Scott
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- How can I reverse polarity (spin direction) on electric motor?
I found an old (heavy duty) electric motor that I've been using to drive an even older belt-driven table saw. It would work better if I could turn the motor around and have it spin the opposite direction. I tried switching the terminals inside, but it still always spins in the same direction. Is there an add-on switch to reverse the polarity? Someone told me that the motor is most likely single phase, single speed, and will only go one direction no matter what. Does that sound accurate? Thanks for any help....
Do you know what type of motor this is? Capacitor start, capacitor start/capacitor run, split phase? Did you check the plate on the motor or the cover over the wiring connections. They sometimes put reverse direction in there.
Thanks for the reply Joed,
It's a capacitor start(centrifuge switch)-induction run motor. There appears to have been a wiring diagram on the inside cover, but it's long since deteriorated. It's an old "Whirl-a-Way" c. 1950?? Not sure about split-phase...Runs great. 115v AC. Coming off the copper coil are three wires. The way they are "mounted" on the coil is strange. Two of the three face one way, and then once faces the opposite way by itself. Which one might be the start winding? I took it to an electric motor shop and they thought it was not reversible, but weren't sure since it was old. They were interested in selling me a new one, didn't seem interested in offering a "repair" or rewiring. Also, I didn't lable the wires before I cut them (oops) and rearranged them trying to get the right combination to get a reversal. I was able to get it working again, but it seems to be lacking in starting power, like I didn't wire in the capacitor correctly. Know of any wiring diagrams or is there a standard for wiring the more simple motors sch as these? Thanks again!
Scott
