some > input to > the installation and whether or not the steps would decrease speed t o > any extent. > Any suggestions would be appreciated > Thanks, > Denis > > Denis Roberts > Senior Investment Broker > A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. > Omaha, NE > 402-496-9700 / 800-944-2609 denis.roberts@wachoviasec.com Wachovia Securities, LLC's outgoing and incoming e-mails are electroni cally archived and subject to review and/or disclosure to someone other than the recipient. A.G. Edwards, a division of Wachovia Securities, LLC ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 12:56:53 PM PST US From: "Ron Lee" Subject: Re: RV-List: FW: RV6a step kit FW: RV6a step kitIt is a GREAT addition. I had to drill out the pilot side rivets in the baggage area floor then cut the apprpriate hole in the fuselage side. I had a builder help with the riveting. Any speed decrease...if measurable...is worth it. I would strengthen the area between the flat plate and the downward portion of the step before installation Ron Lee ----- Original Message ----- From: ROBERTS, DENIS To: rv-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:43 PM Subject: RV-List: FW: RV6a step kit ______________________________________________ From: ROBERTS, DENIS Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:56 PM To: ROBERTS, DENIS Subject: FW: RV6a step kit ______________________________________________ From: ROBERTS, DENIS Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:46 PM To: 'rv-list@matronics.com' Subject: RV6a step kit I was lucky to purchase a beautiful RV6a. The builder did a fantastic build, but did not add steps. I thought of buying a step kit, but wanted some input to the installation and whether or not the steps would decrease speed to any extent. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks, Denis Denis Roberts Senior Investment Broker A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Omaha, NE 402-496-9700 / 800-944-2609 denis.roberts@wachoviasec.com Wachovia Securities, LLC's outgoing and incoming e-mails are electronically archived and subject to review and/or disclosure to someone other than the recipient. A.G. Edwards, a division of Wachovia Securities, LLC ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 02:33:56 PM PST US From: "David Leonard" Subject: Re: RV-List: off-topic question about AC electric motors I would look more into it before plugging it into 220. My compressor, usually meant to run on 110, will often bog down and not run well if the 110 supply is weak (like in many hangars where the electrical system is cobbled together). Or if I ever tried to run it through a long extension cord, it would bog down. In other words, ask the manufacturer about your specific model. They may have modified the motor, or installed a step down transformer or resistors. Running a 220 motor on 110 could cause issues just like what you describe, but can also cause a high-current situation when it boggs down. Dave Leonard 2008/5/12 Brian Meyette : > > This has nothing to do with RVs, but I know there are a lot of very > knowledgeable people out there and someone might know. > > The short question is - what will happen if you plug a 230v motor into > 115vac? Will it still run, albeit weakly? > > If you're interested, this is the long version - I bought an air > compressor > that the seller said had a motor problem. Rather than just replace the > motor, I tested it out, because sometimes you can actually buy things that > are not as bad as expected, and just need a simple fix. > > The compressor came with a standard 15a, 115v 3-prong plug on it. So, I > disconnected the belt driving the compressor and tested the motor by > plugging it in. It ran fine. So, I connected the belt and let it try to > drive the compressor. It starts and runs ok, but then runs out of steam > and > starts to slow down. Then the start circuit kicks in and it picks up > speed > again, then slows down again. > > So, I figured the motor was indeed bad & I'd have to replace it. But, > after > looking at the motor data plate to see what to order, it clearly says it > is > a 5 HP GE 230 volt only (not 115/230) motor. The whole thing is well > used, > so someone in its past must have been using it successfully. Perhaps the > previous owner (or one before that) either had a 230v circuit with a 115v > outlet on it (REALLY bad idea) or perhaps the guy I bought it from got it > without a plug on the end, assumed it was 115v and put the 115v plug on it > & > then saw it didn't work, so he sold it. > > So, I am planning to put a 230v plug on it and try it in a 230v circuit. > I > guess I don't have anything to lose if somehow it is really 115 and I put > 230 to it & burn it up , as I would otherwise have to replace the motor > anyway, because it is too weak at 115v. I just wondered if it was > feasible > that it really is a 230v motor and all it needs is a 230v supply. > > What do you guys think - will a 230v motor run, but weakly, on 115v? > > Thanks, > brian > > Checked by AVG. > 1:08 PM > > -- David Leonard Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net http://RotaryRoster.net ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 03:10:23 PM PST US From: Dave Nellis Subject: Re: RV-List: off-topic question about AC electric motors Brian, First, if the name plate says 230 volts, yes, wire up a 230 volt plug and see what happens. Second, if the name plate says 115/230 volts, it is a dual voltage motor. There are connections under the cover where the electrical power comes in that need to be changed. The name plate should have the proper connections to change the voltage. Make these changes to the voltage you wish to use. The wires should be numbered with ink or tags. A quick lesson in electric motors. Dual voltage motors have two coils either in series or parallel. Each coil is rated for 115 volts and for simplicity, let's say each coil draws 5 amps of current. If you wire for 115 V, then each coil loads to 115 V, but, since there are two coils, the current drawn is 10 amps. Next is crude diagram. 5A VVVVVVV 10A / \ 10A ------ -------- \ / VVVVVVV 5A VVVVVV= motor coils XXA= amps through each part of the circuit For 230V connections, the coils are in series, each loads to 115V but the current remains 5Amps. 5A 5A 5A 5A ------VVVVVVV----VVVVVV------ The power or wattage consumed is the same between the two. 115V x 10A = 1150 Watts 230V x 5A = 1150 Watts Hope this helps and let me know if I can be of more help. Dave Nellis Electrician for 30 years --- Brian Meyette wrote: > > > This has nothing to do with RVs, but I know there > are a lot of very > knowledgeable people out there and someone might > know. > > The short question is - what will happen if you plug > a 230v motor into > 115vac? Will it still run, albeit weakly? > > If you're interested, this is the long version - I > bought an air compressor > that the seller said had a motor problem. Rather > than just replace the > motor, I tested it out, because sometimes you can > actually buy things that > are not as bad as expected, and just need a simple > fix. > > The compressor came with a standard 15a, 115v > 3-prong plug on it. So, I > disconnected the belt driving the compressor and > tested the motor by > plugging it in. It ran fine. So, I connected the > belt and let it try to > drive the compressor. It starts and runs ok, but > then runs out of steam and > starts to slow down. Then the start circuit kicks > in and it picks up speed > again, then slows down again. > > So, I figured the motor was indeed bad & I'd have to > replace it. But, after > looking at the motor data plate to see what to > order, it clearly says it is > a 5 HP GE 230 volt only (not 115/230) motor. The > whole thing is well used, > so someone in its past must have been using it > successfully. Perhaps the > previous owner (or one before that) either had a > 230v circuit with a 115v > outlet on it (REALLY bad idea) or perhaps the guy I > bought it from got it > without a plug on the end, assumed it was 115v and > put the 115v plug on it & > then saw it didn't work, so he sold it. > > So, I am planning to put a 230v plug on it and try > it in a 230v circuit. I > guess I dont have anything to lose if somehow it is > really 115 and I put > 230 to it & burn it up , as I would otherwise have > to replace the motor > anyway, because it is too weak at 115v. I just > wondered if it was feasible > that it really is a 230v motor and all it needs is a > 230v supply. > > What do you guys think - will a 230v motor run, but > weakly, on 115v? > > Thanks, > brian > > Checked by AVG. > 1:08 PM > > > > > > browse > Un/Subscription, > FAQ, > > Forums! > > Admin. > > > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 07:54:19 PM PST US From: "Russ & Marilyn" Subject: Re: RV-List: off-topic question about AC electric motors Brian, Remove the access cover to the wiring and check to see if the motor is wired for lo voltage or high voltage. The internal taps may need to be simply placed on the correct terminal. Check the motor data plate for the correct tap arrangement. Russ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Meyette" Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:54 PM Subject: RV-List: off-topic question about AC electric motors > > This has nothing to do with RVs, but I know there are a lot of very > knowledgeable people out there and someone might know. > > The short question is - what will happen if you plug a 230v motor into > 115vac? Will it still run, albeit weakly? > > If you're interested, this is the long version - I bought an air > compressor > that the seller said had a motor problem. Rather than just replace the > motor, I tested it out, because sometimes you can actually buy things that > are not as bad as expected, and just need a simple fix. > > The compressor came with a standard 15a, 115v 3-prong plug on it. So, I > disconnected the belt driving the compressor and tested the motor by > plugging it in. It ran fine. So, I connected the belt and let it try to > drive the compressor. It starts and runs ok, but then runs out of steam > and > starts to slow down. Then the start circuit kicks in and it picks up > speed > again, then slows down again. > > So, I figured the motor was indeed bad & I'd have to replace it. But, > after > looking at the motor data plate to see what to order, it clearly says it > is > a 5 HP GE 230 volt only (not 115/230) motor. The whole thing is well > used, > so someone in its past must have been using it successfully. Perhaps the > previous owner (or one before that) either had a 230v circuit with a 115v > outlet on it (REALLY bad idea) or perhaps the guy I bought it from got it > without a plug on the end, assumed it was 115v and put the 115v plug on it > & > then saw it didn't work, so he sold it. > > So, I am planning to put a 230v plug on it and try it in a 230v circuit. > I > guess I dont have anything to lose if somehow it is really 115 and I put > 230 to it & burn it up , as I would otherwise have to replace the motor > anyway, because it is too weak at 115v. I just wondered if it was > feasible > that it really is a 230v motor and all it needs is a 230v supply. > > What do you guys think - will a 230v motor run, but weakly, on 115v? > > Thanks, > brian > > Checked by AVG. > 1:08 PM > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rv-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/RV-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rv-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rv-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.