Assembling my Altmill MK2. I see the spindle has a different plug and my fault for not researching power requirements. So, all I have are 110v outlets. What are my best options without having to hire an electrician to put a 220v outlet in?
@josemill0012 If getting 220V is out of the question, your only other option is to go with a 120V spindle. Sienci sell an 120V ER20 spindle but there are other manufacturers as well.
Even with a 120V spindle, it is recommended that you have a dedicated circuit for it.
2 Likes
Welcome to the forum. I am in no way endorsing this and it’s generally a bad idea, but this is what I used to do before I had my current shop. I have a 220v 12” table saw. The last 2 places I lived had a clothes dryer outlet within reach that I would use. Have to make sure the wire gauge of the cord you use can more than handle the current draw over the distance.
Me being in the EU, with our big boi power supply, have to use a step down transformer to be able to power my long mill. It’s a small device, not more than a transformer and a switch, a big boi 240V power cord at the input side, and a baby power 120V outlet to connect the longmill to. It works well, no hickups.
However, stepping down a 500max device is not a problem, when stepping up, especially with a 2.2kw spindle, you are prolly looking at maxing out your circuit breakers. I have no knowledge what amperages are used in 120V areas, but I have the feeling the wiring and breakers are a wee less robust than over here.
There are 3kW step up tranformers available for about 100 dollars, but you need to research if your installation can handle that kind of abuse before burning yer house down.
The issue is the amp draw on a 2.2 at full load can be up to 18-20 amps on 110v. Most 110v outlets in the US top out at 15 amps. Due to ohms law, the same spindle theoretically draws half the amps at 220v. The same issue would exist with a step up transformer.
Hi, Im new to the form, this really isn’t a question about the 2.2kw power supply but it is question about the 2.2Kw spindle. I have the MK2 with the extension, I have installed the 2.2Kw water cooled spindle. I have a problem with the v wheels, they flatten and stop turning because of the weight of the spindle. Tech support at Sienci Labs let me know that the Mk2 was never designed to support the weight of the spindle. Is anybody using a spindle on the Mk2, and if so how did you get around the failing of the v wheels? Your help would be greatly appreciated.
I run an air cooled 2.2kw. I just replaced my v-wheels. Installed my spindle last December. I think I may have replaced the v-wheels one other time during the 3 years I have had it.
Thanks Kerry, well i guess the adventure begins. I have checked everything I could think of. Do you run the electrical feed threw the drag chain or do you suspend it from the ceiling?
Everything is in the drag chain including the 3 cables for the laser. Only thing suspended is the 4” dust hose. Water cooled spindles are quite a bit heavier than air cooled though.
Okay thanks, do you have the extended X rail? {57”}