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**HopSong** · 02-01-2013, 06:57 PM

Ok, I've got a MM-3 and trying to find a way to power this baby.

Seems the recommended speeds are around 150 or so RPM. I'd rather not use an electric drill.. but.. ya never know.

Looking at gear motors.. wow.. expennnnnsive.
Looking at a 1725 or so rpm ac motor.. $100.. but to get it to 160 it looks like I'd need a 2" pully on the motor and about a 20" pulley on the MM-3.. seems out of this world

Solutions? I have a large 1/2 PorterCable plug in drill similar to the Harbor Freight drills.. but, I'd rather go something cleaner.

Thanks

**brew-n-que** · 02-01-2013, 07:30 PM

I bought one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/106-RPM-120V-Electric-Gear-Motor-FREE-SHIPPING-/190510520509?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5b4f d8bd

and connected it to my Barley Crusher with a lovejoy coupling. The thing is a beast and doesn't break a sweat even when starting with hopper full of 18# of grain.

**HopSong** · 02-01-2013, 08:09 PM

Love your name.. one of my usernames on another forum is "smokenque"

Looking at the setup.. looks great. Says it's 106 RPM.. I thought the recommended was about 170 or so. What does the crush look like?

**Hang Glider** · 02-01-2013, 08:18 PM

mine is a super-torquey DC that spins at 62 rpm. Speed isn't really an issue - you just load up the hopper and walk away - there are always things to be done - sanitizing tubing, measuring hops, etc.

**brew-n-que** · 02-01-2013, 08:22 PM

Thanks.
In my opinion, slower is better.

The crush looks fantastic. Husks are split but mostly in one piece. I actually did some experimenting with different gap settings and conditioned vs un-conditioned. (link to pictures below)

http://imgur.com/a/sebY7

I settled on a gap of .045 and conditioning the malt before milling.

Works great on my rig. I mash in a 10 gallon rubbermaid with a domed false bottom, constantly recirculated (at full speed) in my E-herms. I get consistent efficiencies in the mid to high eighties

**mikescooling** · 02-01-2013, 08:23 PM

If you go bigger than 12"pulley on the grain mill it will hit the hopper FYI. I use 12" to 1.5" pulley' powered by 1/3hp motor (wish it was bigger).

**beaksnbeer** · 02-02-2013, 03:23 PM

I went 90 DC volt with a Dart control off e-bay 25 for the motor and 40 for the control

**HopSong** · 02-02-2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hang Glider

mine is a super-torquey DC that spins at 62 rpm. Speed isn't really an issue - you just load up the hopper and walk away - there are always things to be done - sanitizing tubing, measuring hops, etc.

Hey HG.. what are you using to get the DC?
BnB looks like he has a great option too..

Actually.. all of these ideas look great

**Hang Glider** · 02-02-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeGnomes

Hey HG.. what are you using to get the DC?

I built a converter. I did a bunch of research and hit the all circuits forum asking questions.

90vdc converts to about 120vac - something to do with the square root of 2...

but basically a transformer, a large capacitor, and a bridge rectifier got my household current down to 90vdc.

Sadly, the transformer set me back about $60, so BnB's $40 for his controller was a good deal.

**HopSong** · 02-02-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brew-n-que

I bought one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/106-RPM-120V-Electric-Gear-Motor-FREE-SHIPPING-/190510520509?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5b4f d8bd

and connected it to my Barley Crusher with a lovejoy coupling. The thing is a beast and doesn't break a sweat even when starting with hopper full of 18# of grain.

Brew n Que.. Looking at the Lovejoy couplings you have. Can you buy them with different end diameters? IOW, If the pump is 1/2" and the crusher has a 3/8 shaft, do you have to buy two separate units or can they be purchased "mix n match"???