Initial Start Up Testing of 1915 Vintage 750 HP Wound Rotor Motor after Rewinding the Rotor & Stator

City of Memphis Gayoso Pumping Station 750 HP 6,250 Volt 116 RPM Wound Rotor Motor #3 initial Start-Up testing after rewind of both the stator and rotor. This machine drives a pump that moves 135,000 GPM of storm water from the Gayoso drainage area into Wolf River Harbor between Mud Island and the City of Memphis which then feeds directly into the Mississippi River. When the Mississippi River is higher than 28 feet, one of these four motors will be started to help pump down storm water from old Gayoso Bayou basin in the harbor protecting the City of Memphis and especially St. Jude's Childrens Hospital research wing.

[AugustusTitus]

You've got to love motors so large they are their own warning sirens.

[paulvoelker]

What an awesome looking and sounding motor. Has a very 'Victorian' look to it, like an old industrial steam engine...

[jrb_sland]

The nice thing about old low-speed high-power motors is that they can be quite narrow for their diameter, and you can easily imagine the magnetic forces pulling the rotor around. Wide-open build makes it easy to cool the windings without huge windage losses at only 116 rpm. Thanks for the video!

[fryloc]

Only 16 seconds? I can't read the comments that fast!

[stephenherr]

I am sure that is Bayou Gayoso Pumping Station in Memphis TN. I ran that plant for several years before retiring. The station was built in 1915. The pumps are rated at 300 CFS, driven by 750 HP motors at 117 RPM, there are four units as well as three sewage pumps in the station.

[madmanmapper]

I love that it still looks original, too. They respected it when they rebuilt it. Everything around it is modern and grey. It stands out as a unique piece of vintage equipment.

[JFinnerud]

I am glad to see thy take care and service this motor rather than replacing it with a modern unit. They are works of art compared to the rather dull modern designs.

[douro]

The reason these types of motors are still in use is because they are very efficient.

[benwilliams]

15 seconds isn't long enough, had to replay 10 times for satisfaction...

[REWYRED]

Amazing piece of old equipment! Love the sound.

[billc]

AWESOME MOTOR!!! Just a Beautiful running motor!

[rickvand]

When the mechanics put their hands in their pockets you know its solid

[redsquirrelftw]

Nothing like the sound of a big electric motor starting up!

[EngineersWorkshop]

Cool video! Seen many of these in the New Orleans pumping stations. I have a 60HP Allis Chalmers wound rotor motor that I will be refurbishing and running soon!

[johnwood]

Let’s keep it going for another 105 years.
It would be very expensive to replace, and wouldn’t last near as long.

[spontanvideok]

Wooow. This Electric motor more 110 years old. Very amazing starting and Spinning up Sound.❤👌👍👍Please more making such videos.

[GrumpyoldPlumber]

I’ve had the pleasure to see this motor is person. Beautiful

[OklahomaLubeDude]

Ran into a few of these up in New England while helping out a cement plant, pretty cool motors!

[TheRetroShed]

How beautiful! What a stunning noise. I can hear Sulu now... “warp factor one..!”

[keithmcintyre]

As a field service technician for large reciprocating air compressors I’ve worked on compressors driven by these types of motors, most were in the 450/800 hp range and operated on either 2300 or 4160 volts.