James Waldby wrote:
On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:56:30 -0700, Searcher7 wrote:
I have an opportunity to pick up a Clausing 220V 10-inch table saw for
$100.

Can anyone tell me if it is a good idea to run one of these off a step-
up transformer?
Darren Harris
Srarten Island, New York.

Something like http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/tls/727715659.html ?
The motor looks like maybe 3 HP, which would run at about 25A into the
120V side of a 120-to-240 transformer. You won't find 25A 120V
circuits in ordinary residential circuit breaker boxes, and trying
to run it on a 15A or 20A circuit probably would be hopeless.

If your apartment has its own circuit breaker box with room for more
breakers, it's a simple matter to add a 20A 240V circuit. (While the
craigslist ad says 220V, it might actually mean 240V. But if not, and
if you are talking about stepping 240 down to 220, don't bother, just
run it on 240.) I assume that in your "Srarten Island" NYC apartment
you are required to hire a licensed electrician to plug in a breaker,
but if not you can buy appropriate wires, breakers and plugs at Ace,
Lowe's, or any good electrical supplier.

This saw looks like a great buy but probably is quite loud!

-jiw


I'll second that last comment. Probably a great buy and a bit loud, but perhaps he has an
out building / detached garage with his apartment. He doesn't say if it's a single phase
or three phase motor - and it could be either. Assuming single phase he should have no
problem at all getting it to run on his 110/220, 115/230 or 120/240 volt house current. He
could have 115/230 in the apartment but only 115 at the "shop" he plans to put it into.
Most motors / appliances have about a 10% voltage tolerance built in. I seriously doubt
he only has 115 volt current in his apartment - but it is possible, especially in an aging
"add on" apartment/converted garage or carport. IF this is the case then YES he could use
a transformer with a 115 volt single phase primary and 230 volt single phase secondary.
It would not be quite as efficient since no transformer has 100% efficiency. It is also
possible that it's a dual voltage motor and can be reconnected for 115 volt. He'd have
to be sure the circuit he installs it on is adequate for the FLA + 25% for starting load /
continuous duty of that voltage.

Just my $0.02 but I hope it helps.

Al