Japanese barber pole

[geofflove]

This one’s a bit off topic so please remove if inappropriate. However I’m sure there will be people here who are interested and may be able to offer advice.

I purchased a Japanese barber pole nonworking. On opening it up I was expecting a synchronous motor. However there is no self-contained unit within the pole. There is a coil that appears to act on an aluminium disc see pictures. I am guessing this works a little bit like a linear motor of sorts. The coil is open circuit. The pole is designed to run on 100 V. I was hoping to strip the coil and rewind it in a way suitable to run onto 240 V. However I need to be able to calculate the gauge of wire to use in order for it to operate correctly. I can calculate the resistance and current for a given type of wire. However I don’t know what current to aim for in order to get this working properly and safely. Has anyone got any ideas on what I should be aiming for and how this Motor actually operate. Any ideas gratefully received thank you.

[badpenny]

Wowsers!
Of no use to you at all, but what a beasty!
It looks like half a coconut hung under a brake disc.

The only things I know concerning linear electrics is that I remember the Mag Lev shuttle at Elmdon Airport, and if you shove enough sparks through an unravelled one you can launch jet fighters off a ship's deck.
Using one to spin a Barber's Pole had not occurred to me.
Do keep us updated on this please, in fact I'd like a comprehensive report on my desk by 8.30 am Thursday.

Thanks for posting.
BP

[moonriver]

This kind of silent and frictionless motor is used on many vintage US signs, I have a newish one somewhere, on 110 v

[brigham]

Also used on direct-drive radiogram turntables in 78rpm days, AND in the famous Los Angeles ACME traffic signals.

(PS. You might try a vintage radio forum for help.)

[geofflove]

Thanks for suggestions.

I’ve found this article which might give me a few pointers on how to tackle it. Will be a few weeks till I get a chance to sort it (got to go on holiday and then build a downstairs loo first!) but will be fun to try and get it going.

https://sound-au.com/clocks/ocm.html

[tallstory]

Why not use a transformer to produce US 120V from our mains voltage? It would be a lot easier to do it this way, and you keep it in original condition.

[brigham]

https://sound-au.com/clocks/ocm.html

That website is infamous in clock collectors circles.
It discourages new people from restoring and using vintage synchronous clocks, spreading unfounded tales of danger and destruction.
The title of the article says it all:
"Making Old Synchronous Clocks Safe to Use"
Old synchronous clocks already ARE safe to use.
A fanatic, and like all fanatics, best avoided.

[geofflove]

Yes I sort of was guessing that. However, the bit about rewinding for a different voltage might be useful in my case.

[geofflove]

Why not use a transformer to produce US 120V from our mains voltage? It would be a lot easier to do it this way, and you keep it in original condition.

I could do that. But currently the coil is open circuit. I need to peel some of the wrapping off to see if there is an obvious break near the surface which could be repaired. Otherwise it will need rewinding regardless. And if I’m doing I can see the advantage in rewinding for a lower voltage maybe.

[coppinpr]

...then build a downstairs loo first!) but will be fun to try and get it going.

The pole or the downstairs loo?

Love the pole! Certainly not out of place on this forum.

[coppinpr]

they are bloody expencive to buy!!

https://thekairoscollective.com/japanes ... -3087.html

[geofflove]

Well it’s done! After stripping back the cloth on the coil I manage to expose a broken wire so connected new wires and re wrapped with cloth and varnished. I was wondering about the voltage thing as I found a 240 v bulb in it so wondered if it had previously been converted. I used a variac to gradually increase the voltage and monitored the current. All runs fine and cool at 240v. Rewired the rest and improved the earthing. Changed to an led bulb and did some polishing. All good. Have to say it looks amazing. I just wish I had s space for it! And yes they do appear to sell for a good price which is handy as I might need to with nowhere to put it!