Electric Motor Question

[J.Madison]

I've been looking for a long time for a timber framing chain mortiser. These things are scarce and the cheapest commercial models sell for thousands.

For some reason there is a huge dump of used chain mortisers on ebay right now, from $300-500. The only catch is they are coming from japan and are rated for the rather strange 100V, 60Hz supply.

Do you think they would even notice the difference plugged into 120V 60Hz? I've been trying to figure out if I can swap the motor or add a VFD to the side, but it almost seems that a motor that works on 100V will probably work just fine on 120V if the frequency is correct. What do you think?

I'm willing to take a bit of a risk, as I'd be saving literally thousands off a good Makita mortiser.

[Paul Pless]

Re: Electric Motor Question

it seems like transformers for japanese appliances to united statesian electric grid are a pretty common thing

something like this is about $40 on jeff bezos' satanic network of world domination

41aOzg2dJ7L._AC_.jpg

[J.Madison]

Re: Electric Motor Question

Hmm, yes that looks like it would work. Its a second box to lug around, but not the end of the world. I'd need 1200W continuous, so probably a 3000W converter would handle the startup surge.

I don't know much about the motors, other than they appear to have brushes. I'm pretty tempted just to plug it in and see what happens. Surely an industrial motor can handle a 20% over voltage? I don't think there is any fine circuitry involved.

[lupussonic]

Re: Electric Motor Question

There are a lot of old chain morticers for sale in Germany, German made, and for cheap.

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They will run on 220 however, but great quality. With a transformer, nor problem. Google 'Kettenstimmer ebay kleinanzeigen'.

[coelcanth]

Re: Electric Motor Question

i think it would work fine; i've used a few different grey market japanese electronics without any modifications, just a plug-shape adapter

[Steve McMahon]

Re: Electric Motor Question

It should work fine. A bit of over voltage is better than under voltage on a motor. I would even hazard a guess that the only difference between the Japanese model and the North American model is probably the label and the style of plug. Lop off the Japanese plug and put on a NA plug.

[J.Madison]

Re: Electric Motor Question

There are a lot of old chain morticers for sale in Germany, German made, and for cheap.





They will run on 220 however, but great quality. With a transformer, nor problem. Google 'Kettenstimmer ebay kleinanzeigen'.

Well that opened up a new part of the internet. Nice.

[sp_clark]

Re: Electric Motor Question

Buck - boost transformer's what would let you run that Japanese device off our 120VAC 60hz mains power.

Chosen with a mind to the wattage needed, you can find 'em at places like Grainger & others:

https://www.federalpacific.com/tools/buck-boost-transformer-calculator-selector/

https://www.larsonelectronics.com/category/1045/buck-and-boost-transformers

https://eepower.com/technical-articles/an-overview-of-buck-boost-transformer-sizing/#

And as for running that device on our 120VAC line voltage for long, here's what might result:

https://www.ecmweb.com/design/article/20901278/the-highs-and-lows-of-motor-voltage

[Stiletto]

Re: Electric Motor Question

If it needs speed reduction after plugging in and trying, a simple PWM controller is a more compact way of achieving that.