View Full Version : What is going to "Blow" first?
Belt, motor bearings, tub bearings or motor?
I took my slow doggy spin Unimacs and changed the factory 2.65" O.D. drive pulleys to 3.36" O.D. pulleys for a almost 27% increase in the spin cycle.
surfflite
02-16-2011, 02:21 PM
If you increased the diameter of the small pulley, you will DECREASE your RPM's so my guess is you will have the belt, motor bearings, tub bearings or motors lasting 27% longer.
I changed the drive pulley, not the driven pulley.
Jefflange
02-16-2011, 03:55 PM
Why would you do this?
epic02
02-16-2011, 04:31 PM
Why would you do this?
So the clothes will wash quicker and people will get out faster :)
surfflite
02-16-2011, 05:14 PM
I think he has a little Tim "tool time" Taylor in him.
Adamski
02-16-2011, 05:29 PM
...I took my slow doggy spin Unimacs and changed the factory 2.65" O.D. drive pulleys to 3.36" O.D. pulleys for a almost 27% increase in the spin cycle.
KJ,
What you did was increase the extract speed. This means you also increased the g force inside the basket. This means you also increased the stresses on the main bearings, main shaft, trunnion housing and A frame. This means the bearings could fail or the shaft could fail or the frame could crack or some other calamity could befall you.
Please let us know which of these happens first.
James2011
02-16-2011, 07:16 PM
Belt, motor bearings, tub bearings or motor?
I took my slow doggy spin Unimacs and changed the factory 2.65" O.D. drive pulleys to 3.36" O.D. pulleys for a almost 27% increase in the spin cycle.
don't worry, it's your m/c, so you can put 4.0" or 5.0O.D., no one bother you, there is no law that can prevent you from doing those things...next time, try put 2.0" O.D
laundry8me
02-16-2011, 09:10 PM
Call Unimac and ask if your change is within the engineering specs the machine was deigned around.
Duane
02-17-2011, 12:34 AM
But wouldn't that also speed up the agitation during the wash cycle? Instead of the clothes tumbling in the water they would probably stick to the outside of the tub and the customer wouldn't get a good wash.
Jefflange
02-17-2011, 10:16 AM
waste of time.
Howard
02-17-2011, 11:23 AM
Let us know how it works out, might be an interesting experiment. I don't think it will speed up the total time for the machine as the "TIMER" controls that. It should give you a better extract, if the machine can tolerate the strain.
But wouldn't that also speed up the agitation during the wash cycle? Instead of the clothes tumbling in the water they would probably stick to the outside of the tub and the customer wouldn't get a good wash.
All this was checked side by side with another unconverted machine.
That was my thought if it increased the low end too much the clothes would not tumble and fall.
Let us know how it works out, might be an interesting experiment. I don't think it will speed up the total time for the machine as the "TIMER" controls that. It should give you a better extract, if the machine can tolerate the strain.
Yes it is a timer controlled machine so it does not speed up the total time.
I already sped up the time by 7-8 minutes by installing 3/4" full flow water valves and hoses to make the machines fill faster. These machines do not advance the timer till the water level is satisfied.
I think it will take the strain fine as I change motor and tub bearings as soon as I detect a slight rumble or squeal.
Why would you do this?
Anybody that has owned Unimacs knows the extract cycle is a little slow and clothes come out a little drippy sometimes.
Jefflange
02-17-2011, 09:03 PM
I have many unimac and maytag AT machines and they spin out fine. Are u sure your drain hoses are clear?
I have many unimac and maytag AT machines and they spin out fine. Are u sure your drain hoses are clear?
Drains are fine. They are cleaned all the time.
If the drains were slow they would not complete the 4 minute final spin and they all do.
I think the factory extract speed on these are 360 RPM and a G force of maybe 85 if I remember correctly.
Jefflange
02-18-2011, 12:10 AM
All my machines huebsch,unimac and wascos are between 85g and 90g. No customer complaints.
Adamski
02-18-2011, 10:11 AM
All my machines huebsch,unimac and wascos are between 85g and 90g. No customer complaints.
Jeff,
I agree, an 85 g extract is a very good extract and customers will not complain. In fact, my customers cannot tell the difference between an 85 g extract and a 140 g extract (although I can).
Laundry_Mike
02-18-2011, 12:38 PM
Why would any sane person want to put more stress on your machine's motors and bearings for a non distinguisable difference? This modification makes absolutly no sense at all. Changing the pulley size will not increase your customer base or bottom line. If you have clothes coming out "drippy" - repair your equipment.
laundry8me
02-18-2011, 07:08 PM
Drains are fine. They are cleaned all the time.
If the drains were slow they would not complete the 4 minute final spin and they all do.
I think the factory extract speed on these are 360 RPM and a G force of maybe 85 if I remember correctly.
Maybe a longer spin time would fix the problem. Why not make the final spin 7 minutes? This could be a very easy fix for your drippy problems.
Maybe a longer spin time would fix the problem. Why not make the final spin 7 minutes? This could be a very easy fix for your drippy problems.
Drippy may not be the best word to describe the clothes.
Lets just say they are wetter than I think they can be.
As far as I know there are only 2 settings on the final spin depending on how you wire the timer. 2 OR 4 minutes. Let me know if you know something I do not about the timer.
Well, After numerous test loads the clothes coming out of the converted machines average 18% less water than the unconverted ones.
Laundry_Mike
02-21-2011, 04:19 PM
Well, After numerous test loads the clothes coming out of the converted machines average 18% less water than the unconverted ones.
Just out of curiosity, how do you calculate the percentage of moisture content?
epic02
02-21-2011, 04:54 PM
Drains are fine. They are cleaned all the time.
If the drains were slow they would not complete the 4 minute final spin and they all do.
I think the factory extract speed on these are 360 RPM and a G force of maybe 85 if I remember correctly.
KJ I believe you drains are still not clear. I have Unimac machines and if there is a clog in the line it will still complete the cycle and clothes will come out wet. Why dont you do this instead of all the other things your doing. Start the machine let it fill up and soon as it stops to fill have someone cut the power. Count how many seconds it takes for the water to drain. Let us know
Just out of curiosity, how do you calculate the percentage of moisture content?
(Test load) 35 pounds of mixed dry clothing.
Washed in washer A (unconverted) comes out 60 pounds
Same load washed in washer B (converted) comes out 55 pounds
Washer A spun out all but 25 pounds of water
Washer B spun out all but 20 pounds of water
20 = 80% of 25 or 20 % less
I know 5 lbs. doesn't sound like much but it is over 1/2 gallon of water.
Also keep in mind this was done as an experiment to make these dogs extract water a little better. If parts start to break they will be fixed and converted back to factory. I'm fine with that.
If nobody ever tried to make something a little better we would all be driving model A's around
KJ I believe you drains are still not clear. I have Unimac machines and if there is a clog in the line it will still complete the cycle and clothes will come out wet. Why dont you do this instead of all the other things your doing. Start the machine let it fill up and soon as it stops to fill have someone cut the power. Count how many seconds it takes for the water to drain. Let us know
Like I said before the drains are fine.
If the tub and drain box are empty and it goes into the complete 4 minute spin
the drains are fine and clear.
There are also many models of Unimacs 50/60 hertz, 1PH/2PH, different motors, different pulleys. Just because yours are Unimacs doesn't mean they are the same.
epic02
02-22-2011, 12:33 PM
KJ what does it hurt to time how fast the machine drains?
I've seen a number of times where the machine will go into final spin and look empty, and to find the clothes to come out wet. Only to find a small sock or something caught in the hose after the drain valve. I believe this is where you'll find your problem cause you other machines are spinning out fine. If your machines are going into final spun with water in them your going to need bearing jobs sooner then you think. Don't blame it on the pulley.
sloassmac
05-04-2011, 01:19 AM
I've been reading a lot of your post, trying to gain a little knowledge for my new venture. So far, I have to say this is the most entertaining post I have run across. Supercharged, I like it! But I think your running a big risk. I know I'm new and I know my opinion might not be considered but... I think your dramatically underestimating the engineers who design the machines. Point being, engineers use a scale of reliability vs cost to chose parts for manufacturing the machine. I.E lightest parts possible to last and get the job done. Unless the manufacture overbuilds his machines, your going to burn them up. I think a perfect example is cars that are supercharged. You knock down that pulley size and you have an instant boost of pressure, BUT...everything else is not engineered to keep up with the increase. Result: blown head gaskets, bent rods, etc. I know that your asking this question because you realize the risk, but in my opinion, its going to take a lot of half gallons of water to make up for one $100 or $200 dollar part.
Adamski
05-05-2011, 01:38 PM
mac,
Your post reminds me of a plane crash that happened perhaps 25 years ago. A multi-engine rated pilot came to my local airport to pick up a twin-engine airplane and fly it back home. This particular twin was turbo-charged which is a lot bigger deal in an airplane than it is in a car. Anyway, this pilot was not familiar with flying a turbo-charged plane and he accidentally over-boosted both engines on take-off. Both engines failed and the plane crashed within a mile or so of the airport. The pilot, who was the only one on board, died in the crash.
Machinery is designed to perform in a certain way under certain conditions. When extreme conditions are intentionally or accidentally exerted on a machine, bad things can and do happen. I saw those airplane engines afterward and the cylinders were blown apart.
sloassmac
05-05-2011, 02:56 PM
mac,
Your post reminds me of a plane crash that happened perhaps 25 years ago. A multi-engine rated pilot came to my local airport to pick up a twin-engine airplane and fly it back home. This particular twin was turbo-charged which is a lot bigger deal in an airplane than it is in a car. Anyway, this pilot was not familiar with flying a turbo-charged plane and he accidentally over-boosted both engines on take-off. Both engines failed and the plane crashed within a mile or so of the airport. The pilot, who was the only one on board, died in the crash.
Machinery is designed to perform in a certain way under certain conditions. When extreme conditions are intentionally or accidentally exerted on a machine, bad things can and do happen. I saw those airplane engines afterward and the cylinders were blown apart.
I've heard of that happening, its a real crappy way to go. While were talking about airplanes, That was like a crash here a while back. This plane was being picked up by a new owner, I was a single engine race plane from what I had heard. Real small, short wings, huge motor and he had no experience flying a plane like that. Upon takeoff he gave it too much power and the torque from the engine twisted the plane into a roll causing him to crash. I've heard that its common to balance this action in a single engine plane but this guy wasn't prepared for the power.
Howard
05-05-2011, 03:02 PM
I am not familiar with the specifics of these machine, but I would bet it can take a lot more stress than it is designd to support. If it is like older Wasco machines with a solid frame I bet it can take the extra stress.
Taking about stresses on these machines, I have seen regular and high extract on machines that look the same -- are the frames different on these machines or do they just put a bigger faster motor in it?
Adamski
05-05-2011, 05:02 PM
I've heard of that happening, its a real crappy way to go. While were talking about airplanes, That was like a crash here a while back. This plane was being picked up by a new owner, I was a single engine race plane from what I had heard. Real small, short wings, huge motor and he had no experience flying a plane like that. Upon takeoff he gave it too much power and the torque from the engine twisted the plane into a roll causing him to crash. I've heard that its common to balance this action in a single engine plane but this guy wasn't prepared for the power.
mac,
In a single engine plane, the plane will want to go to the left as power is applied on take-off. This is caused by the downward moving propeller blade producing more power than the upward moving propeller blade which is on the left side of the plane's center line. This turning tendency is normally counter-acted by applying right rudder to keep the plane tracking the runway's centerline as it lifts off. Obviously, the more powerful the engine, the greater the left turning tendency and the more rudder pressure that needs to be applied.
In the crash you described, it almost sounds like the plane had too little rudder surface for the too much horsepower engine.
I am not familiar with the specifics of these machine, but I would bet it can take a lot more stress than it is designd to support. If it is like older Wasco machines with a solid frame I bet it can take the extra stress.
Taking about stresses on these machines, I have seen regular and high extract on machines that look the same -- are the frames different on these machines or do they just put a bigger faster motor in it?
Believe me these tanks will take a few more rpm's
Over 2000 turns. Not 1 belt, bearing or motor has blown.