Reversing contactor for 120vac motor

[alia176]

Has anyone found a cheap source for a reversing contactor for a 120vac motor? I found a gear motor at the surplus store and need to make it go in both directions. Ideally, a single pole double throw switch to control the direction of this motor would be a nice luxury.

I'm finding lots of reversing contactors made for a MCC (motor control center) but something that's stand alone would be great.

If I can't find a decently priced contactor, I'll see if I can find an used motor speed controller or a small VFD on fleebay.

Thanks.

 

[Rusty 72]

I used this to reverse my bead roller.

 

[Living in the Past]

Have you checked to see if their a two leads you reverse rotation on the motor? 1/4 HP drawing four amps wouldn't take much to wire in a double pole double throw switch to do want you want. On a A/C motor that doesn't have leads to rewire to change direction not sure of a cheap simple way. Would see how much a different motor that can be reversed.

 

[db3]

I'm finding lots of reversing contactors made for a MCC

You are confusing three phase and single phase motors. A reversing contactor reverses any two phases of a three phase motor to reverse its direction. Unless a single phase motor is specially wired for reversing, swapping the leads does not work. Some types of single phase motors can be modified to reverse, but that requires tearing it apart.

 

[alia176]

You are confusing three phase and single phase motors. A reversing contactor reverses any two phases of a three phase motor to reverse its direction. Unless a single phase motor is specially wired for reversing, swapping the leads does not work. Some types of single phase motors can be modified to reverse, but that requires tearing it apart.

Thanks for the correction, yes I need to look closer at these things!

 

[alia176]

Have you checked to see if their a two leads you reverse rotation on the motor? 1/4 HP drawing four amps wouldn't take much to wire in a double pole double throw switch to do want you want. On a A/C motor that doesn't have leads to rewire to change direction not sure of a cheap simple way. Would see how much a different motor that can be reversed.

You know, that's a good point. I'll return to the surplus store and make a note/pic of the # of wires. A DPDT would be a nice solution. Besides, I need to come up with a temp solution so that I can wire up something temp and plug it into the store's outlet to make the thing actually does rotate. Not that it isn't easy to take these things apart and repair but at $160, would like a PnP if possible!

 

[alia176]

I used this to reverse my bead roller.

View attachment 1772438

Oh SNAP, I didn't think about those drum switches. They're very affordable on FleaBay. Thanks dude!

 

[Rusty 72]

Oh SNAP, I didn't think about those drum switches. They're very affordable on FleaBay. Thanks dude!

Mine was new still in sealed box. Something like $25 shipped.