I hope someone can tell me there is an easy way to tell what voltage a motor is wired up for. I have a 2 hp compressor motor that has wires coming out of it that could be for 115 or 230 volts. The motor is made for both voltages. There is not a diagram or anything that I can see on or in the motor that tells you what tremanils are for what voltage. What will happen if it is set for 230 volt and I hook it up to 115? Will it burn up the motor? also the other way around set up for 115 and I go with 230 which is what I would like to run it on. This a BIG old GE motor and I would really like to use it rather than a new one I have. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

Thanks Wes

-- Wes (wswiii@worldnet.att.net), February 17, 2002

Answers

How many wires Wes? Maybe 4? Does the motor have a capacitor (aka condensor)? Does the motor have brushes or commutator, a commutator is a thing on the shaft, probably visible through cooling holes, that looks like a number of copper segments arranged around the shaft.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), February 17, 2002.

Normally, wires number 3 and 7 interchange for this conversion, also red and black (same thing), instructions areon the inside of the cover plate of the wire exchange plate - this a guide line - not guaranteed by any means.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 17, 2002.

If you don't find the diagram inside the plate, it might be the best investment to take it to an electric motor shop. Should not cost much, & they know how to trace out the wires, can mark them for you for the future...

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 17, 2002.

Describe how many wires and what color they are and if there are any numbers printed on the wires. This may give us a better ideal of how to hook it up.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 17, 2002.

No real answer here, just another question: Could it really hurt the motor if it WERE a 220-240V, and you wired it into 110-120V to test it?

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), February 17, 2002.

Ok I got it going. Nothing was wrong it was wired for 220. I took it to a motor shop and they hooked it up to a machine and shome how figured it out. Guy said this motor is a good one.

Thanks for all your help.

Wes

-- Wes (wswiii@worldnet.att.net), February 22, 2002.