Hi, I almost have my saw mill done after one year of building. I am now thinking of using an electric motor on it. Can someone tell me how many horse electric motor I would need on a mill that I can cut about 30 inch diameter logs.? Thank you very much for the help. Freddie
Woodmizer offers a 10hp single phase and 3 phase for my LT15. When you say 30 inch dia logs, are you referring to the max log diameter that you can break down, or the max throat width you'd be sawing (max slab width). My LT15 can do up to a 28" log, but that means breaking it down to a 24" or less cant, because my max throat opening is 24.5". My understanding is that they are offering the same 10hp motor on the LT15wide, which has a max throat opening of about 34.5".
10 HP single phase! How much amperage would that draw?
Freddie,welcome to the forum. Electric is nice. Nice and quiet. ;D
What's the plan for the lumber?
Quote from: Dana Stanley on November 21, 2019, 07:10:54 AM
10 HP single phase! How much amperage would that draw?
A bunch! 60 amps @ 220v I think. Plus start-up current.
btulloh, because I dance around all of these threads dealing with electrically-powered bandsaw mills, I noted your power requirements for single-phase 10 HP. This is of interest as I will be wiring a shed for power next year and want to make certain I've allowed for this future possibility. I may at some point have an electrically-powered WM or equivalent mill sitting next to that shed.
So, the electrical needs for that shed will be minimal. Just a few lights, etc. No big draw. But if that sawmill shows up some time in the future, I'd hate to have not placed sufficiently robust circuitry in place. So, to be clear, are you saying that a circuit being used to power one of these units-for the sake of this discussion, let's just say the mill is an LT-15 manual-should be of 60-amp capacity? Please note, I don't think 3-phase is ever going to make it down that country road.
Thanks!
I'd recommend at least consulting with a licensed electrician for your wiring. I was just winging that estimate based on running my 5hp motors on 30 amp circuits. Your requirements will depend on the specifics of your overall installation. My guess is that Woodmizer would have recommendations as well.
A quick glance here Eng toolbox (https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/elctrical-motor--load-current-d_1499.html) says a good rule of thumb is 7 amps/hp 230v.
Ten hp/single phase is asking a lot, but clearly doable.
Thanks bud, that's helpful. So, if this happens-and I know such matters are subject to change-I will most likely be in the softwood world most of the time. A key goal of mine may be to make useful items out of thinned material from a plantation consisting primarily of red pine, white pine, Norway spruce, and hybrid larch. In particular, a good chunk of larch wood is going to become available in the near future at that site.
At this point, I'm not into slabs and all that. I mean, I like that stuff, but it's just not the lane I'm in. I'd get more satisfaction milling dimension stuff, flooring, paneling, decking planks, etc. Maybe bevel siding or board and batten. Stuff I can use right there. I have no particular plans aimed at commercial sawing for customers at this time. That too could change, but right now, is not a priority.
So yeah, maybe a bit undersized, but I want to be able to take my time learning to saw manually, with an electrically-powered saw, using primarily softwood logs from my own property. There is zero economic imperative here, other than my need to not go broke doing it!
This thread is just one whack at it. My nephew the electrician will certainly be on board when this happens. WM or equivalent vendor will surely be consulted. But this information helps.
Sounds reasonable. We all have different goals and they're all valid. Thigs do evolve too, and then we adjust our equipment. It sounds like you have plan and you're ready to move forward.
Ok guys, thank you for the information. It sounds like a ten horse single phase would work just fine. So, I looked up the price of a ten horse electric motor and discovered that they must be made of some precious metal of some kind. They cost more than I have in the whole mill. I have an eight horse gas engine that I think I will install on the mill. If that isn't big enough for my needs. I will look for a larger gas engine.
I am new to sawmills. Does anyone have any recommendations as to should I but a cant hook or a peeve. Why would one be better than the other. Thanks again for any and all suggestions. Freddie
Oops, I forgot to say that I am doing this just to have something to do. I would like to just saw some lumber for me and my neighbors.
Re motor sizing, it all depends upon what production rate you want to achieve.
Personally for a mill that would handle 30" logs with ease, I would want at least 30hp electric.
The standard motor size for a Woodmizer LT40 is 25 hp.
If you're underpowered your blade will stall in the cut. If you're underpowered your blade will not cut properly and may burn the lumber, especially if it's an older log. 10hp will not let you mill very quickly on 30" logs, but would be fine on a 14" log.
What width bands are you planning to use?
1 1/4 inch blades.
Figured somebody would mention 3 phase converters in this discussion. Seems an easy path to getting 3 phase power.
I run my LT15 10 HP single phase on a 50 amp circuit using a 50' 6 ga. stranded wire extension cord from my shop terminating at a 50 amp throw switch with 50 amp slow burn fuses. Another 35' of 8 ga. Stranded wire from the switch up into the saw. Put a line amp meter on once and the start-up surge was in the low 40s and the run under load was in the mid to upper 30s as I recall. Have never tripped the breaker or burned a fuse. I saw a lot of large yard hardwoods having to trim the sides off to fit between the posts on the mill. I might slow down the feed rate a bit on huge logs but not noticeably and less than I would slow crossing a big knot. All that electric wire was initially expensive but I imagine it has given me a hundred fold payback over the years with electric vs. gas savings and $0 maintenance cost. Throw in neighbors 100' from my mill who tell me they can't hear me sawing inside their houses and I have never regretted the decision to go electric.