My mill passed the smoke test

warren46 · December 05, 2013, 07:40:15 PM

It has been to long since I posted about the installation of my new to me Timberharvester mill. Got a saw shed up and most of the roof on. The mill is up on foundations and today the electrician completed the connections for the 40 hp motor. The electrical installation was more complicated than expected (read $$$$$) because the previous owner ran the mill on 480V and I have 230V available. New starter, disconnect switch and heavier wire by a factor of two.

Just before dark this afternoon we pushed the button and the motor came to life but had the wrong rotation. Switched two of the leads and got the right rotation. Just barely tested the hydraulics and they seem to work well. I cannot saw yet since the idler pulley had a seized bearing that had spun in the bore. A replacement is somewhere between the mil and St Louis. If UPS does what it usually does I should make sawdust on Monday. Just over one month since the day the mill arrived on my site. I am an excited happy camper.

Pictures coming this weekend.

Magicman · December 05, 2013, 07:49:05 PM

Congrats on being an excited happy camper. 8)

Stephen1 · December 05, 2013, 07:56:05 PM

Almost there, a lot of work so far.

5quarter · December 05, 2013, 08:02:54 PM

Very excited for you Warren. I like those big TH mills. looking forwards to your pics.

Red Good · December 05, 2013, 11:03:08 PM

Can you explain to me what you had to do to go from 480 to 240? Did you get 480 installed or a phase converter or a new motor . I have a 480 polisher and only 240 available so would like to know how . Thanks .Red

thecfarm · December 05, 2013, 11:12:18 PM

Good to hear that you are so close to sawing with that mill.

warren46 · December 05, 2013, 11:50:47 PM

Quote from: Red Good on December 05, 2013, 11:03:08 PM
Can you explain to me what you had to do to go from 480 to 240? Did you get 480 installed or a phase converter or a new motor . I have a 480 polisher and only 240 available so would like to know how . Thanks .Red

Most three phase motors will work on either 480 or 240 volts. However, the current draw of the motor doubles at the lower voltage. In my case I needed to replace the disconnect switch and the motor starter with higher capacity devices. In addition much of the wiring needed to be replaced with larger sizes. This gets to be quite a project for a machine with a 40 horsepower motor. Smaller motors may be easier.