JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Nov 16, 2004 13:59:39 GMT -5
Would running my tumblers with power rated at 50 hertz vastly affect my results?
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Post by docone31 on Nov 16, 2004 16:41:57 GMT -5
I doubt you will notice it. Where do you get 50 Hertz? It sounds like a DC conversion. You should be all right. If the boob tube works on it, so will tumblers.
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JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Nov 16, 2004 17:00:57 GMT -5
I'm leaving for Iraq in a couple of days. I know the power at my site will be 220VAC at 50hz. I'll use a step-down transformer to get it to 120VAC but that won't change the hz. My concern is that the motor will run slower because of the 50hz. Clocks and any AC motor will run slower due to the difference in HZ. Will a 17% change it motor speed drastically affect my results?
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NMRockhound
starting to shine!
Member since October 2004
Posts: 48
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Post by NMRockhound on Nov 16, 2004 18:48:30 GMT -5
My understanding (which is pretty limited) is that the motor would draw more current at 50 Hz, and therefore be more likely to overheat. Probably the motor could handle this slight increase in current without any problems, but if you're unsure you may want to ask the manufacturer before trying it.
As for results, I suppose it would slow down the barrel a bit, making the tumbling action gentler. If you're tumbling glass, this might be good, but for harder materials, it would probably just mean somewhat longer times.
Take care of yourself over there...
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Tellfamily
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 476
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Post by Tellfamily on Nov 16, 2004 19:11:41 GMT -5
You will be fine. Think about Hertz as cycles. Beleive it or not, at 60 Hertz the power actually goes on and off 60 times a minute. (The human eye is not capable of seeing this.)
Not I'm going to get technicial and if I loose you, just remember your tumbler will be fine at 50 Hetrz.
The lower the voltage, 120 Volts, the higher the Hertz need to be or you would be able to see changes. The higher the voltage, 240 Volts, the Hertz can be lower.
Even though you will be "stepping the Voltage down" 50 Hertz still is not noticable, unless you look for it.
My wife has already made me redo this three times now.
Almost all appliences will function on 60 Hertz, which is pretty limited to USA & Canada. For the most part the rest of the world uses 50 Hertz.
Lower Hertz means fewer rotations and less heat, wear & tear on generating equipement. So maintenance is less often and less expensive (in theory). The quality of the electricty is not as nice, but unless you are dealing with high dollar electronics, just fine for what most people use & do.
Now that I have babbled for way too long.
Your tumbler will be fine. The motor will not be damaged at a steady 50 Hertz. If the militery is using their own generator, and turn it off, you will want to unplug the tumbler during start-up and well before turning it off.
While you are over there stay low and keep in touch. Thanks for standing up for the rest of us & come home safely!
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Post by docone31 on Nov 16, 2004 19:14:55 GMT -5
Ah, you did not say that you were stepping down current. I do not think it will hurt if it is not abused. It is not a lifetime going on, so it might make it. The worse that can happen is you might have to replace the motor. Hopefully your tour will not last that long. I was only in Viet Nam for 90 days. It was full of action though. I was shot the first day. Actually getting off the transport. I got really done in at day 85. I hope you have a much better tour than I did. Too much noise and gunfire. Really did not get a chance to do a lot of sightseeing. Good luck indeed.
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JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Nov 16, 2004 20:48:46 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice you guys. I'll keep you posted.
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Nov 17, 2004 23:48:37 GMT -5
We once had a large paper developer, or processor. This giant came from Germany and all the motors were wound for 50 hz. or 50 Cycles. It had 26 1 hp pump motors and 10 circulation motors at 2 HP each. they all ran too fast and ran hot due to the fact that they were trying to move material where a push of the inductive field could not be due to the incorrect winding of the motors. We had to have them all rewound locally to get them to work properly. Now that was a lot of info and this was critical manufacturing, for a tumbler...let it tumble and see if it gets too hot to put your hand on the motor after its been running for a few hours..if so you might have a problem....but more than likley you will be fine.
Dwight P
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JC
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by JC on Nov 18, 2004 10:48:12 GMT -5
Thanks Dwight, I'll take your advice.
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