Interesting questions about an AC coil

[ctolbert]

I have an Italian packaging machine that is currently down. It has never worked because of the scale being burned up. I replaced the scale, it weighs correctly and the entire system now works with the exception of the vibrator feed.

The vibrator has a coil that has 2 wires and was wired to 230 vac single phase. It worked until the replacement of the scale, where everything was removed and put back together....the old joke of left over bolts comes to mind. Of course the thing to my knowledge was wired back correctly, but there is no schematic.

The coil is connected in series with a pot to reduce the voltage. If I put a meter on the pot I can vary the voltage from 0 - 230. If I put 230 volts directly to the coil, it surges for a moment and then dies down. But even the initial surge is about 1/4 of the original vibration.

The mechanical side -- the coil is on a heavy plate and rides on springs. This is connected to a chute that vibrates the product into a hopper. To my knowledge, it has not changed either.

It seems to be a bad coil, but there are a few questions.

I can't remember what the resistance should be for the coil. The markings are CETE 1600/.40 and is Italian. Ideas?

Anyone ever deal with a vibration type feed?

Does anyone know someone who could rewind a small coil or have a possible replacement?

Thanks,
Carl

 

[OperaHouse]

Vibratory feeders are usually tuned. If you get them just a cycle or two out of resonance, the movement is very small. These are usually adjusted with weights or springs (stacks of shims). The mass might be different now that things were changed. This will take a lot of experimenting if you don't have a FFT to determine resonance. I know someone that uses an audio amplifier and oscilator to check resonance.

 

[ctolbert]

I found the answer....

I put a diode on one side of the 230 input and it creates the vibration.

Not bad for an 89 cent diode from radio shack

Thanks all

 

[jbartos]

Comment:
1. Normally, products have nameplates or an equivalent. Is there anything available what might be posted and help?
2. Apparently, the coil is designed for some pulsing or alternating power supply to produce mechanical vibrations.
3. Potentially, 50Hz versus 60Hz may make a difference.