Renzetti DC gearbox motor conversion
Posted by:
Jon Hood
(---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)
Date: December 16, 2018 01:51PM
Hello all,
I have recently gone through the process of changing the power setup on my Renzetti Craftsman with a DC mini gearbox motor. I wanted to post the data of this conversion if anyone is considering the change over.
What made me want to look for other options than the 1/10 hp motor that I bought with the wrapper was to gain more control(on the lower RPM side), use the wrapper as a dryer, reverse rotation directions without changing motors, and achieve these things using just 1 motor. I ended up with a Mini DC gearbox motor with a control center as well as a foot control pedal that is not spring loaded, so I don't have to think about keeping my foot on the pedal and controlling the speed - I can set it with my foot and relax until I'm ready to stop or change speeds.
I tried several different motors before I found one that worked for my requirements. Below I will list the motors I tested and what I thought of each.
1. 800 RPM - More than required high end speed, started to abruptly for my liking when wrapping thread, could not get it to the slow end speed of 9 - 14 RPM speed for drying - the motor would stop.
2. 220 RPM - Plenty of high end speed, started much more smoothly, still wasn't comfortable with the low RPM's - I was afraid of the motor stalling when drying.
3. 100 RPM - Not enough high end speed for the way I like to apply finish, started very smooth, low speed RPM was easily set around 5 RPM (I dry at 9 - 12 RPM) if desired ( So this one was perfect on the low end, but I wanted more speed for finishing)
4. 150 RPM - Good high end speed for finishing as well as long wraps, starts very smoothly, Low end RPM's perfect.
So, as you can see, the 150 RPM mini gearbox motor is perfect for my needs. Below are the RPM speeds of the rod blank for each belt location on the step pulleys.
Drive pulley to Head stock pulley - smallest to largest - 5 RPM TO 55 RPM
Drive pulley to Head stock pulley - middle to middle - 10 RPM to 91 RPM
Drive pulley to Head stock pulley - largest to smallest - 12 RPM to 135 RPM
All the above speeds were of the rod blank. So I can actually apply finish, slow down the speed to dry, and not even change the the belt location. With this conversion I received a control center ( which I think is the best part of the whole deal !!!!)
The control center is mounted in the center support cabinet(no door) so I can reach it from anywhere along the bench. I can turn on/off the power, reverse the rotation direction, operate the foot control, or set the speed with a dial.
The only thing I can't do with this setup is sanding or grip shaping, but I do not do this with this wrapper anyway. I do it outside on a mini lathe and mandrels or if on a rod I setup an old pac bay wrapper with the 1/10 hp motor that came with it.
I just wanted to post this information for anyone wants a little more control on an already AWESOME power wrapper! If anyone has any questions or wants info on the control center and how to get one - just ask. I did not build any of this system.
Jon Hood
