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240v -vs- 120v equipment wiring?

I am building a generator set for my shop tools and as a backup source of power for the upcoming hurricane season here in Florida.

I've bought myself a ChangFa 22 hp diesel engine and a ST10 10Kw genhead.

Most of my big power consuming tools can either be hooked up 120v or

240v. My tools that will be hooked up to the genset will be my Campbell Hasfeld 6hp 60gal Air compressor, Ridgid contractors table saw. Ridgid 14" woodcutting band saw, Homier metal cutting mini-lathe, Harbour Freight 4x6 metal cutting band saw, DeWalt 10" miter saw, not all these will be running at once, perhaps the Air compressor and one of the other tools at the same time.

I can change the genset to run at 120v@87amps only or can wire it to have

240@43.5amps.

Any ideas on how best to wire this genset?

What are the benefits of running the tools at 240v, smaller wires for power cords???

Reply to
SomeBody
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SomeBody wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@Someplace.org:

Yup, half the amperage and half the power loss.

Reply to
Anthony

Higher voltage = less current draw (amperage) for a given power consumption.

I = P/E Current draw = Power consumed divided by Voltage

Less current draw through your wires means less power loss due to internal wire resistance (which also means less wire heating = longer life).

P = (I * I) / R Power loss in wiring = Current in wiring squared divided by Resistance of wiring

Go with the 220VAC. I recommend running no less than 12ga wire. Also run a parallel 110VAC circuit to power accessories like lights and other ancillary equipment.

- Michael

Reply to
DeepDiver

If you've got a way to disconnect from your main transformer. (pulling the meter off will work but probably isn't legal)Do my method; build a heavy 220 connector extension cord with double male plugs. Put a 50 amp 220 plugin on both your genset and near your fuse box. When the power goes out, disconnect from the grid, start up your genset and plug in the jumper. Now, your whole place has power just like before.

Back when the power company installed my meter, I asked for a disconnect. They didn't want to install one. So I mentioned I hoped to not accidently high side them (term for power coming back through transformer) when I plugged in my generator and jumper. The guy went right over to the truck and grabbed a 200 amp disconnect panel.

Karl

Reply to
Karl Townsend

Advantages of 220V hookup are: smaller wires, balanced load on your generator head, smaller conduits, etc.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus12247

Oh my Good! I knew that there are people stupid enough to do something like that, but to post such a suggestion?

Nick

Reply to
Nick Müller

I think that should be P = I * I * R , or current squared times resistance.

R, Tom Q.

Remove bogusinfo to reply.

Reply to
Tom Quackenbush

Right off the top -

Small copper losses - lower voltage drop due to lower currents in 240. Higher impulse for motor starts - Martin

Reply to
lionslair at consolidated dot

You're absolutely right. I should have proof-read my posting.

Reply to
DeepDiver

Simply a grammar or spelling issue - you used I before E. it was E^2 / R .

Martin

Reply to
lionslair at consolidated dot

LOL - Mozilla Thunderbird thought this was an email address!

Reply to
Bob Engelhardt

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