Wadkin Switch

[nathandavies]

So I don't like to keep things simple.

But any answers need to be simple for me to understand.

I'm not totally happy with the way off the shelf on/off switches look.

So I've been looking at stuff on rs online. some nice boxes, some nice buttons, but wtf am I supposed to be putting inside? (switch wise)

I've been trying to search online allnight but can't seem to search the right terms etc. (is this what Saturday nights have turned into?)

If you can tell me what I should be looking for, and how to work out the spec, without me providing specific figures, as it won't be just one machine.

thanks to anyone with any help

nathan

 

[Berncarpenter]

Hi Nathan try looking for motor starters

Cheers Bern.

 

[nathandavies]

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/?searchT ... r+starters

 

[nathandavies]

:shock:

 

[Berncarpenter]

Sorry Nathan its late and i didn't read your post properly ignore my post i think its time for me to get some shut eye #-o

Cheers Bern.

 

[Andy RV]

Well you need a number of things, you need a starter unit, usually called a DOL stater, these contain all of the magnetic switches and normally some form of overload to protection. This is all you need between your motor and the power supply to simply turn it on and off.

Now these are quite big and ugly units so what you can do is hide them inside the machine and then run a secondary set of controls from them, this is normally a small enclosure box with a couple of push buttons. The wiring is easy for this.
What you need to be aware off is you buy the push buttons in 2 parts, you've got the actually button unit then the electrical contact block, these come in two forms, NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open).

A NO contact block is attached to your start button, you press the button, the contact energizes and closes completing the circuit, the motor is now running, you press the stop button which has a NC contact, this opens breaking the circuit, any NO contacts have now loss power so they open, the motor stops. You can also connect a E-Stop into this system.

These push buttons are connected to the DOL by 3 wires normally (I think!), so you can use twin and earth if you want!

Another option if you're running 3 phase is the use of VFD's or digital inverts as they are more commonly known over here, these give you far more control, variable speed, ramp up, ramp down, braking ect ect...

 

[wizard]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEM-push-...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item19e4444fdf

 

[tool613]

:shock:

Nathan

A good place to start is with Bobs(9fingers ) PFD on what one needs to know of motors and switches . tells all you need to know. I tend to like the old switch gear by Brook Hurst myself.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bob.minchi ... Issue2.pdf

othere good reading though its american may be helpful in the understading of machine control.

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Magnet ... ained.ashx.

Just a bit of reading and than ask more questions, :lol:
What the switch switching?

jack
English machines

 

[nathandavies]

Great help.

Thanks guys. I need to get a couple of bits for my edgebander (Old but not Wadkin old). I thought I would try and save on delivery by getting some other stuff that I don't have the time to use right away but will hopefully be needing soon. Ended up being a bit of a headf**k. Brain bleeding trying to work out the capacitors I need for another couple of machines as well. I seem to only buy machines that need something doing to them.

Jack the switches are for nothing spectacular, just a wadkin bgy1 sander and a wadkin bra ras. the sander I just want to get up and running, but the bra I may do a resto on. it's going to be a dedicated dado headed crosscut. and not in a great rush to get it going. (luckily)(not forgotten)

nathan

 

[SammyQ]

Nathan, I think I have one of the MEM switches listed above. If you are interested in an 'authentic' look for your Wadkin, PM me and I'll have a shufti on my shed's storage shelves. I'll take an average Ebay price, plus postage if it's in anyway decent nick.

Sam

 

[nathandavies]

Thanks Sammy, Got the sander going today, on the original electrics (ish, I bypassed something). are those switches as safe as modern ones? can I change the stuff inside? sorry for the questions, it's a new science to me. What's the postage like from Belfast? Difficult to get a price off e-bay, that one seemed to get good money, saw another one go for 99p. pm me what you want, and of anything else that may be of interest/ you want to get rid of.

 

[SammyQ]

Let me check my shed tonight Nathan; postage is whatever Royal Mail wants. As to connections, one of Jack Cox's books has detailed photos and descriptions, or, be nice to Myfordman? He's quite approachable!

Sam

 

[SammyQ]

Sorry for the delay Nathan, all-engulfing chaos and palaver with grown-up children...

Anyway, I've located the MEM switch I remember and I regret to say I'm not sure it will do. It's 240Volt, max 8 amps, AND it's not the rounded corners/round raised buttons of my AGS for example, it's a squared-off casing, SQUARE buttons. See photos below; sorry they're a bit blurry, I was barely awake and didn't notice detail until I had the post in. What size and phase are your intended motors? Will the style sit well with your machines?

I'll weigh the brute today in work, try to get some idea of costs for mailing.

Sam