Register Now!

reible · 05-18-2005, 02:31 PM

Have you ever seen what is pictured? Now be honest do you ever open up things to see what's inside? Come on tell us..... no one else will ever know.

For todays fun and games I have a series of pictures showing the inside of something. You have to figure out what it is and tell us about it.

Be the first one with a correct answer and you get 200 points and if someone wants to explain how this works I'll give them 3000 points but you have to give some good details that us common people can understand. I will give out the 3000 points twice if two people want to try their hand at it.

Good luck

Ed

delroy33 · 05-18-2005, 05:09 PM

it looks like a variable speed control that can be used also with a single speed router.

Billwolley · 05-19-2005, 07:08 AM

It is a variable speed control unit for a single speed router. I am not an electrician but here's my attempt at explaining how it works. Your routers power cord is plugged into the speed control and the speed controller is plugged into a standard 115v/15amp circuit. The speed controller has a switch which controls the amount of voltage which is passed to your router. The circuit board pictured in your 2nd and 4th pictures have the required electrical components to increase voltage as the external switch is moved from the low speed position to the high speed position.
A router with built in speed control does the same thing and an external variable speed control unit is not necessary. My PC 7539 has a built in variable speed control and is used when using the very large router bits. Here's an excerpt from the owners manual:

DO NOT USE ROUTER BITS

with a diameter in excess of 2-1/2" at RPM

above 13,000. Router bits up to 3-1/2" in diameter can be used when

speed control is set for 13,000 RPM or less.

(picture attached)

Bill

hairfolicle2 · 05-20-2005, 05:48 PM

I'm new here and am enjoying this forum so far. From what I can see I would have to say that this is a power supply of some kind, perhaps a speed control.

mantelmaker · 05-20-2005, 08:10 PM

I always travel a different path, so my answer is a control box for a wood burner. The dial is a potentiameter to vary the burners temperature. The wires appear to have additional insulation for the large amp draw, and there is an over heat reset button. I also think the size of the box is larger than desireable for a variable speed control, but the big size helps people justify spending big bucks for their wood burner. Or maybe it's from NASA. Bob

Dr.Zook · 05-21-2005, 01:22 AM

Ed I know, it is a superhetrodyne transistor radio, it was in kit form and sold in the late 50's and early 60's by radio shack. I think the brand name was "Realistic".

Dave
the "Doctor"

ejant · 05-21-2005, 09:46 AM

Capt. Kirk has been looking for it, Scotty can't get warp speed without it.

ChevyNomad · 05-21-2005, 09:48 AM

Not sure what you are looking for in an explanation but your first picture is of a fuse holder. The fuse is in line with the variable output voltage circuitry and hopefully will protect the whole thing from catastrophic failures like shorts or overloads.
The second picture is of the printed circuit board that contains the components that are used to make the output voltage variable. Components like resistors, diodes, capacitors and a Diac.
The third picture is of a Triac or Alternistor. This is the solid state power device that actually switches the AC voltage on / off every half cycle of the 60 Hz power. To reduce the voltage to the load (router, light bulb, soldering iron or what ever) the circuit delays the turn on of the AC source to the load every half cycle by variable delays determined by the position of the dial on the variable resistor called a potentiometer. This whole method of controlling the voltage to the load is called “Phase Control”.
The third picture is of some of the components mounted on the Printed circuit board that are used to control when the Triac or Alternister is turned on in each half cycle.
By reducing the voltage to a router, any universal motor, you cause the magnetics in the motor to “slip” which in turn reduces the power available which reduces the torque and horsepower which reduces the speed.
I tried not to get too technical and but still explain how these “speed controls” work.

reible · 05-23-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delroy33

it looks like a variable speed control that can be used also with a single speed router.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this..... a lot happening for me but the good news is you have the correct answer. You should see your points tonight..... great work!

Winner!

reible · 05-23-2005, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyNomad

Not sure what you are looking for in an explanation but your first picture is of a fuse holder. The fuse is in line with the variable output voltage circuitry and hopefully will protect the whole thing from catastrophic failures like shorts or overloads.
The second picture is of the printed circuit board that contains the components that are used to make the output voltage variable. Components like resistors, diodes, capacitors and a Diac.
The third picture is of a Triac or Alternistor. This is the solid state power device that actually switches the AC voltage on / off every half cycle of the 60 Hz power. To reduce the voltage to the load (router, light bulb, soldering iron or what ever) the circuit delays the turn on of the AC source to the load every half cycle by variable delays determined by the position of the dial on the variable resistor called a potentiometer. This whole method of controlling the voltage to the load is called “Phase Control”.
The third picture is of some of the components mounted on the Printed circuit board that are used to control when the Triac or Alternister is turned on in each half cycle.
By reducing the voltage to a router, any universal motor, you cause the magnetics in the motor to “slip” which in turn reduces the power available which reduces the torque and horsepower which reduces the speed.
I tried not to get too technical and but still explain how these “speed controls” work.

It works for me..... Let me add just a couple of things.

And if anyone else want to go for the second award of big points please do so. I'll keep that option open for another week or so.

The part that is mounted on the cover is a ST BTA41-600B Triac.....

While the amount of horsepower is lowered the router will have enough power to do most of the projects you throw at it while also reducing the rpm to a safer speed to work at. The router will get warmer because they are designed with "fan" cooling.... designed to work the higher rpm and thus you should keep this in mind..... These also attempt to mantain the speed you set.... and I would guess if you spend more money you could find ones with added feed back circuits or maybe newer models that are cheaper????. This one is few years old now and now that I have variable speed routers I don't use this much anymore.....

A special thanks to ChevyNomad for taking the time to detail some of this for us!

Ed

05-18-2005, 02:31 PM	#1
reible Registered User Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,703 View reible's Gallery	Report This Post! "What is it?" #138 Have you ever seen what is pictured? Now be honest do you ever open up things to see what's inside? Come on tell us..... no one else will ever know. For todays fun and games I have a series of pictures showing the inside of something. You have to figure out what it is and tell us about it. Be the first one with a correct answer and you get 200 points and if someone wants to explain how this works I'll give them 3000 points but you have to give some good details that us common people can understand. I will give out the 3000 points twice if two people want to try their hand at it. Good luck Ed Attached Thumbnails
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-18-2005, 05:09 PM	#2
delroy33 Registered User Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: carmel ny. Posts: 4,376 View delroy33's Gallery	Report This Post! it looks like a variable speed control that can be used also with a single speed router. __________________ roy start square, finish square Last edited by delroy33; 05-18-2005 at 09:03 PM.
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-19-2005, 07:08 AM	#3
Billwolley Registered User Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 137 View Billwolley's Gallery	Report This Post! It is a variable speed control unit for a single speed router. I am not an electrician but here's my attempt at explaining how it works. Your routers power cord is plugged into the speed control and the speed controller is plugged into a standard 115v/15amp circuit. The speed controller has a switch which controls the amount of voltage which is passed to your router. The circuit board pictured in your 2nd and 4th pictures have the required electrical components to increase voltage as the external switch is moved from the low speed position to the high speed position. A router with built in speed control does the same thing and an external variable speed control unit is not necessary. My PC 7539 has a built in variable speed control and is used when using the very large router bits. Here's an excerpt from the owners manual: DO NOT USE ROUTER BITS with a diameter in excess of 2-1/2" at RPM above 13,000. Router bits up to 3-1/2" in diameter can be used when speed control is set for 13,000 RPM or less. (picture attached) Bill Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Billwolley; 05-19-2005 at 03:47 PM.
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-20-2005, 05:48 PM	#4
hairfolicle2 Registered User New Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4 View hairfolicle2's Gallery	Report This Post! I'm new here and am enjoying this forum so far. From what I can see I would have to say that this is a power supply of some kind, perhaps a speed control.
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-20-2005, 08:10 PM	#5
mantelmaker Registered User Jr. Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15 View mantelmaker's Gallery	Report This Post! I always travel a different path, so my answer is a control box for a wood burner. The dial is a potentiameter to vary the burners temperature. The wires appear to have additional insulation for the large amp draw, and there is an over heat reset button. I also think the size of the box is larger than desireable for a variable speed control, but the big size helps people justify spending big bucks for their wood burner. Or maybe it's from NASA. Bob
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-21-2005, 01:22 AM	#6
Dr.Zook Official Greeter Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Lebanon, Ohio "USA" First Name: Dave or "Doc" Posts: 4,567 View Dr.Zook's Gallery	Report This Post! Ed I know, it is a superhetrodyne transistor radio, it was in kit form and sold in the late 50's and early 60's by radio shack. I think the brand name was "Realistic". Dave the "Doctor" __________________ Dave the "Doctor" In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood.
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-21-2005, 09:46 AM	#7
ejant Router King Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,474 View ejant's Gallery	Report This Post! Capt. Kirk has been looking for it, Scotty can't get warp speed without it. __________________ http://woodworker.com/images/j80/823-745.jpg
	Top - Reply with Quote

05-21-2005, 09:48 AM	#8
ChevyNomad Registered User Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 18 View ChevyNomad's Gallery	Report This Post! Not sure what you are looking for in an explanation but your first picture is of a fuse holder. The fuse is in line with the variable output voltage circuitry and hopefully will protect the whole thing from catastrophic failures like shorts or overloads. The second picture is of the printed circuit board that contains the components that are used to make the output voltage variable. Components like resistors, diodes, capacitors and a Diac. The third picture is of a Triac or Alternistor. This is the solid state power device that actually switches the AC voltage on / off every half cycle of the 60 Hz power. To reduce the voltage to the load (router, light bulb, soldering iron or what ever) the circuit delays the turn on of the AC source to the load every half cycle by variable delays determined by the position of the dial on the variable resistor called a potentiometer. This whole method of controlling the voltage to the load is called “Phase Control”. The third picture is of some of the components mounted on the Printed circuit board that are used to control when the Triac or Alternister is turned on in each half cycle. By reducing the voltage to a router, any universal motor, you cause the magnetics in the motor to “slip” which in turn reduces the power available which reduces the torque and horsepower which reduces the speed. I tried not to get too technical and but still explain how these “speed controls” work.
	Top - Reply with Quote

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"What is it?" #105	reible	What is it?	2	03-17-2005 11:44 PM
"What is it?" #103	reible	What is it?	10	03-14-2005 02:53 AM
"What it it?" #102	reible	What is it?	2	03-13-2005 10:40 PM
"What is it?" #98	reible	What is it?	3	02-18-2005 11:38 PM
"What is it?" #99	reible	What is it?	5	02-18-2005 11:19 PM