Converted my heavy duty 15 ton log splitter to electric-variable speed drive 7.5hp.
As you may remember my previous posts about this new to me splitter, with seized engine, pipe fittings etc., which I updated with a Kohler 14HP engine. Well, it split fir but couldn't do maple, so I ordered a new Speeco 16GPM 2 stage pump and wow! It didn't even split fur!! Well, turned out that after I put a pressure gauge in it, I found it was only making 1000psi. Thought it was a defective pump then thought to check the relief on the Energy kick off valve. It was set low, I guess so the previous, way too big pump wouldn't stall the engine. Cranked it in all the way and wamm! Made 5000psi. Ooops. Finally got it dialed in at 3000 and it works 100%. Splits all the big maple pieces now and all at just above idle on the Kohler. So I now know this engine is way too big for the pump, so I thought again about converting to electric, for a quiet, no maintenance, no exhaust splitter I can use in my wood shed. Here is what it looked like before I removed the Kohler. Note the new tires/wheels. Gets it up another 2" off the ground and puts everything at a nice height.
So I went to the local auction and found a nice big 7.5HP 3 phase electric motor attached to a big triplex pressure washing pump from a commercial installation, all mounted on a stainless chassis. Cool! $20 and it was all mine. I had already bought a Baldor 15H series 3 ph variable speed drive controller 2 years back, again dirt cheap at under $50, same auction place, and knew one day I would be able to use it. Well, this was it. I read the manual thoroughly and found it was a completely modern 5 year old 3 phase speed controller, as well as CONVERTER. It can convert from single phase to 3 phase. NICE! :dance1: The electric motor and pump even came with an L-099 Love Joy coupler and pump mounting bracket, which happened to fit the Speeco pump perfectly, after I drilled out 4 new holes. This was coming together nicely. I had no idea if the motor or controller worked, they may have all been burnt out or damaged, but after wiring everything together, I reprogrammed the Baldor controller for correct motor size and settings, fired it up and YES! It worked 100% first time out. Very cool. :thumbsup: It can generate any speed, varying frequency from 0 - 120Hz, which gives me 0 RPM to 3450 RPM. the name plate RPM is 1750 on the motor, and the Baldor rep said no problem doubling the speed up.
So now after 3 days of testing, and generating a big pile of split maple, I find that 89 Hz gives me 2900 RPM, is a quiet non resonant speed, and when the ram dead heads, makes 3000psi and peaks 25A on the primary input side of the controller. Otherwise, the idle current of the controller is 7A with no load or splitting easy wood. I ran an 8/3 cable out to the shed from a 40A breaker in the shop, and now have a beautiful, quiet, efficient wood splitter. Although still portable, it will probably just end up living in the wood shed. With a 3.5" cylinder on it, this is a 15 ton splitter, which seems to be plenty. I thought I would need a 25 ton plus to split this nasty maple but this does the job nicely.
Just need to buy the correct fittings to replace the pipe fittings, paint it and it's done.
Your thoughts?
Cheers
Paul
:drink:
As you may remember my previous posts about this new to me splitter, with seized engine, pipe fittings etc., which I updated with a Kohler 14HP engine. Well, it split fir but couldn't do maple, so I ordered a new Speeco 16GPM 2 stage pump and wow! It didn't even split fur!! Well, turned out that after I put a pressure gauge in it, I found it was only making 1000psi. Thought it was a defective pump then thought to check the relief on the Energy kick off valve. It was set low, I guess so the previous, way too big pump wouldn't stall the engine. Cranked it in all the way and wamm! Made 5000psi. Ooops. Finally got it dialed in at 3000 and it works 100%. Splits all the big maple pieces now and all at just above idle on the Kohler. So I now know this engine is way too big for the pump, so I thought again about converting to electric, for a quiet, no maintenance, no exhaust splitter I can use in my wood shed. Here is what it looked like before I removed the Kohler. Note the new tires/wheels. Gets it up another 2" off the ground and puts everything at a nice height.
So I went to the local auction and found a nice big 7.5HP 3 phase electric motor attached to a big triplex pressure washing pump from a commercial installation, all mounted on a stainless chassis. Cool! $20 and it was all mine. I had already bought a Baldor 15H series 3 ph variable speed drive controller 2 years back, again dirt cheap at under $50, same auction place, and knew one day I would be able to use it. Well, this was it. I read the manual thoroughly and found it was a completely modern 5 year old 3 phase speed controller, as well as CONVERTER. It can convert from single phase to 3 phase. NICE! :dance1: The electric motor and pump even came with an L-099 Love Joy coupler and pump mounting bracket, which happened to fit the Speeco pump perfectly, after I drilled out 4 new holes. This was coming together nicely. I had no idea if the motor or controller worked, they may have all been burnt out or damaged, but after wiring everything together, I reprogrammed the Baldor controller for correct motor size and settings, fired it up and YES! It worked 100% first time out. Very cool. :thumbsup: It can generate any speed, varying frequency from 0 - 120Hz, which gives me 0 RPM to 3450 RPM. the name plate RPM is 1750 on the motor, and the Baldor rep said no problem doubling the speed up.
So now after 3 days of testing, and generating a big pile of split maple, I find that 89 Hz gives me 2900 RPM, is a quiet non resonant speed, and when the ram dead heads, makes 3000psi and peaks 25A on the primary input side of the controller. Otherwise, the idle current of the controller is 7A with no load or splitting easy wood. I ran an 8/3 cable out to the shed from a 40A breaker in the shop, and now have a beautiful, quiet, efficient wood splitter. Although still portable, it will probably just end up living in the wood shed. With a 3.5" cylinder on it, this is a 15 ton splitter, which seems to be plenty. I thought I would need a 25 ton plus to split this nasty maple but this does the job nicely.
Just need to buy the correct fittings to replace the pipe fittings, paint it and it's done.
Your thoughts?
Cheers
Paul
:drink:
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