Old GE motor

R

running bird

Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Messages
481
I’ve been working on cleaning out my grinder motor and was wonder if anyone could help me with some info on it. It’s an old GE motor, all I know about it is what’s stamped on the side. It’s 115v 1725rpm “Home Laundry Motor”. There is a spot where the HP should be listed but it’s blank, and a spot where GE’s code for the motor should be, also blank. I tried searching the model number (5KC46MD23X) everywhere I could think of. I tried searching the specs listed on the side. Ive found nothing on it. Only info I’ve found was a PDF that confirmed it was indeed a GE model number... not too helpful.

I’ve had this motor for 6 years now. Used to be on a small bench grinder as I bought it, now it’s been on my 2x42 for about a year. I’ve never had it slow down or jam up on me while grinding. And it doesn’t get too hot, as it’s housing it pretty open. But I do have to make sure to blow it out with the compressor after I use it and I’ve made a hood for it to help block out any dust while grinding.

If anyone has any info on this motor it would be greatly appreciated.

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Backup link for the pictures: https://imgur.com/a/fxhBhn4



hope y’all are doing well, I’ve been taking a break from Internet so haven’t been here in a bit. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute here in shop talk a bit more soon,
Kevin
 
Can’t tell you much about the motor. But it does say 115V and 7A

That’s about 800W or 1hp. Dunno if that’s helpful.
 
It has 7 stamped for the amperage rating. I don't know it this is the locked rotor current or working current. I suspect locked rotor.
At 7 Amps and 115Vac this would indicate 1.1HP. Most washing machine motors I've dealt with are 1/2 to 3/4 Hp.
I'm surprised you haven't fried the motor yet. Generally open frame motors collect metal dust and filings until they short out something inside the motor and then go out in a flash of burning metal powder. This can lead to other things catching on fire, which can be very distracting and will most likely mess up your grind lines. LOL
For safety reasons You might consider buying a TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) motor avoid the risk.
Jim A.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I didn’t realize you could calculate the hp like that. Helps out a lot to at least know what it is.

As for the open frame, I try to keep after is as much as possible. I went about it as just trying to keep it clean. But I don’t know how I didn’t consider the other hazards...

I’ll definitely start looking for a new motor knowing that. I really like the feel of this motor so I’ll check for one with similar specs. For now I’ll keep the hood on it even when I’m not using it and clean it out a bit better before I use it again.
 
Yep, just as Stacy says, use about 75% of the theoretical number to get actual hp. That looks like an old open frame 3/4 hp washing machine motor. Keep blowing it out each time you use it and it might well last several years. I would be keeping my eyes open for a 3ph motor around 1hp or even 1.5hp to use with VFD. Until you've used a variable speed grinder you have no idea how much better they are over a step pulley setup.
 
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