longest electrical cord to pump

[sapman]

Just wondering what the farthest is anyone has had to run to supply power to a vac pump. I'm looking at having to go 8-900 ft. at low voltage, since the power company wants a fortune to run poles. Thinking about going with 00 aluminum, on the ground seasonally, to keep the voltage up enough.

[western mainer]

I would not use aluminum as you will have a even larger voltage lost, It's better to use copper and run at a higher voltage,at 900' there's going to be a big drop.
Brian

[maplecrest]

i ran 01 alm. 2000 ft. with a three amp drop.run 4.4 kw 3 phase motor with vfd [5hp] and a ceramic heater and a electric releaser.lights , heat tapes. on 219

[upsmapleman]

Put the pump where you have electric and run pipe to you bush.

[tuckermtn]

not to ask the obvious, but why not put pump at power and run vac line 900 ft. to releaser?

[maplecrest]

after a season like this last one. power at the tanks is key. heat to keep releasers working ,heat tapes to empty tanks. makes for less head aches and more sap

[maple flats]

To run power a 900' distance you will be far better running a step up and then step down transformer. At the power source run a step up, the higher the voltage the better, at point of use run a step down. I will give you some examples for rated voltages and wire gauge needed if you give me the end use volts and amp load. Include start surge. I'll check back later today to do the calculations.

[sapman]

Same reasons as Maplecrest, as to location of vac pump and power. I heard yesterday about your idea from another man, Dave. That's new to me. Think I'll need in the neighborhood of 5kw max. Copper does make a lot of sense, but I'm afraid costs would skyrocket.
Thanks guys,
Tim

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

give me the exact distance, voltage, amperage I will get back to you, Don't guess on it you will burn up the motor. Aluminum is fine to run, the thing is the AWG has to be larger than copper to make up for the resistance loss.

[markct]

another option with the power company is underground and you are responisble to install the conduit and transformer pad and they pull the wire and provide the transformer, thats what i am having done for my house that will be 650 ft from the road. for just vac tho do what i have setup now at my sugarbush, 1000ft of black pipe is alot cheaper than any wire, and vac carries for miles no problem.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

i have done some calcs with out knowing specific numbers and I dont think you want to pay that money for just that vac pump

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

ok here is what I figured

Aluminum constant
(K) 21.2
I = Amperage = 30
D = Distance = 900'
CM = Circular Mills = 167,800 (3/0)

VD = K x I x D / CM

42.4 x 30 x900 = 1,144,800 / 167,800= 6.8 volts / 240 = 2.8% drop
240-6.8= 233.2 Volt
If memory serves its allowed to run a motor at -10 volts below name plate rating and only +5 above.
If any other electricians or engineers here sound out if I missed something.

Would I personally do this, no, but if a customer wanted to pay me I'll take any one's money:D

[Mark]

I have a pump station 2800 feet away with 8000 taps running into it. I run 2 inch pipe for the vacuum transfer line and 4/O aluminum wire for two transfer pumps. Two 1 1/2 hp Grundfos pumps on two 1 1/4" transfer lines. When the pumps are starting I was expecting to see a voltage drop but it worked out much better than planned, only lost a few volts.

[KenWP]

I burnt up two skil saws and a table saw trying to run them on a 100 foot cord last summer. Now I have to carry the cut wood to where I need it.

[Acer]

Run a vac transfer line for vac and a smaller electric service for transfer pumps small heater etc.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

When the pumps are starting I was expecting to see a voltage drop but it worked out much better than planned, only lost a few volts.



you checked the voltage while both pumps running? is that how I understand it.
120 or 240 1.5 hp motors

[sapman]

I like the idea of putting the vac close to main power, and running small wire for the rest. Problem is, I'm putting in a Busch pump w/transducer, so it's probably better to have it close to the electric releaser, etc. But you're all giving me a lot to think about!

[maplecrest]

the vfd will start the pump slowly. will not be a big spike on the power. is the releaser on vfd too or 1 hp 220? the way i did it is hot leg with good ground.

[sapman]

Just straight 1 hp 230v, no vfd.