I'm curious, has anyone managed to convert the 'so called' 2hp Harbor Freight dust collection motor from 110v to 220v? I'm a big believer in doing this whenever possible, since it divides the amperage in half, and greatly prolongs the life of the motor. I did this 34 years ago, when I purchased my Craftsman tablesaw and air compressor, and I haven't had 'Trouble One' ever since.
I'm not all that electrician savvy, and I'm not even sure if this is possible. But if possible I'm ready to give it a go. I just purchased the system early this week, and am customizing it by using two Thien seperators for both the first and second stage, and then plan to vent the extra fine particulates outside.
The motor label should say if it's possible, it will be labeled duel voltage as in 120v/240V. That said, I can't recall anyone mentioning that it is. (Obviously, I don't have one.)
If it doesn't have 120/240 listed on the motors data plate, you are SOL. And according to the manual for the current 2hp system, it's a 120v only setup.
I would imagine there would be a 'hack' somewhere. I've given it a cursory look, but haven't found it yet. If it really was possible, it would be nice to know about. I'm sold on the 220volt system. My two most important electric tools, the table saw and air compressor, are running on it, and I have not had a single problem in over 34 years. As the Timex commercial went, "They take a licking, but keep on ticking."
If it doesn t have 120/240 listed on the motors data plate, you are SOL. And according to the manual for the current 2hp system, it s a 120v only setup.
Cheers,
Brad
- MrUnix
You are indeed correct Brad. I too saw all the umpteen cautions written in the owner's manual. However, there are many people who view that as an open invitation to experiment. I'm sure someone has attempted this somewhere. I'd just love to know how it came out.
....... I too saw all the umpteen cautions written in the owner s manual. However, there are many people who view that as an open invitation to experiment.
Lots of motor myths out there. Increases life of motor, runs cooler, more power! Nonsense! I've had 3 phase 440 volt motors converted to 220 volt so I could run them on my phase converter. The "motor shop" taps into the windings.
That's the secret. Talking on Lumberjocks all day isn't going to reveal any secrets except the one I told you. Call your motor shop and learn all the real secrets about your motor. You will probably find it cheaper to buy a new motor which may cost more than the dust collector.
BTW. Have them explain the motor myths to you. I assume you got your info on the web and not from an electrical engineer!
....... I too saw all the umpteen cautions written in the owner s manual. However, there are many people who view that as an open invitation to experiment.
LOL - indeed! A motor designed to run on dual voltage (120/240) has separate windings which are run in series for 120v and parallel for 240v. Trying to get a single voltage motor to run on a higher voltage that it wasn't designed for usually ends with letting the magic smoke out of the motor. There are not a lot of advantages to running on 240v instead of 120v, and certainly not enough to, IMHO, to risk trashing the motor (or worse) trying to do so.
Lots of motor myths out there. Increases life of motor, runs cooler, more power! Nonsense! I ve had 3 phase 440 volt motors converted to 220 volt so I could run them on my phase converter. The "motor shop" taps into the windings.
That s the secret. Talking on Lumberjocks all day isn t going to reveal any secrets except the one I told you. Call your motor shop and learn all the real secrets about your motor. You will probably find it cheaper to buy a new motor which may cost more than the dust collector.
BTW. Have them explain the motor myths to you. I assume you got your info on the web and not from an electrical engineer!
And I told you the motor shops are the only ones who can do this. Have you ever talked to a motor shop and asked how they could change the voltage of the motor and if it would do what you think it would? Be nice if someone would start giving the facts. I have a motor shop I work with and I can't help but laughing every time I read the junk on the web about motors and electricity. It's actually pretty pathetic in the long run.
And I told you the motor shops are the only ones who can do this. Have you ever talked to a motor shop and asked how they could change the voltage of the motor and if it would do what you think it would? Be nice if someone would start giving the facts. I have a motor shop I work with and I can t help but laughing every time I read the junk on the web about motors and electricity. It s actually pretty pathetic in the long run.
Rick, I'm terribly sorry I am not so well versed in the fine art of electric motors and its a shame that I didn't pursue an EE degree at the Citadel. But I do know a good bit about geology, Paleotology, and am a graduate Physical Anthropologist. I tend to cram my brain with all sorts of things you may not understand, or even care. But to me, they are important. That is why there are people, such as yourself, to do other things for others, and also make a living at it. Should we quiz you on your knowledge base with the sciences?
I somehow thought we were all here to help, rather than ridicule. To the best of my knowledge I asked a straight forward question: was it possible, and had it been done. Basically, that's it. Because I am a curious hominid, that's why.
What they said. If it's not marked its not possible because it doesn't have a second set of windings to put in parallel or series for the different voltages.
I'm not trying to ridicule you at all. My job is problem solving. If I have a geology question I call a geologist. You seemed to think someone here may have figured how to run a 110 volt motor on 220. My point was to ask the source that could give the correct answer with the least amount of questions. I never even implied you should have an electrical degree. If you cut your finger on a table saw you would go to a doctor not a woodworking forum.
I am trying to help. Trying to teach problem solving with the least amount of steps. You don't have to have a degree in every field but having
Experts you can go to can go along way. You asked a question and I just wanted to give you the shortest way to the answer.
Actually this is a good place to ask this question. There are guys here from all walks of life. I work selling motors and motor repair.
The answers given are correct, unless the motor is labeled for 120/240 (dual voltage) you cannot change it to 240V. There will be no "hack" to make it 240V if it was not designed that way.
We actually get similar questions a lot. But we never laugh at people for asking. That is how you learn, by asking.
I m not trying to ridicule you at all. My job is problem solving. If I have a geology question I call a geologist. You seemed to think someone here may have figured how to run a 110 volt motor on 220. My point was to ask the source that could give the correct answer with the least amount of questions. I never even implied you should have an electrical degree. If you cut your finger on a table saw you would go to a doctor not a woodworking forum.
I am trying to help. Trying to teach problem solving with the least amount of steps. You don t have to have a degree in every field but having
Experts you can go to can go along way. You asked a question and I just wanted to give you the shortest way to the answer.
There is one thing you definitely need to acquire. And that is "Tactfulness". Do you treat your customers this way? Or is this due to the fact that you are anonymous, and don't have to worry about the object of your scorn to come looking for you, in order to straighten this out?
Try being nice for Heaven's Sake. It works wonders.
Do you treat your customers this way? Or is this due to the fact that you are anonymous, and don t have to worry about the object of your scorn to come looking for you, in order to straighten this out?
Honestly laughing out loud! Almost fell of my chair when I read some of the responses! Some of those who have responded as though they are the epitome of intelligence have the least potential for knowledge. They spend their time bashing what others have said and only bring their mouth to the table. I am not a motor shop. I do know several shops and have run into the voltage and direction "thing" hundreds of times in my career. It is entirely possible! consider why the manufacturer would make one that would only run on one voltage. the windings would be unique to that motor and therefore require special manufacturing and assembly procedures. For reasons of mass production as any one with an ounce of sense would conclude it is better or them to consider making parts that are consistent in form and function. This is better for QA and assembly. For either voltage individual windings of the motor are the same. To keep it simple ALL the windings are used. the windings are designed for 120 volts. When wired in parallel they see 120 volts on 120 volt feed. When fed with 240 the windings are in series and the windings still only see 120 each. If the windings weren't there to wire in series or parallel how would the motor use the electricity. LOL! Some machine tools require a predetermined rotation and voltage, a requirement of the manufacturer, so all the connections are made inside the motor housing and only the wires for the incoming power are available for the user to install the plug or replace the capacitor, but the connections are still there, inside the motor. On other motors several more connections are required because a loose wire has to be attached to the winding end an brought out to where a user can configure them for voltage, Still more connections of this type are required so that the rotation can be changed. It could take a special housing , possibly a terminal board and other additional parts to provide these extras. it all costs money! In short it is entirely possible! It may require disassembly of the motor, the use of a volt/ohm meter to find the individual windings and their ends. It will take some reading and searches on the net, but it will be worth it in the end, Either the comic relief you get when you can sit back and read some comments that people make about things they really know nothing about. The satisfaction you get from the things you have learned, and the opportunity to show others!
The information you are looking to find is a valuable tool for anyone that likes machinery. I learned to change the rotation and voltage on user friendly motors when I was about 13, built a rotary phase converter for my dad at the same time and dug through my first " its made that way, you cant change it take it to the motor shop" when I was 16.
I apologize for the attitude in my previous post. It was unnecessary and uncalled for. I had had a day of discussions with people about everything from vaccinations to gun control.
I m curious, has anyone managed to convert the so called 2hp Harbor Freight dust collection motor from 110v to 220v? I m a big believer in doing this whenever possible, since it divides the amperage in half, and greatly prolongs the life of the motor.
- John L
Why would it prolong the life of the motor moreover greatly ? From the motor internal perspective 220V is absolutely the same as 110V.
You might have more voltage drop with 110V when connected via a long and thin extension cord, but just don't do that and you'll be OK, at least not worse than with 220V.
I m curious, has anyone managed to convert the so called 2hp Harbor Freight dust collection motor from 110v to 220v? I m a big believer in doing this whenever possible, since it divides the amperage in half, and greatly prolongs the life of the motor.
- John L
Why would it prolong the life of the motor moreover greatly ? From the motor internal perspective 220V is absolutely the same as 110V.
You might have more voltage drop with 110V when connected via a long and thin extension cord, but just don t do that and you ll be OK, at least not worse than with 220V.
The reason why I originally asked the question is because I have converted my Crastsman table saw and air compressor from 115v to 230v. I'm not an electrician, but had been instructed that amperage is the key here, and not voltage. The less the voltage(highway size) the more the amperage needed(traffic-current) in order to accomplish the same thing. And the more amperage, the harder it has to work, thus cutting its life expectancy. I have had my table saw and air comprssor since 1981, use them on a regular basis in my business, and have never had a problem with either one. The motors seem to run like the day they were new.
Any time you cut down on your amperage requirement, the less strain on the circuit. I realize that this is not a scientific answer, and I probably should look it up and get the particulars down pat.
Also, my understanding is that this motor is not set up for dual voltages, so I am stuck with the 115v approach.
Another thing.
The current that goes through the motor's winding is always the same, otherwise the rotor would not turn or the winding would get fried in a matter of seconds. When re configuring a motor for a different voltage you connect winding parts differently in a way to make sure that the voltage on a single part and thus current going through this part is the same. For example a 3 phase motor runs on 220V circuits when the motor winding is connected as a triangle, and runs the same on 380V when the winding is connected as a star (D and Y connection). There are some advantages with Y connection as it for example gives you the neutral point, which is absent at D connection but these are specific details that can be omitted for home use.
With 1 phase motors there are usually two coils in the winding. If all coil ends are connected to the terminal you can connect them in parallel ( lower voltage) or series (higher voltage). and they would work the same. Things could be complicated by the presence of the starting capacitor, which may or may not support both configurations. The starting characteristics of a single phase motor with a capacitor also may change, as the capacitor is not optimal for both configurations.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!