Electric boiler agitator

[acfixer69]

Man that looks sweet shady. I know I got one of those not ready for the junk box but can't remember last time I used it so I won't miss it. Really nice job

[shadylane]

I figure gear reduction would help the air motor work better
But first, I need to make sure the seals work

[Kareltje]

Among other things this thread clearly shows: never throw anything away! Keep it somewhere where you can find it again.

[shadylane]

never throw anything away! Keep it somewhere where you can find it again.

I've got the "never throw anything away" covered
The finding it again requires lots of time

[Kareltje]

ROFL.

Once I had a landlord with the same problem. He needed some thing, he knew where it was, even: in the back of a fully stuffed garage. So he decided to buy it again.

You found some things again, didn't you. Unexpectedly, but all the more making you happy.

[hpby98]

Throwing out a jiffy mixer

http://jiffymixer.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

304 Stainless mixer. Lots of different sizes. Excellent build quality.

[shadylane]

After making a run with the agitator. Here's something I didn't think about.
Agitating the wash, allows more power to be used before the boiler foams up and pukes

[shadylane]

Can water be used to spin an air-motor

[Yummyrum]

you're a legend Shady
got any close ups on how you coupled that rattle gun to the shaft .That would be my undoing .

hows the noise when its running ...guessing it might mask a thumper .

I like your water thinking . ....could make it a whole lot quieter .

What about steam

[steelmb]

you're a legend Shady
got any close ups on how you coupled that rattle gun to the shaft .That would be my undoing .

hows the noise when its running ...guessing it might mask a thumper .

I like your water thinking . ....could make it a whole lot quieter .

What about steam

Just run the output from your boiler through it before the condenser.

[shadylane]

got any close ups on how you coupled that rattle gun to the shaft

The "rattle gun" was already drilled and taped.
I drilled a 1/4" hole for the shaft it stick in

[shadylane]

Can water be used to spin an air-motor

Busted
Don't know about all air-motors, but this one didn't run worth a damn on water
I think the speed control valve doesn't let enought water flow
Another problem, it would leak water all over the boiler

[acfixer69]

Can water be used to spin an air-motor

Hell I though you were joking. Air tools need oiling after each use because of moisture in the compressed air. That's why they have air driers in the lines after the compressor. Speed of air cfm to water cfm is not going to happen.

[steelmb]

Can water be used to spin an air-motor

Hell I though you were joking. Air tools need oiling after each use because of moisture in the compressed air. That's why they have air driers in the lines after the compressor. Speed of air cfm to water cfm is not going to happen.

Not only that the fluid(air or water) being used needs to expand as the motor rotates. Water will not work for this reason. Steam would work but is a very bad choice with no real gain and lots of drawbacks to using it.

[shadylane]

Can water be used to spin an air-motor

Hell I though you were joking.

Now Ya tell me

[shadylane]

Here's another hair-brained idea
Use a brushless DC motor to spin the agitator
Some thing similar to this
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbypower-1000k ... B99CTMKJ1Z" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Kareltje]

Ah, now I see. You want to prevent sparks near a flammable fluid/gas.

I forgot what it is called, but there is a construction like the cage of Faraday that works to contain flames. It was used in coalmines around the lights and the grind on Bunsen-buirners serves the same purpose.
(Sorry: it is late for me and I used my product.)

[bronctoad]

Am I missing some thing here? why do you want a DC motor to begin with?
wouldn't an AC motor with a cheap speed controller be a safer and more
controllable set-up? or a totally enclosed DC motor, brushless or not?
edit addition: Sorry shady loggged on to say the D.A. motor conversion was way cool
got lost after that but repurposing junk for re-use is my drug of choice
Way to go
bronctoad

[shadylane]

I'm playing around with different options for a DIY agitator
The professional agitators use expensive AC gearmotors and a VFD for speed control
Enclosed brushed motors have a problem with Ozone attacking the insulation
Air motors a LOUD and inefficent, next on the list of possiblities are stepper motors and brushless DC

[hellbilly007]

I figured if I'd ever build an agitator I'd use one of these https://www.amazon.com/Stepper-Motor-26 ... ref=plSrch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. That should be plenty of torque to move through the thickest of muck.

[shadylane]

I figured if I'd ever build an agitator I'd use one of these https://www.amazon.com/Stepper-Motor-26 ... ref=plSrch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. That should be plenty of torque to move through the thickest of muck.

That's what I'm thinking also
The down side of a stepper motor, is it needs a controller and the controller needs a DC supply

[shadylane]

hows the noise when its running ...guessing it might mask a thumper

It reminds me of some of the punk rock bands I've heard.
The motor shrieks, the seal squeaks and the prop-shaft rattles.
And the thumper supplys the drummer
Figure it's time to try using a stepper motor.
I'll need the motor, DC power supply, Driver and a signal generator to drive the driver
The parts are on order

[shadylane]

While I'm waiting for parts, figured I'd design a new speed controller

[shadylane]

Yes, that's heat shrink used for a coupler
I don't have all the parts yet, so I'm doing a prototype

[shadylane]

As for the motor: a friend used the motor of a windshieldwiper. Alternating movement already build in.

Those work good for turning a rummager

[Jeff34]

What are you using for a shaft seal? I plan to make an agitator using a brushless DC gearmotor. Speed control from a power supply for now. Not sure how I seal on the 1/4” shaft.

[shadylane]

Here's a couple picts
The tube came from a corny keg
The compression coupling from my junk box

[der wo]

What are you using for a shaft seal? I plan to make an agitator using a brushless DC gearmotor. Speed control from a power supply for now. Not sure how I seal on the 1/4” shaft.

There is no need for a shaft seal, if the shaft bushing is always immersed into the wash. It has to be a long bushing of course when usig this method. See the link in my signature.

[shadylane]

Here's a couple picts
The tube came from a corny keg
The compression coupling from my junk box

[shadylane]

The pressure seal is the shaft bushing being immersed in the wash
The homemade top seal stops the little bet of leakage