Author Topic: RBI Planer/Molder Speed Question (Read 785 times)

GF · « **on:** October 20, 2005, 08:51:10 am »

I have a RBI planer molder that I purchased about 10 yrs ago. This model does not have the independent variable speed motor that drives the feed rollers, instead it is driven off of the main motor. When it was purchased they said it was two speed and this was done by reversing some pulley's, does anyone have any information on this model and which ones would need to be reversed or moved around? Any help is appreciated.

Jason_WI · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2005, 06:41:19 pm »

GF,

I have a RBI with the 2 speed feed option.....well it used to

I chucked that poorly engineered feed drive system in the drawer and installed a variable speed feed with parts from Surplus Center. I can now vary the speed with a POT from 0 to 40 feet a minute.

To go from hi to low you need the add the step down pully to the outfeed roller shaft. The stepdown pully has bronze bushings so oil liberally. A belt from the planer head will go the the larger pully on the step down. Then the belt that went to the planetary reduction will then go to the smaller pully on the step down pully - where it used to go directly to the planer head for high speed. I think there are different size belts for hi and low. Kinda confusing without pictures. I have my manual at home and I can scan the relevant pages this weekend if needed.

Those puny belts would always slip if the bed wasn't waxed good. When I changed over to variable speed feed I changed to #40 chain and sprockets. Now the bed can be rusty and it will still suck a board through.

Jason

GF · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:18:40 am »

Jason_WI,
What model gear motor do you get from Surplus Center to do this? I thought of the same thing on mine also. When making molding with the current configuration the feed rate needs to be slower than the two speeds they currently have.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2005, 11:55:00 am »

Sure would like to see the the particulars on how ya did that, Jason

Jason_WI · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2005, 01:21:11 pm »

5-1508, 190 RPM 90 VDC 1/8 HP GEARMOTOR, $109.95

11-2269, 90/180 VDC SPEED CONTROL W/POT, $56.95

The part numbers are listed above. Unfortunately the gear motor is not available from surplus city anymore. I can get the part numbers off of the motor for you.

I will take pictures of how I mounted the motor the the planer frame. I put the motor controller in a plastic NEMA enclisure with its own power switch and the speed control POT out the side.

I keep a little slack in the chain to allow the rollers to move as they are spring loaded. I was thinking about using a spring loaded chain tensioner but after using it this way for over a year now I don't think it would be needed.

I bought all the #40 sprockets and hubs from Fleet Farm but you could get them anywhere. I will list the # of teeth each are.

My planer is the 12 inch model. I went with 1/8 HP which is probably ok for this size. After planing 2 inch oak for a few hours the gear motor did get quite warm. If you planer is bigger then a 1/4 or 1/3 HP gear motor would be better for constant use.

Jason

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2005, 01:28:29 pm »

C'mon Jason, Pics are ALWAYS welcome.

Den Socling · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:47:32 pm »

Jason,

We recently tested a little (3 HP) freq drive from Automation Direct. What's really nice about it is that you put 230 VAC single phase in and get 230 VAC 3 phase out. Add an inverter duty 3 phase 3 HP motor and you have all kinds of speed control.

We are now running vac pumps with freq drives. I thought it was a great, new idea to reduce pump capacity and energy consumption until I did a little Google and found that the milking industry had already made my discovery.

Den

Jason_WI · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2005, 03:20:17 pm »

Den,

Freq drives have been in the dairy industry for at least 10 years for the big farms. It cuts there energy costs as the vac pump usually runs for 16 out of 24 hours for a large dairy operation and longer for the mega farms that milk 3 times a day. They usually will shut down for an hour to wash the line but the vac pump is needed for that also.

The vac pump for our 52 cow herd runs for at least 6 hours a day. That includes washing and sanitizing.

Jason

Jason_WI · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2005, 04:26:14 pm »

I took pictures of my planer mods but I didn't have time to resize them to the forum. I uploaded them to my ISP account here:

http://my.vbe.com/34/EF/jbirnsch/Planer_Mods/

I mounted the gear motor on a piece of channel iron. I welded plates on the ends of the channel iron then drilled 2 holes in each end to bolt it to the planer frame.

I used a wood block (ash) that is sawn cresent shape with a hole drilled off center for a chain tightener. Hey, it works on our combine.

The motor controller is inside the plactic NEMA enclosure with the on/off switch and speed control POT out on the side. This is mounted on the planer infeed side. I taped into 110 V from the switch on the planer.

Not much to it. It took me about 4 hours to do this.

I couldn't read the info off the motor sticker anymore. I believe the gear motor is made by Bison.