Swinging bell motors
Traditionally mounted bells intended to swing have a wheel mounted to the headstock with a rope around it that is dropped to a lower level of the building. Pulling the rope a few times gets the bell swinging and ringing. Letting go of the rope allows the bell to come to a rest and become quiet again. Automating these bells is possible with the products on this page if the following requirements are met.
- A bronze bell is larger than 20 inches in diameter for standard motors
- The bell must have a sturdy steel wheel (except MagForce motors)
- Wheel minimum diameter is 1.1 times the bell diameter for rotary drives
- The headstock axle must be securely fitted in modern pillow block bearings and free to swing
- All bell hanging hardware must be in good condition
- Completed surveys of the bells should be emailed to Chime Master
Swinging bell motor drives
intelli-Swing™ MagForce™ motor
- Includes the intelli-Swing Precision motor computer
- Bi-directional drive
- Standard magnetic proximity sensor feedback for pendulum timing approximates the swinging angle
- Touch-less, friction-less and nearly silent running
- Stationary drive module induces electro-motive eddy current forces into an aluminum reaction plate mounted to the free swinging bell assembly propelling it into motion by the opposing magnetic field
- Automatic stall detection
- Needs no wheel, unlike rotary drives. This either frees up an existing wheel for traditional rope pulled ringing, or presents an architecturally clean design in an open tower
- Maintenance free motor never needs bearings or lubrication
Options
- Specify single-phase option at time of order (added cost)
- Precision bell shaft angular encoder for swinging settings to a tenth of a degree
intelli-Swing Precision rotary motor
- Includes the intelli-Swing Precision motor computer
- Bi-directional drive
- Motor shaft mounted optical feedback for motor speed and direction detection
- Selectable swinging angle accuracy to a tenth of a degree
- Automatic stall detection and locked rotor shutdown
- Heavy-duty nickel-plated (stainless optional) number 40 chain
- Totally enclosed motor with stainless steel sealed ball bearings
- Wheel mounting hardware made with all stainless steel
- Requires a sturdy steel bell wheel (optional accessory)
Options
- Specify single-phase option at time of order (added cost)
- Dual motor systems are available to swing bells from to 8 to 16-tons
- Belt drive instead of chain
intelli-Swing Basic rotary motor
- Single phase 1/3 HP motor for bells between 26 and 36 inches
- Uni-directional drive (like a rope)
- Integrated intelli-Swing Basic control computer mounted to the motor body (no separate wall panel)
- Motor shaft mounted optical feedback for motor speed and direction detection
- Automatic stall detection and locked rotor shutdown
- Heavy-duty nickel-plated (stainless optional) number 40 chain
- Totally enclosed motor with stainless steel sealed ball bearings
- Wheel mounting hardware made with all stainless steel
- Requires a sturdy steel bell wheel (optional accessory)
Swinging bell motor controls
The pendulous motion of a swinging church bell requires carefully controlled and timed electrical pulses to be applied to the motor to properly start and maintain the desired swinging angle. All Chime Master intelli-Swing motors are furnished with one of the following computerized motor control systems.
intelli-Swing Precision motor computer
The intelli-Swing Precision™ computer mounts on a wall near the motor to provide complete power management. This mathematically brilliant motor controller experiments and quickly learns the unique physical properties of your bell then carefully manages the energy required for perfect ringing and never overshoots the desired swinging angle.
Each wall mounted motor control panel can be fitted with up to four motor outputs.
- MagForce and rotary motor support
- UL/CSA listed motor overload protection
- Bi-directional or uni-directional drive selection
- Swing angle adjustment to within a tenth of a degree
- Automatic stall detection and locked rotor shutdown
- Over-swing protection
- Swing angle balancer for even fore/aft ringing
- MOSFET high current motor outputs
- Thump-less soft-start eliminates high inrush currents and drive train stress
- Power braking to slow the bell to finish ringing
- Power pulse profile optimization
Options
- Specify single-phase option at time of order (added cost)
- Specify MagForce proximity switch or rotary encoder motion feedback at time of order
intelli-Swing Basic motor computer
The intelli-Swing Basic™ computer is mounted on the non-drive end of the motor body. The built-in sensors monitor the motor shaft motion for swinging amplitude and direction. Only three wires and a ground are needed to supply power and low-current start signal to this motor system.
- Swinging bell angle adjustment to one motor revolution
Power requirements
All Chime Master motors are rated for 230V, but taking single phase off of a three-phase service results in 208V. For this reason, single phase systems installed in three phase facilities are further derated regarding bell weight capabilities. The single phase motors will also exhibit more hum noise when they are active than three phase motors.
Magforce Linear Motors
230V Three phase
230V Single phase
208V Single phase - not reccomended
intelli-Swing Precision Rotary Motors
| HP rating | Start current | for bell size |
| 0.16 HP | 1.2A | for 220-550 lb bells (20-27 inch dia) |
| 0.24 HP | 1.4A | for 550-880 lb bells (27-32 inch dia) |
| 0.34 HP | 2.1A | for 880-1650 lb bells (32-40 inch dia) |
| 0.50 HP | 3.7A | for 1650 to 2640 lb bells (40-50 inch dia) |
| 0.74 HP | 5.3A | for |
| 1.00 HP | 7.8A | for |
| 1.50 HP | 11.0A | for 4000 to |
| 2.00 HP | 16.4A | larger than 11,000 lbs |
| HP rating | Start current | for bell size |
| 0.20 HP | 3.5A | for 220-550 lb bells (20-27 inch dia) |
| 0.25 HP | 4.8A | for 550-880 lb bells (27-32 inch dia) |
| 0.34 HP | 8.0A | for 880-1650 lb bells (32-40 inch dia) |
| 0.50 HP | 9.0A | for 1650 to 2640 lb bells (40-50 inch dia) |
| 0.75 HP | 12.4A | for 2640 to 3960 lb bells (50-60 inch dia) |
intelli-Swing Basic Rotary Motors
230V Single Phase: 1/3 HP, 3.6A
Caution: The actual motor amps may be higher or lower than the average values listed above. For more reliable motor protection, use the actual motor current as listed on the motor nameplate. Use this table as a planning guide only