Availability and somewhat cost (driven by availability).

The more I look into this, the more I am starting to lean towards trading in my Ajax motor for a single phase 4-pole motor. I should be able to get the 1PH motor in the same frame size as the current 3PH motor (184T) which will allow it to work with the existing pulley. I will need to get a new starter (contactor) for it though as the current starter is only good on 1PH up to 3HP. I may try using it though. Worst case is that it burns out.

 

I would say if you use the current contractor just use all 3 contacts in parallel. This will help it deal with the high starting current.

 

Well, none of my usual places have any kind of phase converter and I'm not buying one of those new. I just checked in with a friend that deals a lot with motors to see if he might have something laying around.

As far as the starter goes, there are three switched contacts inside the starter, but since I would be wiring the motor up as 230V so I would only use two of those contacts.

 

I see i was thinking it would have 4 contacts on the starter. Where i work i used to be a electrician and everything there is 3 phase. Our contactors always had 4 contacts and they would use the 4th for a seal in circuit on most motors. I see your problem with the 230v as it will draw more current and will probably burn out the contacts. But it should give you at least some time to work and find a different contactor.
Its a hell of a compressor hope ya get it to work for ya.

 

I'll have to look again, but I seem to remember it only having 3 contacts. I should have taken a picture of that too.

I might have a line on a motor! It's nice to have friends with connections. If things work out, I might be receiving a 'sample' motor at no charge! That will just leave a proper starter. And if I do get the motor for nothing, I'll spring for a nice magnetic starter.

 

I stripped off the starter, pressure switch and have the motor almost ready to remove. I forgot my hub puller when I went down to dad's Saturday. The next step is to get it moved over to dad's main shop and take some degreaser to it, then unleash the power washer. I am contemplating stripping it down and giving it a new coat of paint before putting it into service. This would be a good time to do it! I found reference to RAABE 6524 Blue Metallic Paint being what Saylor-Beall uses, but I think I'll shoot a quick inquiry to S-B directly. I can have whatever I need mixed and will shoot this myself.

I hope to have the new motor by the end of the week, but beggars can't be choosers. If I want to keep the costs down, I have to be patient.

As far as the starter goes, I am going to wire up the old Furnas starter for 240V 1PH and see how it does. Worst case scenario is that it locks up and I pull the plug.

 

Wow... So it's been almost 2 months now and I haven't heard back from my source on motors/drives... Man time flies.

 

you sir are on my hate list

 

And I'm trying to keep it at $150 total! If I wanted to spend $400 on a new 1PH 5HP motor, I could have had it in my garage by now, but a friend of mine is trying to find a good working variable frequency drive for me so I can keep the 3PH 5HP that's on it. The soft start ability of a VFD is what is making me be patient.

I keep collecting other things to get it installed properly from friends as well. I just picked up a nice high flow regulator from a friend that he was going to throw away. Some coils of hose which I'll use for a blow gun or two around the garage. Some other miscellaneous fittings that I don't have any real use for at the moment as well. All stuff that would have otherwise been tossed, but just need a little cleaning to make perfectly usable once again.

 

Just a little update. The compressor head is now in my garage. I spent the past few weekends cleaning everything up and last weekend I pulled the compressor head and motor off the tank and have them sitting in my garage. I am hoping to get the old compressor moved over to the other side of the garage possibly this weekend. Anyway, here's a pic of the compressor cleaned up as best as I was willing to do:


I'm still waiting for the static phase converter, but have been assured that parts are being accumulated to put one together for me. I will be picking up the belts and air cleaner this weekend or at least attempting to.