How do I wire a Leeson 1/2 hp dc motor with a bridge rectifier? There are two yellow wires, one black wire and one red wire inside the wiring box. After coming off the rectifier it looks like the black and red wires run to the motor.

 

You hook the two free wires to 120 VAC

 

You hook the two free wires to 120 VAC

There are 4 free wires: a black, a red and 2 yellow

 

You said the black and red ones went to the motor.
So now we have a bridge rectifier with four wires, none of which are connected to the motor?
Pictures of your previously described object would help greatly.

 

I'm sorry my description was so confusing. In the pic you can see 4 loose ends. What I meant was the other ends of the black and red go to the rectifier and then to the motor. If you look at the bottom right of the rectifier you can see the red connected and another red that leads to the motor. The same is true for the black. Thanks for dealing with my ignorance.

 

"So now we have a bridge rectifier with four wires, none of which are connected to the motor?"

The black and red wires connected to the bridge appear to have 2 wires on each connector. Do those wires go into the motor?
The loose blk red may be for an external brake or some other device.
But first we need to know where those 2 blk red wires go. Do you know what the input voltage should be?

 

"So now we have a bridge rectifier with four wires, none of which are connected to the motor?"

The black and red wires connected to the bridge appear to have 2 wires on each connector. Do those wires go into the motor?
The loose blk red may be for an external brake or some other device.
But first we need to know where those 2 blk red wires go. Do you know what the input voltage should be?

 

Yes the red and black go to the motor. Voltage is 115

 

Maybe giving the motor model number would get more help. Most motor brands have a website showing how they are wired.

 

Most likely the connections allow operation off of standard AC and an option to feed DC directly to the motor if using a speed controller. If you don't need them tape them up and just leave them alone.

 

Yes the red and black go to the motor. Voltage is 115

Then I would apply 115 ac to the yellow wires, making sure the loose blk red wires are taped off so they cannot short out.

 

Also if you need to reverse the motor you need to intercept the red & blk to the motor and provide some means of reversing them such as a pair of relays.
Max.

 

Then I would apply 115 ac to the yellow wires, making sure the loose blk red wires are taped off so they cannot short out.

That worked. Thanks

 

I love it when a plan comes together......