Hamilton Beach home motor cage reproduction - Bill Dunlap's wonderful work

[David Kilnapp]

Friends:  I just received Bill Dunlap's reproduction cage and blade for my Hamilton Beach Home Motor.  Rick Powell, generously provided the original which Bill used to make what you see below from stainless steel. WOW! All that it lacks is the badge which Don Colman is making for me (original also provided by Rick Powell).

This little motor runs CRAZY fast so I'd like to put some kind of speed adjustment, in line, to run it at a slower speed. I could always use one of my variacs I suppose. These little home motors came with a pedal attachment to run the motor at different speeds. I could look into buying one on eBay but I prefer something more elegant that I can mount, in line, with a knob to adjust the speed. Suggestions?

Edited August 24 by David Kilnapp

[Russ Huber]

Do you have any diodes, David? One 1000 watt 4 Amp. half wave diode (overkill) placed inline will slow mighty mouse down roughly 700 RPM. you can get them for pennies on the dollar. You can actually put the diode in the plug. 

Bill does great brass work.  

[Russ Huber]

FWIW...to those that don't know, you can use a half wave diode on "SMALL"  UNIVERSAL and DC brush motors to reduce motor speed. The half wave diode emits pulsating RECTIFIED(DC) current to the motor. The pulsating current is so fast you or the motor won't notice it. 🙂

Edited August 24 by Russ Huber

[David Kilnapp]

Thanks Russ. I'm thinking more about making a small box with a rotating knob on it to adjust the speed. Something like a dimmer switch on a light fixture though I would never use a dimmer switch on a fan. I'd want something a little more rigorous in terms of quality of output.

[Russ Huber]

24 minutes ago, David Kilnapp said:

I'd want something a little more rigorous in terms of quality of output.

To each his own, David, possession is 9/10ths the law. 🙂 I assure you, there is no loss of quality in the use of a diode. It will not harm the motor either. Enjoy your toy!

[David Kilnapp]

I was referring to a dimmer switch like one would use on a light. Those devices are altogether inappropriate for use with fans. Your diode idea is fine, Russ.

[George Durbin]

What about a ceiling fan switch? Variable speed

[Bill Dunlap]

David,

Your motor may already be variable speed just by adjusting the brush holders in the slot to another position. You might have a screw in the front that traps the holder in one position. Worth a try. You can also run these on a Variac.

Cheers,

Bill

[Paul Carmody]

I use a fan dimmer with minimum speed adjustment on all of the fans I restore.The custom one I just use now when I’m testing fans on my work space .Now when I gift a fan I incorporate the adjuster to the cord and just lock it in with no knob at 110 or where the fan best runs.Those are polycase  enclosures.You can get the plug side plate with 2 or 3 prongs.I always ground fans I do for others.The female ends from Amazon.Just little trimming .I run AC/DC fans and shaded pole.It’s also says P.S.C.I can’t say.They always use less amps and generate less heat.My fans and the gift fans are all run for hours.Sometimes day and night.
The controller is a KB electronics fan dimmer 120v 6.0 Amp with minimum speed adjustment.Do not use a light Dimmer.

Edited August 24 by Paul Carmody

[David Kilnapp]

Thanks Paul. Very interesting and helpful!

[David Kilnapp]

I put this together and it works very well 

[Russ Huber]

5 hours ago, Bill Dunlap said:

David,

Your motor may already be variable speed just by adjusting the brush holders in the slot to another position. You might have a screw in the front that traps the holder in one position. Worth a try. You can also run these on a Variac.

Cheers,

Bill

I disassembled it quickly and noticed something right away. The rotation can be reversed by moving the brushes which rotate around a unique mechanism which you can see below. ~David Kilnapp

Edited August 25 by Russ Huber

[Russ Huber]

The brushes won't adjust for motor speed, they simply adjust for CW or CCW rotation. 

[Bill Dunlap]

I have an HB motor here I use for a sample. It does not have the feature useful for changing speeds, only direction. I have had one motor that was adjustable for speed in my shop last year.  It used a friction method to hold the brush holder in place instead of a screw on the front. I don't know which type David has.

Cheers,

Bill

[Paul Carmody]

8 hours ago, Russ Huber said:

Do you have any diodes, David? One 1000 watt 4 Amp. half wave diode (overkill) placed inline will slow mighty mouse down roughly 700 RPM. you can get them for pennies on the dollar. You can actually put the diode in the plug. 

 

I haven’t tried the diode yet.I understand the hookup and that’s about it.Is there a way to use different size diodes for different speeds coming off the switch of say a 3 speed switch .I know it’s a little off topic but since diodes came up and Russ was on the subject.

[Russ Huber]

22 minutes ago, Paul Carmody said:

I haven’t tried the diode yet.I understand the hookup and that’s about it.Is there a way to use different size diodes for different speeds coming off the switch of say a 3 speed switch .I know it’s a little off topic but since diodes came up and Russ was on the subject.

The half wave diode works on a principle. And that principle is based on the rectified DC waveform it creates. The size of the diode doesn't mean bigger slows the motor more. 🙂 To slow it down more would require resistance. Resistance wire (nichrome) creates heat. A half wave diode can slow down a SMALL universal or DC brush motor significantly using electronics without the use of heat generating resistance wire. 

The Half-Wave Rectifier - Last Minute Engineers

Edited August 25 by Russ Huber

[David Kilnapp]

Thank you gentlemen for weighing in. Your information is always helpful and always welcome. This morning Don Coleman emailed me the following picture of the badge reproduction that he completed for me. The original is on the top of the picture. I am continually amazed by Don. His craftsmanship is certainly without peer.

I would love to know how he is able to do this. I'm in awe.

Edited August 25 by David Kilnapp