Grigg
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2007
- Location
- Lexington, VA
I've been using a 15HP idler to run my 15 HP Lodge & Shipley lathe for several years now.
Started out really simple.
Two pole manual disconnect switch for the incoming 220 and idler motor.
A light switch to start the 1/4 HP pony motor that's connected with a flat belt to the 15HP motor.
Did add capacitors to balance the voltage between the legs.
Now I'm moving to a different shop and in the process of moving the converter would like to improve on it and ensure it is wired in a safe manner.
At this point I have:
The idler motor, a 15HP 900 RPM Allis-Chalmers, mounted on a bracket up on the wall out of the way with the pony motor hinged below it.
To feed the converter can use up to a 200 amp breaker, converter is just on the other side of the wall from the power meter.
Large electrical cabinet to house all the converter stuff mounted directly above the panel box.
300 amp motor starter with no overload protection.
Conduit run to the shop to feed a 400 amp Square-D buss duct system to distribute and feed the machines.
Also have a simple but perhaps over complicated controller (depends on how you look at it) that should automate the starting of the converter, and allow it to be simply turned on from the shop, and leave the converter in the garage.
Once the momentary start push button is engaged the pony motor runs gradually spinning the idler motor up to speed, about 900 RPM. When running fast enough an optical tachometer senses the speed and engages the 300 amp motor starter putting power to the idler and buss duct, at the same time turning off the pony motor.
The stop button will disengage the 300 amp motor starter and also interrupt the startup controller, allowing the stop button to cancel the startup cycle if needed.
This converter will run the whole shop, something over 50HP if everything was run at once, obviously the limit as planned is a 15HP motor, possibly 30HP total.
In the future I may add another large idler if I need more power or pick up any larger machines, the wiring from the panel to the bus duct will handle 200 amps if needed.
Could also substitute the home made converter for a phase perfect digital one if I ever need or want to.
So, I think I can make it work, but how to do it safely?
Does the idler motor need to be fused for it's name plate amps? If a fuse blows should the motor starter disengage, and how?
What might I need to do or consider to pass the electrical inspection before I move in?
Thanks in advance for any input and suggestions,
Grigg
Started out really simple.
Two pole manual disconnect switch for the incoming 220 and idler motor.
A light switch to start the 1/4 HP pony motor that's connected with a flat belt to the 15HP motor.
Did add capacitors to balance the voltage between the legs.
Now I'm moving to a different shop and in the process of moving the converter would like to improve on it and ensure it is wired in a safe manner.
At this point I have:
The idler motor, a 15HP 900 RPM Allis-Chalmers, mounted on a bracket up on the wall out of the way with the pony motor hinged below it.
To feed the converter can use up to a 200 amp breaker, converter is just on the other side of the wall from the power meter.
Large electrical cabinet to house all the converter stuff mounted directly above the panel box.
300 amp motor starter with no overload protection.
Conduit run to the shop to feed a 400 amp Square-D buss duct system to distribute and feed the machines.
Also have a simple but perhaps over complicated controller (depends on how you look at it) that should automate the starting of the converter, and allow it to be simply turned on from the shop, and leave the converter in the garage.
Once the momentary start push button is engaged the pony motor runs gradually spinning the idler motor up to speed, about 900 RPM. When running fast enough an optical tachometer senses the speed and engages the 300 amp motor starter putting power to the idler and buss duct, at the same time turning off the pony motor.
The stop button will disengage the 300 amp motor starter and also interrupt the startup controller, allowing the stop button to cancel the startup cycle if needed.
This converter will run the whole shop, something over 50HP if everything was run at once, obviously the limit as planned is a 15HP motor, possibly 30HP total.
In the future I may add another large idler if I need more power or pick up any larger machines, the wiring from the panel to the bus duct will handle 200 amps if needed.
Could also substitute the home made converter for a phase perfect digital one if I ever need or want to.
So, I think I can make it work, but how to do it safely?
Does the idler motor need to be fused for it's name plate amps? If a fuse blows should the motor starter disengage, and how?
What might I need to do or consider to pass the electrical inspection before I move in?
Thanks in advance for any input and suggestions,
Grigg