Tank Tumbler

[skdvr]

I am considering building a tank tumbler and I was wondering if a motor from a dryer would be able to be used? I have a dryer that we are getting ready to get rid of becuase the control board went out on it. The motor still works just fine though.

Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated...

Thanks

Phil

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by skdvr

I am considering building a tank tumbler and I was wondering if a motor from a dryer would be able to be used? I have a dryer that we are getting ready to get rid of becuase the control board went out on it. The motor still works just fine though.

Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated...

Thanks

Phil

Phil,

It would work just fine. Depending on the motor type, you may need something beyond basic 110 VAC. It could be a DC motor or 230VAC.

If it is a straight AC motor like a furnace blower, (1750rpm), you'll likely want to step the speed down in two pulleys to get the right speed on the tank itself.

The Oxyhacker guide is an excellent reference on this and on O2 cleaning.

[skdvr]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

The Oxyhacker guide is an excellent reference on this and on O2 cleaning.

I am planning on it. Thanks for the info.... I appreciate it...

Phil

[cummings66]

I've been thinking about this very idea for a while now, I think the perfect motor is one of those old satellite actuators. They operate off of a low DC voltage, 12 volts will run one and it's about the right speed to do a straight gearing, no messing around with ratio's to get the low rpms needed.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by skdvr

I am considering building a tank tumbler and I was wondering if a motor from a dryer would be able to be used?

Have you noticed that big belt on the dryer. It goes around the pulley on the moter then around the dryer drum. Off hand I'd guees this is a 50 to 1 reduction. You would need that much reduction in your system or maybe even more. May you can make a huge pully out of plywood that is as big as a dryer drum then place that around the tank and use the belt from the dryer.

[fkostyun]

One thing that would work wonderfully would be an old power wheelchair motor - they are 24V (but can run at 12V with 1/2 speed) and have a TON of torque

[Sounder]

Building a tank tumbler is my summer project.

[in_cavediver]

Actually, my favorite is a nice AC gear motor. Tons of torque and nice easy pulley setups. Second choice is a frequency drive AC motor. At little more complicated but hey - you can change the speed based on tank size electronically. (working for a university sometimes has its plusses when scrounging 'old' parts)

[skdvr]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

Actually, my favorite is a nice AC gear motor. Tons of torque and nice easy pulley setups.

Where might one find a AC gear motor???

Phil

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by skdvr

Where might one find a AC gear motor???

Phil

For me, I have around 10 of them sitting on a shelf at work. For others, there's E-bay:
gear motor, Electrical Test Equipment, Parts Accessories items on eBay.com