I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.

I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
time.

What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
like a multi-gang socket?

How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?

The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?

Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
answers please<g>.

Peter

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:50:38 +0100, Peter Neill 
wrote:

>
>I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>
>I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>time.
>
>What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>like a multi-gang socket?
>
>How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>
>The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>
>Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>answers please<g>.
>
>Peter

There is no reason why you cannot use 3-phase extension leads, we use them at
the factory and at home in the workshop.

You need to use the correct 4-pin (3ph + E) or 5-pin (3ph + N + E) according to
what you need, and the cable must be something like either the wire armoured
flexible with clear PVC sheath, or the harmonised HOFR7 or HO7 equivalent to the
old TRS or Tough Rubber Sheathed cable.

A good earth leakage breaker is a MUST if you have such cables on the floor.

We may have some odd lengths of new 4mm 4-core cable that we could sort out,
plus we have lots of the red 4-pin and 5 pin connectors.

Peter
--
Peter & Rita Forbes
Email: diesel@easynet.co.uk
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel
http://www.stationary-engine.co.uk
http://www.oldengine.co.uk

On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>
> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
> time.
>
> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
> like a multi-gang socket?
>
> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>
> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>
> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
> answers please<g>.
>
> Peter

Peter,
I cant remember if your transwave has a socket on the front (my
convertor does).
If it does then Id use that with an appropriate length of flexable
cable to each machine.
Just plug in the appropriate one.
Ive got my Mill Hardwired into the back of my convertor, but the
sockect at the front is
still live and useable.

Dave

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:50:38 +0100, Peter Neill
 wrote:

>
>I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>
>I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>time.
>
>What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>like a multi-gang socket?
>
>How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>
>The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>
>Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>answers please<g>.
>
>Peter

I did the semi-permanent extensinon lead job in my workshop last year
and it's fine. As others have pointed out make sure you have an RCD if
they're on the floor. You can get the proper plugs and sockets at
places like CEF, but I was quoted GBP28 for one plug and one socket
just last week as I was altering the system, that's taking the piss. 

They're about GBP3 each from Farnel as long as you're buying more than
20 quids worth or there's a bloke on fleaBay called newt2002uk who
does them for slightly more than Farnel, but no minimum.

Richard

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:45:06 +0100, Richard
 wrote:

>On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:50:38 +0100, Peter Neill
> wrote:
>
>>
>>I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>>after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>>
>>I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>>the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>>time.
>>
>>What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>>converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>>board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>>3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>>sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>>like a multi-gang socket?
>>
>>How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>>
>>The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>>roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>>size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>>
>>Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>>answers please<g>.
>>
>>Peter
>
>I did the semi-permanent extensinon lead job in my workshop last year
>and it's fine. As others have pointed out make sure you have an RCD if
>they're on the floor. You can get the proper plugs and sockets at
>places like CEF, but I was quoted GBP28 for one plug and one socket
>just last week as I was altering the system, that's taking the piss. 
>
>They're about GBP3 each from Farnel as long as you're buying more than
>20 quids worth or there's a bloke on fleaBay called newt2002uk who
>does them for slightly more than Farnel, but no minimum.
>
>Richard
I have 2 32A 5pin surface mount sockets with plugs. If any good to you
you can have them for the carriage cost, or collect Cheltenham.

--

Richard

Email address is valid but remove burrs before sending!

On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>
> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
> time.
>
> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
> like a multi-gang socket?
>
> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>
> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>
> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
> answers please<g>.
>
> Peter

HI peter,
 You can make MDF boxes like this with surface mounted sockets ...and
site them around your workshop

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/drill/full.jpg

or

 You can put the cable coming from the converter into a box like this
and have lots of cables coming out going to individual surface mount
sockets ...box was about £5

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg

how it looks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/FARBOX.jpg


sockets about £4 each .these are nice ones with iris type cable clamp.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOCKET.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOUTHBEND.jpg

all the best.markj

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:55:12 -0700 (PDT), mark
 wrote:

>On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
>> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>>
>> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>> time.
>>
>> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>> like a multi-gang socket?
>>
>> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>>
>> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>>
>> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>> answers please<g>.
>>
>> Peter
>
>HI peter,
> You can make MDF boxes like this with surface mounted sockets ...and
>site them around your workshop
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/drill/full.jpg
>
>or
>
> You can put the cable coming from the converter into a box like this
>and have lots of cables coming out going to individual surface mount
>sockets ...box was about £5
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg
>
>how it looks
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/FARBOX.jpg
>
>
>sockets about £4 each .these are nice ones with iris type cable clamp.
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOCKET.jpg
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOUTHBEND.jpg
>
>all the best.markj

As the worklight is a tilley lamp, I am surprised you are not using a
treadle <G>
For the OP the cable used is "SY"

--

Richard

Email address is valid but remove burrs before sending!

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:55:12 -0700 (PDT), mark
 wrote:

>On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
>> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>>
>> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>> time.
>>
>> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>> like a multi-gang socket?
>>
>> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>>
>> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>>
>> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>> answers please<g>.
>>
>> Peter
>
>HI peter,
> You can make MDF boxes like this with surface mounted sockets ...and
>site them around your workshop
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/drill/full.jpg
>
>or
>
> You can put the cable coming from the converter into a box like this
>and have lots of cables coming out going to individual surface mount
>sockets ...box was about £5
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg
>
>how it looks
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/FARBOX.jpg
>
>
>sockets about £4 each .these are nice ones with iris type cable clamp.
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOCKET.jpg
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOUTHBEND.jpg
>
>all the best.markj


Many thanks to everybody for all the replies, it's just the sort of
information I was looking for.
And thanks again for all the offers of plugs & sockets. I've got some
of these that I kept when we shut down the old factory about 2 years
ago, and hopefully these will do the trick.

What I was unsure about was how to use these, but i think the question
has been answered now.

Markj, thats exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. Central feed out
from the convertor to a distribution point with sockets.
In this picture here, how have you wired up the box inside?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg

Is there a central busbar or similar with individual circuit breakers,
or have you done it a different way? Wouldn't mind a pic of the inside
if you can manage that,

Thanks again

Peter

mark wrote:
> On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
>> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
>> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>>
>> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
>> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
>> time.
>>
>> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
>> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
>> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
>> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
>> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
>> like a multi-gang socket?
>>
>> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>>
>> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
>> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
>> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>>
>> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
>> answers please<g>.
>>
>> Peter
> 
> HI peter,
>  You can make MDF boxes like this with surface mounted sockets ...and
> site them around your workshop
> 
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/drill/full.jpg
> 
> or
> 
>  You can put the cable coming from the converter into a box like this
> and have lots of cables coming out going to individual surface mount
> sockets ...box was about £5
> 
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg
> 
> how it looks
> 
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/FARBOX.jpg
> 
> 
> sockets about £4 each .these are nice ones with iris type cable clamp.
> 
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOCKET.jpg
> 
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOUTHBEND.jpg
> 
> all the best.markj

What type of cable is that? is it shielded?

Dave

On 15 Jun, 08:51, Peter Neill  wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:55:12 -0700 (PDT), mark
>
>
>
>
>
>  wrote:
> >On 14 Jun, 08:50, Peter Neill  wrote:
> >> I should be shortly be installing my Bantam & 540 in the workshop
> >> after a long delay, but have a question about getting power to them.
>
> >> I have a Transwave static converter (3Kw/4Hp) which will be running
> >> the Bridgy in addition to the above, but obviously not all at the same
> >> time.
>
> >> What's the best (cheapest/easiest)  way to get the power from the
> >> converter to these machines? Do I need to install a pukka distribution
> >> board hard wired to the converter, or can I use something like a
> >> 3-phase 'extension lead', into a 'panel' with seperate 3-phase
> >> sockets, and then run leads with plugs into this panel, a bit like
> >> like a multi-gang socket?
>
> >> How has anyone done this with a similar requirement?
>
> >> The machines are all in a single-car garage, and will be spaced around
> >> roughly an 8' x 8' area. Do I need to be concerned about length (and
> >> size) of cable runs and voltage drops etc?
>
> >> Lots of questions, but I'm fairly electrically dyslexic, so simple
> >> answers please<g>.
>
> >> Peter
>
> >HI peter,
> > You can make MDF boxes like this with surface mounted sockets ...and
> >site them around your workshop
>
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/drill/full.jpg
>
> >or
>
> > You can put the cable coming from the converter into a box like this
> >and have lots of cables coming out going to individual surface mount
> >sockets ...box was about £5
>
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg
>
> >how it looks
>
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/FARBO...
>
> >sockets about £4 each .these are nice ones with iris type cable clamp.
>
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOCKE...
>
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/SOUTH...
>
> >all the best.markj
>
> Many thanks to everybody for all the replies, it's just the sort of
> information I was looking for.
> And thanks again for all the offers of plugs & sockets. I've got some
> of these that I kept when we shut down the old factory about 2 years
> ago, and hopefully these will do the trick.
>
> What I was unsure about was how to use these, but i think the question
> has been answered now.
>
> Markj, thats exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. Central feed out
> from the convertor to a distribution point with sockets.
> In this picture here, how have you wired up the box inside?http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/aboard_epsilon/workbench/BOX.jpg
>
> Is there a central busbar or similar with individual circuit breakers,
> or have you done it a different way? Wouldn't mind a pic of the inside
> if you can manage that,
>
> Thanks again
>
> Peter- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Not a lot in there

just a block connector

sent you picture

needed the big box for future expansion and it gives you plenty of
room to get in there and join everything up .

Yes.. cable is shielded ...its known as SY cable... just
remember ...suits-you :)

4 core 1.5

its quite cheap stuff as well.... under a £1 a metre...may have been
cheaper than that ...cant remember.

all the best.mark