HELP: How to determine the speed of a small motor

Hi Eddy,

In order to answer your question I have to ask a few questions.

What is the diameter of the capstan? Is the capstan motor direct or belt drive? If belt drive what is the drive ratio? Does the capstan motor have feedback? Is its speed regulated?

You didn't say what this is for but I'll guess. "3.75 ips", "double speed"?? Compact cassette?

Reel to reel tapes run 30, 15, 7.5 3.75 and 1.875 ips.

".small motor that turns at 1600/3200 rpm"? Multiple windings or different voltages? No load speed? Motor speed will vary with the load.

If the motor you have runs too fast you could try reducing the voltage with an adjustable voltage regulator or resisters to reduce the speed.

Jay

Jay, the shaft of the capstan motor is 2mm and is belt driven I don't know the ratio of the pulley from the capstan shaft to the drum. Feedback? I'm not sure.. but it looks like its speed regulated.(8.4-15.6V) This is for a double speed compact cassette & turns at double speed i.e 3.75ips The following specs are for the replacement motor... Rated voltage=12Vdc Operating Voltage=8.4-15.6Vdc Rated Load(g.cm)=10 Rated speed(rpm)=1600/3200rpm Ratedload current(mA)=83/89mA Load fluctuation(rpm/g.cm)=5.0/7.0 Starting torque(g.cm)=50 drift%=0.6/0.3

the motor model is Mabuchi EG-530KD-2B(2F)

let me know if all this helps Thanks

Hi Eddy,

It looks like your replacement motor is a good fit. All the numbers you've provided seem to agree. If your tape drives not working you have nothing to loose.

Good luck.

Jay

Hi Jay, I couldn't find calipers but I took a quick measurement of the pulley and the capstan drum(flywheel)with a tape measure and the calculations don't seem to jive. The pulley on the shaft is ~1cm and the flywheel ~4cm so the diameter would be ~1/4=0.25..I must be calculating wrong since I don't come close to the same RPM rating..could you verify if the numbers are ok? thanks again

-Ed

Hi Eddy,

Based on the numbers you gave me here's what I get.

3.75 Capstan speed in ips

4/1 Motor Pulley / Capstan Pulley ratio

3640.127389 Motor RPM for 3.75ips

Jay

Thats just wonderful!! Thanks Jay, have a great one...