Antique GE Motor wiring 1

[aviator1]

I'm looking for any information relative to an antique GE Motor that is part of a semaphore traffic signal. It is a model 5BA459B62, Typ BA, 1/50 HP, .66 amp @ 3300 rpm's. There are four wires coming from the housing, 2 from the brushes and 2 from the armature. I think the motor is reversible. I'm looking for any input on the possible wiring configuration as I don't want to fry it with incorrect wiring. It would likely be impossible to replace.

 

[waross]

Take it to a motor shop.

Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[VEBill]

Random suggestions:

Track down the GE "Data Management" department, get an e-mail address for a friendly manager, and send a friendly inquiry. Tiny chance they might still have the data sheet on file and could send you a copy. Odds? Maybe ~5%.

When powering it up, use a current limited power supply (or the old series lightbulb trick).

 

[hacksaw]

most such motors were battery operated so as a dc motor

hp x efficiency -> watts


V <- watts/0.66

I get about 24 vdc.

so get a adjustable power supply (0-24 vdc), power the armature and the stator in parallel (with the shaft disconnected from the load & freely rotating) and bring the voltage up while monitoring the current.

reverse the field coil (or the brush leads) leads to change the direction of rotation

if the leads cannot be identifed by inspection use ohmeter measurements to guide you.

 

[aviator1]

Thanks Hacksaw... I should have mentioned in the first thread, the tag on the housing lists it as a 110 VAC.

There are two black wires from the stator and two red wires from the brushes.

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

 

[VEBill]

...impossible to replace...

Even if it is, or becomes, damaged, many rewinding shops (electric motor shops) can perform miracles.

 

[hacksaw]

then it is a universally wound motor, it can run on ac or dc

get a variable auto-transformer for ac, run the same test

the light bulb (mentioned by one of the other posts)wired in series works too and gives you current limiting protection

the armature and the field coil are separated for control, but for the test they can be wired in parallel.

 

[badservo]

I always thought a universal motor was series connected.

 

[waross]

I was going to say that, badservo, but then I thought:
"What the hey. The series light bulb will probably protect the motor, maybe."

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[VEBill]

What will people do when all the light bulbs are CFL? ;-)

 

[waross]

Automotive lamps in series for a few years until they are replaced by LEDs. We are resourceful.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[ScottyUK]

Then electric heaters in parallel.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I know I saw a post about it on one of my gizmo blogs, but didn't someone post there also about a gent in the UK selling (the now outlawed) bulbs as heating (rather than lighting) devices? That's one way to get around the law...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com