Which generator to run a sawmill - NEW or USED ?

[doobin]

Hell yes, if there’s a transformer 150m away it’s a no brainer. Save all this messing around, save diesel and you’re future proofed for things like a mill. 

[openspaceman]

23 minutes ago, arboriculturist said:

Sorry, of course it is. 11,000 v. Just 2 - single phase unfortunately.

 

I have not seen an U boat engines advertised locally recently. 

from what @Squaredy says I suspect it was not the main engine

 

Many generators were just standby and didn't run a lot so the Mawdsley may be a sensible buy, it depends on how much you need to run the saw. Also consider there will be a lot of heat given off which could be used to dry logs. One thing I do know from having installed a Petter genset for a remote school classroom was the conversion efficiency goes down a lot at low power levels. My guess is it needs to spend most of its time at 70% load.

[topchippyles]

2 hours ago, arboriculturist said:

There is no 3 phase here and the 11Kva single phase transformer on the  wooden pole is approx 150 m away.

 

So probably I should be looking at a diesel generator, capable of running an 800 - 1200mm mill and edger and other bits and pieces.

 

I have been offered an 'old school' generator rated at 27.5 kw with a Gardiner 5.5 ish Litre engine and Maudsley alternator.

 

There is a wierd device the size of a shoebox attached with a winder knob on the front and 2 x 2" diameter x 12" long tandem vertical coils of wire coiled tubes in the back that a T bar moves up and down when you twist the knob at the front.

 

Anyone know what the shoebox is, what Kva it will actually produce all day long under constant load and what it is worth ?

 

Is it worth buying ???

 

The whole setup is mounted on some hefty RSJ's, came from a sawmill 30 years ago and it starts on the button and runs sweetly.

 

Deciding what Kva to buy is not straightforward, as I know diesel generators cannot supply the rated Kva continually all day / 8 hrs.

 

NEW diesel generators are relatively inexpensive and very fuel efficient, so perhaps worthy of consideration ?

 

 

 

What kva is the sawmill motor 

[arboriculturist]

2 hours ago, Rough Hewn said:

Get a big wire.
150m is not a big distance.
If you can do some of the installation work it would bring the price down a lot.
Is it on your land?
Single phase will run most bandsaws.
11kw is a lot of power.
And if you've got mains, then it'll work out soooo much cheaper than diesel for running costs.

 

I don't think there is the option to run this on Single Phase especially in 1300mm version.

 

Maybe with a 'Digital phase converter', but as I know little about phase converters I couldn't comment ?

 

TTS-800 PREMIUM Wide-Band Frame Sawing Machine – Trak-met

TRAK-MET.PL

 

[Dan Maynard]

That one says 30kW main motor, 37kW total. I don't think you will find a single phase supplied inverter of that power, only option really is a 3 phase supply.

That is a lot of power, guess it will cut really fast.

[Graham w]

I think the generator is not big enough for a 37kw machine. My small mill is 50kw and a gardner 6lx 10.5L 100kva generator that plods away all day and night, long hours is not uncommon whilst using 5-6L diesel an hour - works out about £3 per hour I guess the same as mains.

 

when the generator is under full load running our sander at 100kw the fuel consumption easily doubles and its not too happy 

[arboriculturist]

5 hours ago, Graham w said:

I think the generator is not big enough for a 37kw machine. My small mill is 50kw and a gardner 6lx 10.5L 100kva generator that plods away all day and night, long hours is not uncommon whilst using 5-6L diesel an hour - works out about £3 per hour I guess the same as mains.

 

when the generator is under full load running our sander at 100kw the fuel consumption easily doubles and its not too happy 

Small mill drawing 50Kw, sounds quite large !

 

Which mill do you have?

[Rough Hewn]

I think the generator is not big enough for a 37kw machine. My small mill is 50kw and a gardner 6lx 10.5L 100kva generator that plods away all day and night, long hours is not uncommon whilst using 5-6L diesel an hour - works out about £3 per hour I guess the same as mains.
 
when the generator is under full load running our sander at 100kw the fuel consumption easily doubles and its not too happy 

100kw sander
50kw small mill

What are you running!
Sounds mental!
Could you post some photos of the mill and sander?
I badly need to see a 100kw sander.
?[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

[gobbypunk]

100k sander bloody hell thats bigger than my 25 inch thicknesser, I also need 3 phase and by what I have worked out from my research is a generator is better bet than a converter have a look at the Ramco auction site it’s all ex military and they have unissued 3 phase silent generators for £1500 unfortunately I just don’t have that kind of cash spare at the moment.

[topchippyles]

What type sander are you running with that size motor? Jesus the one one i have is a monster and nowhere rear that size motor and its 3 phase 

Edited April 5, 2020 by topchippyles