mirrix Spencer Spencer Power Treadle 2022 Instructions
- June 4, 2024
- mirrix
Table of Contents
mirrix Spencer Spencer Power Treadle 2022
The Mirrix Spencer Power Treadle
Getting Started:
Congratulations on purchasing a Mirrix Spencer Power Treadle. This treadle
will make weaving on your Mirrix Loom faster and easier. This guide will show
you how to install the treadle on your loom, and how to use the treadle and
includes some safety warnings and troubleshooting information. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact us
(customerservice@mirrixlooms.com).
Please note that to use this treadle you need a Mirrix Loom with a shedding
device and wooden clips on the loom.
The Parts of The Treadle:
In this guide, we will be referring to various parts of your treadle. The
following are labeled pictures of each part.
White Bushing or Blue Bushing (installed on the motor assembly) Depends on
when you treadle was purchased. 
Pedal Switch (Depending on when you purchased your treadle, yours may look
different from the one pictured.) 
Preparing to Install The Treadle
The Mirrix Spencer Power Treadle consists of three connected assemblies: the
motor, the pedal switch and the power supply. The power supply needs no
attention other than connecting the power cord and plugging it in.
The motor assembly needs to be fitted to the shedding device and adjusted to
fit the loom properly for best operation. A black plastic bushing is provided
that is inserted into the shedding device. The motor shaft is inserted into
this bushing. Newer models will have the bushing pressed on the motor shaft.
If this is the case with your treadle follow the instructions for a pressed-on
bushing.
Installing the Motor with a Separate Bushing
Before installing the motor, make sure that the hole in the motor’s shaft is
correctly aligned with the hole in the shedding device. Hold the motor up to
the shedding device and eyeball it to make sure that when the hole in the
motor’s shaft is lined up with the hole in the shedding device. The two bolts
at the end of the motor should straddle the end of the wooden clip. If this is
not the case, stick the end of the cotter pin in the motor’s shaft and rotate
it until this alignment is correct. Begin with your loom warped with heddles
on it and the shedding device on (but not the shedding device handle). You
will want the hole where the handle goes on the right side of your loom. To
install the bushing, start by removing the end cap in the shedding device. You
will need to insert the bushing with the rubber cord into the end of the
shedding device. The rubber cord serves two purposes: It allows for a snug fit
of the bushing and it allows you to remove the bushing to put on another loom.
Line up the bushing hole with the shedding device hole and push in until the
two holes are in the same position. The motor shaft is inserted into the
bushing but needs to be aligned with the hole in the bushing as well as with
the frame of the loom. The motor is assembled so as to fit most looms but fine
adjustment might be necessary. On some looms, it may be necessary to loosen
the U-bolt before the motor will fit at all. Hold the motor so the U-bolt
straddles the wooden clip with one arm above and one arm below it. If the arms
do not reach behind the vertical copper tube of the loom, it will be necessary
to loosen one or both of the nuts to allow the U-bolt to slide backward. Hold
the motor in position and use the hairpin cotter or a small screwdriver to
rotate the motor shaft so the hole in the shaft will align with the hole in
the bushing. Please note that the motor shaft will move fairly easily in the
clockwise direction (when viewed from the motor shaft end) but will not move
in the counterclockwise direction. Slide it in and secure with the hairpin
cotter. Adjust the U-bolt position so that the lower arm (the one with the
plastic sleeve) fits in the crotch between the bottom of the clip and the
vertical copper tube of the loom. Tighten the nuts gently and test to see that
the motor moves the warping bar smoothly without binding or wobbling around
too much. Once the best position is found, tighten the nuts more securely and
tighten the plastic sleeve right up to the nut.
Installing the Motor with a Pressed on Bushing
Before installing the motor, make sure that the hole in the motor’s shaft is correctly aligned with the hole in the shedding device. Hold the motor up to the shedding device and eyeball it to make sure that when the hole in the motor’s shaft is lined up with the hole in the shedding device. The two bolts at the end of the motor should straddle the end of the wooden clip. If this is not the case, stick the end of the cotter pin in the motor’s shaft and rotate it until this alignment is correct. Begin with your loom warped with heddles on it and the shedding device on (but not the shedding device handle). You will want the hole where the handle goes on the right side of your loom. Hold the motor so the U-bolt straddles the wooden clip with one arm above and one arm below it. If the arms do not reach behind the vertical copper tube of the loom, it will be necessary to loosen one or both of the nuts to allow the U-bolt to slide backward. Hold the motor in position and use the hairpin cotter or a small screwdriver to rotate the motor shaft so the hole in the shaft will align with the hole in the bushing. Please note that the motor shaft will move fairly easily in the clockwise direction (when viewed from the motor shaft end) but will not move in the counterclockwise direction. Slide the shaft with the pressed-on bushing in and secure with the hairpin cotter. Adjust the U-bolt position so that the lower arm (the one with the plastic sleeve) fits in the crotch between the bottom of the clip and the vertical copper tube of the loom. Tighten the nuts gently and test to see that the motor moves the warping bar smoothly without binding or wobbling around too much. Once the best position is found, tighten the nuts more securely and tighten the plastic sleeve right up to the nut.
Finishing the installation
Plug the power cord in and operate the foot switch in both directions. This
should be done with a warped loom with maximum tension on the warp threads.
The shedding bar should move smoothly without binding. The motor should not
rock excessively. If it does, the U-bolt should be re-adjusted so it works
smoothly without excessive rocking. It is normal for the motor to have a
little more power in one direction. This is the nature of motors of this type.
However, even the lower powered motion should be adequate for even the highest
warp tension if the installation is correctly done.
Using the Treadle
Plug the power cord securely into the power supply and plug the other end into
a suitable wall or power strip outlet. Alternative power sources will be
described in a separate section. To operate the treadle, depress the pedal one
way or the other to move between sheds. Be sure to release the switch once the
desired shed is achieved. Do not leave your foot on the switch for extended
periods of time. If you leave the switch on in either position it will cause
the power supply to go ion to protection mode and it will shut off briefly. No
damage will be done but it is best to avoid shutdowns. It is also possible
that the motor will warm up a bit if the switch is left on.
Safety Warnings
The motor in this device is quite powerful. Do not allow fingers (or anything
else you value) to get between moving parts such as the hairpin cotter and the
wooden clip. If you need to make adjustments and there is any chance of your
finger (or anything else you value) getting caught between moving parts,
unplug the power cord while doing these operations or at least make sure you
do not depress the pedal switch. When not using the power treadle, it is best
to unplug it. The power supply is a highly efficient switching type and draws
little power when idling but there is no reason to waste even a little power.
This treadle is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 18.
Alternative Power Sources
The motor and switch will work well with a DC power supply from 5 to 12 volts.
The higher the voltage, the faster the motor will move. Five volts seems ideal
for most purposes so be sure to test with higher voltages before investing a
lot of effort in developing an alternate power source. The motor needs about 4
amps to operate on 5 volts and about 2 to operate on 12 volts. If the motor is
kept on after the shed position is reached, it will stall and draw
considerably more current. The stock power supply has protection against
overloading and will shut down to protect the wiring and motor. If you connect
to a power source with much higher current capability, this protection needs
to be provided by other means or you need to be careful about no holding the
switch on once the shed is reached. As with all wiring, it is necessary to
provide a fuse of the correct size to protect the wiring. A ten amp slow blow
fuse would be appropriate but it will still blow if the switch is held on for
an extended period. If you want to adapt the power treadle for another power
source it is recommended to use screw terminal connectors to allow you to
switch power sources. If you have any questions about alternate power sources,
please contact us.
Troubleshooting:
No motor movement when the pedal is depressed: Is the power cord securely
plugged into the power supply? Is there voltage at the wall or power strip
outlet? Plug in a lamp to be sure. Is the power cord damaged? Try another
cord. Are the wires connected securely to the motor? Check to be sure the
connectors are plugged securely to the motor and that the wire is not loose in
the connector. Tug gently on each wire to test. Do not pull hard but if a wire
pulls out easily, the connector will need to be replaced and properly crimped
on. Clunking noises when changing shed or excessive motor wobbling: Read the
installation section (or view the video) for a proper adjustment procedure.
The white bushing should fit into the crotch between the wooden clip and
upright copper tube but should be loose enough to allow a little motion to
prevent binding. Binding together with only partial motion (does not achieve
full shed): The U-bolt position needs to be adjusted so there is a little
space between the white busing and the wooden clip and upright copper tube.
Greater power moving shed in one direction as opposed to the other:
This is normal to an extent. DC motors work a little better in one direction
so one direction will be a little more powerful. If there is not enough power
to move to full shed in the weaker direction, there is most likely some
binding and the U-bolt needs to be adjusted.
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