Help me wire my gear motor

[bcmaui]

Rough sketch:



If your outlet is not switched, you can add an on/off switch in between the wall plug and the capacitor (red wire)

[BeerPal]

Rough sketch:



If your outlet is not switched, you can add an on/off switch in between the wall plug and the capacitor (red wire)

That is awesome. Thanks.

[foomench]

I think you could also wire it up with a DPDT to make it reversible. I did. Photos here:
http://morebeer.ning.com/photo/albums/grain-mill-i

[BeerPal]

I think you could also wire it up with a DPDT to make it reversible. I did.

OK, that fuckin' rocks. You knew I was gonna ask you how to wire the DPDT didn't you?

BTW- I'm about as far from an electrician as you can get but DPDT is an acronym for "Double Pole Double Throw", yes?

[foomench]

OK, that fuckin' rocks. You knew I was gonna ask you how to wire the DPDT didn't you?

BTW- I'm about as far from an electrician as you can get but DPDT is an acronym for "Double Pole Double Throw", yes?

Yeah, I knew that was coming, but I didn't want to think about it. It hurts my brain to do so. I got an EE degree a long time ago, but rarely do anything this practical. Looking at the diagrams above, I think you want the switch to reverse the red and blue wires between the capacitor and the motor. So for my switch with six connectors, red and blue (black in my case) from the capacitor went into the center. I then connected one side of the switch to the motor wires matching, the other side opposite. If your motor is like mine (PSC), you should turn off the power before switching the direction.

[bcmaui]

Reversing the mill helps clear if it jambs up?

I know it is possible, but how often does it occur? To date I have always been able to run my mill in one direction with a drill.

Nice clean job on the direct drive motor mount.

Also - since you are an EE. Would it be better if I put the ON/OFF switch on my diagram after the capacitor - allowing it to accumulate a charge without the motor running, or does it need a complete circuit to charge and location does not matter? In my diagram I was not sure, so I kept the power off switch before the capacitor assuming it might be safer, but not sure.

[foomench]

Every now and then the grain stops flowing through my mill. I think a void forms or the grain makes a solid form on the rollers such that it doesn't pulled in. I reverse it and reverse it back and viola, problem solved. Sometimes I just shake it a bit.

Now I'm not a licensed electrician or certified PE (professional engineer), but I like where you put the switch bcmaui. Capacitors can leak current. And it seems safer to me, but what do I know?

[bcmaui]

Every now and then the grain stops flowing through my mill. I think a void forms or the grain makes a solid form on the rollers such that it doesn't pulled in. I reverse it and reverse it back and viola, problem solved. Sometimes I just shake it a bit.

OK - will be adding a motor reversing switch to my setup. This milling cabinet is too heavy to shake.