John,

I have a Centec 2B horizontal machine , to which I added the Vertical head , and I love it.

Since I have No knowledge of electrics, my ( late and much missed ) friend kindly wired a reversing switch, purchased from eBay , and sourced from China, to my motor which is single phase.

So, yes it can be done , just ensure a competent person does it for you.

David.

Edited By D.A.G. on 21/11/2015 22:39:20

I'm happy to be corrected, but from my experience i think you will find a 1/4HP motor significantly lacking in power on a Centec mill.

I'd look at this first as to be honest i think you will need another motor.

Congratulations on your purchase though , i have a Centec as well and think there great machines.

John

If you have 3 wires and your instructions are telling you you need to swap over two connections to change rotation , then you will have a 3 phase motor fitted to your machine

Have you 3 phase in your workshop.

Regards

Ivan

You said the motor is a Crompton Parkinson single phase motor. I have just had a look at my motor note book and it says a split phase or capacitor start motor can be reversed by changing over wires BLACK and BLUE. I made a picture of the terminal block and there was three terminals A, Z and AZ. To make a split phase into a cap start remove the link between A and AZ and its place fit the capacitor. Others more knowledgeable than me on the Centec machine suggest you need a larger motor, so it maybe time to fit an inverter and three phase motor. John

According to lathes co uk it should be fitted with a 1/2 to 3/4 hp motor either 1400 or 2800 rpm. The higher speed motor might only relate to more recent versions. I would have said that even with morse 2 a 1/2hp motor is preferable.

Personally with a 6 speed gearbox built in I wouldn't bother going to 3 phase and an inverter but would wonder about fitting a single phase 2800rpm motor and would stick with 1400 rpm.

It's possible to buy fwd / off / rev switches. For instance

**LINK**

Really there should be a no volts release switch in circuit before these to meet modern safety standards however there will be older machines about where people have to remember to use the switch to turn it off if there is a power supply interruption.

The 3/4hp option is probably for when a 2,800 rpm motor is fitted. Lathes co aren't clear on that point.

John

–

Edited By John W1 on 22/11/2015 11:31:50

Edited By John W1 on 22/11/2015 11:37:16

John

I think I can see a Blue conductor going to the Z terminal and certainly a Yellow conductor on AZ, to reverse the motor change these over. (Yellow to Z and Blue to AZ)

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 22/11/2015 18:01:53