DC Motor Swap?

[Derek Arita]

I'm wondering...if one has a DC with a lesser known motor, say a 2HP, would it be worth the effort to swap it for a Baldor, if and when the original motor dies? Is it direct swap or is it more involved than that?

[Malcolm McLeod]

...worth the effort to swap it for a Baldor...

As far as effort is concerned, any compatible motor will involve very nearly identical effort, both physical and time-wise, to swap. Regardless of manufacturer.

If you are asking about financial 'effort', that gets much more complicated and I suspect will largely be determined by how much you run the DC. Short of a free Baldor, you would have to run the DC for several hours a day to get a decent return on the investment in a premium efficiency Baldor.

If you are going to swap motors, make sure the new one has compatible electrical and performance (RPM & Hp) specs. Also, look at the frame sizes. If it is a direct drive set-up, the equivalent frame size in the new motor should allow you to simply remove-and-replace. There may be minor differences in the wiring references in the motor's termination enclosure, but will largely follow the same scheme, again regardless of manufacturer.

I like Baldor, but they are proud of their product, and I'd only look at replacement if an existing motor was non-repairable.

[Andy Giddings]

Are you asking about upgrading the HP to improve flow or just a like for like replacement? If the aim is to get more flow, upgrading the HP would only help if the impeller is over spec for the existing motor (eg a 15 inch impeller with a 2HP motor), I think.

[lee cox]

I bought an old Cincinnati DC from a wood shop which went out of business. It has a 12 1/4 inch fan and puts out 1100 cfm and it originally came with a Baldor motor.

I am adding a 55 gal drum with a Super Dust Deputy for my primary cyclone. This will be my new DC for my small shop.

If I replace the motor I will probably replace it with a Baldor motor.

[Derek Arita]

I'd only swap out the motor if the old one fails.

[lee cox]

I totally agree. I would only swap if my motor is not repairable. I like Baldors motors best. I am looking for a 3 phase Baldor 3/4 hp to use on my drill press with a VFD.