Simple way to drive a BLDC Motor?

lmarch

1 µW
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May 19, 2022
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Hello!

What is a simple way to drive a BLDC washing machine motor?

I'm working on modifying a washing machine into a salad spinner for my urban farm (kind of like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIWfzCKl1p0&t=631s)

Today, after taking the machine mostly apart, I realized that the machine I got does not have a regular 120V AC motor, but instead has a 3-phase BLDC motor. (Well, crap!)

So now I'm trying to figure out whether there's a way I can drive this motor without the (annoyingly overcomplicated) washing machine controller. My constraints are:

1. Cost: the solution needs to cost less than just buying another machine (say $100, since that's what I paid for this machine.)
2. Time: the solution needs to take less than two hours to hook up and get running. I'm pressed for time with my first harvest coming up very soon; much as I like tinkering, I don't have time here.
3. Waiting for parts: I need to get this running in less than two weeks (preferably sooner... but within two weeks would work.)

I've done a bunch of reading and research this afternoon; FWIW it's a Maytag model mvwb750wq1.

What I haven't been able to find is what kind of voltage and power is needed to drive it. I was looking for BLDC controllers and found this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bewinner-Controller-WS55-220-Performance-Brushless/dp/B07TRTVLCP/ref=sr_1_19?crid=36AFUAMU5ZG3O&keywords=BLDC+Controller&qid=1652995399&s=industrial&sprefix=bldc+controller%2Cindustrial%2C106&sr=1-19

But I have no idea if the specs are even close to being right.

All I need is for it to turn on and off and run at the highest speed.

Any tips or pointers would be most appreciated
 
Well, looks like a can of worms to me. What is wrong with the existing controller. Set it to run, it fills the basket with water, flip it to drain it drains.

It would help if you could show us a photo of what you have.

Around here we drive our motors on batteries. Are you going battery powered? Otherwise a power supply of some sort is needed.

Let me think: 120 volts x 15 amps equals 1800 watts, so a 2000 watt 15 amp controller might move your motor if you have the phase wires wired in the proper sequence.....No guarantees of course. The question is how are you going to supply the DC voltage the controller would want?

https://www.amazon.com/2000W-10-50V-Motor-Control-Controller/dp/B07L15FSBR

:D :bolt:
 
Just use any hobby grade ESC for a drone or radio control helicopter, ? There are many, many, many.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I can run a "drain and spin" cycle (which is what I've been doing so far), but it takes 3x as long as it needs to, and I have to keep all the accessories (pumps, lid lock) attached and in working condition.

It is useable though, so that extends my timeline of finding an alternate controller to be less urgent.

Here's some photos of the motor:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SyqLj6eNqWWTnJxy5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AJqQLWWnzKEvKQzZ8


Voltage seems to be between 10 and 160 V; usually it's around 130 but occasionally peaks in the 150-160 range.

I came across this controller, which looked interesting: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313141575198

As far as the hobby grade ESC's -- where would you find one that does 150 V? Most of the ones I came across topped out at 70 or 80 V.
 
What is the AC line voltage in your part of the world?

Where on your AC line are you measuring your voltages?

Is it AC or DC voltage.

Why haven't you disconnected the wires that go to the lid switch and jumper-ed them together so the machine thinks the lid is down?

If you are working around 230AC, be extra careful!!!

:D :bolt:
 
AC voltage here in Michigan is 120V.

I measured the voltages between two of the three motor leads. I measured with the AC setting of my multimeter.

Unfortunately it's more than just a lid switch, it's a lid lock; the controller knows when it's locked when it should be unlocked, and when it's unlocked when it should be locked.
 
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