Power control for 1/4HP motor - how to replace?

Reesy

Hi,

I'm a beekeeper. Every summer I use an ancient centrifugal extractor, driven by a 1/4HP electric motor, to spin out the honey. I plug it into the mains & use a potentiometer to turn it on & off, & regulate the speed.

Last week my trusty extractor died - the box with the potentiometer flashed, blew a fuse & died. I replaced the fuse & it restarted, then blew a fuse again. It's dead. Here's a pic of the box open. As you can see I have bypassed all the electrics - I connected the motor direct to the mains & controlled it via the wall switch - hairy but it worked.



The company that made the power control box doesn't exist any more.

I went up to Maplins & got another potentiometer which I can stick in - but I think the circuit board is dead (it flashed bright). Can anyone suggest what the function of the circuitry is, and how I might replace it?

Thanks!

EDIT: Sorry for the v. large image. Can't delete it now

M cebee

would an electronic fan speed controller do the job?
Hydor do a few different sizes-ive fitted some lately

Reesy

M cebee wrote: »

would an electronic fan speed controller do the job?
Hydor do a few different sizes-ive fitted some lately

D'you know, I think it might. I reckon this one might be what i need. It's a good bit bigger than the item it replaces, but what the heck.

Can I ask - what sort of motors were you using them with - Hyder fans or something else?

Thanks!!

M cebee

hydor metal blade axial fans
I dont know too much about speed control
You could email hydor uk with the specs off the motor if nobody else knows

indie armada

ive a few fan speed controlers here on the shelf if ye want to try one, couple made by vortice and roof units.
single phase with on/off and speed control.
similar to this one
http://www.google.ie/imgres?q=vortice+fan+controller&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=633&tbm=isch&tbnid=RdVBe0WkQckBwM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dexterton.com/productdetail.php%3Fedp_code%3D02048-00005&docid=C0WsNeg7ODh2cM&imgurl=http://www.dexterton.com/images/products/speed%252520controller_web_1315386661.jpg&w=488&h=336&ei=d103UKy2MIWWhQfHkYGoCA&zoom=1

M cebee

the electronic type are sized in amps-that can be read off the nameplate
Afaik these fan induction motors are either shaded-pole or capacitor start and run, that are suitable for variable voltage control

Reesy

Many thanks, people - much appreciated. I emailed Hydor a few days ago but no response yet. Since then a friend has found somebody who will try fix it - I'm sending him on the details of your posts.