New PowerPro

[colday]

Well, she said I could, so I did!

I ordered a brand new PowerPro head stock from Lowe's using my military discount & using their 18 month no finance charge offer. I suspect the air will be getting much cooler by the time I see it, but at least after 5 years (and several price increases) I finally have mine on order.

In the mean time I'm rewiring my shop. Years ago using 12-3 wire I wired one dedicated and several other outlets from two 15 amp breakers. Over the years memory loss amid many changes in the shop I could no longer remember which was the dedicated outlet! Now I'm putting in a dedicated 20 amp 220v for the PowerPro which will be a drop from the ceiling The other outlets will be on a single breaker, which is the last available spot I have in the panel.

Steve

[benush26]

Hey Steve,

Congratulations!

Just a quick note. Unless you really have a need for the 20amp circuit, you can install a 240 V 10amp for the PP. a B110 by most any maker will do the job. I have both a wall and drop outlet from that breaker, since it will only have one SS PP running on it. I raised the drop connection to just about a foot over my head (had it lower at first) because when not plugged in, I often had the safety visor up and would hit it, knocking off the visor. Yes, being less clumsy and more aware on my part would probably avoided the clanks, but raising it another 4" made a huge difference.

Enjoy your new found toy......when it finally arrives!

Be well,
Ben

[charlese]

I am sure you will be happy with your new unit. Congrats and best wishes.

[colday]

Hey Steve,

Unless you really have a need for the 20amp circuit, you can install a 240 V 10amp for the PP

Be well,
Ben

Hmm, 10 amp? I can find 15 amp double pole, but the 10 amp seem to be rare! I guess the question is, should I use a less than 20 amp? And, should I get a GFCI breaker? This circuit will only power only the Shopsmith.

Steve
(I've got to quit checking my order status twice a day or it is going to be a long 2-3 months!)

[benush26]

OOPS

A BR210

Two poles is the 2... My hero is the scarecrow (If I only had a brain!)

I originally had a different set up but gave away those breakers to another forum member who got a M7 because I was running out of room in the panel and went to the BR210

Anyway, do a quick search of BR210 and you should find any number of places that carry them. I bought a Butler because it is generic enough it fit my panel. Less than $15 plus delivery.

GFCI?? Now THAT might be a bit more rare and possibly pricey. I had my electrician install a whole house GFCI that handles all the breakers for the panel in the garage and house. It is a strange looking thing, but I "think" it also covers spikes and such, too.

Here is a Square D non GFCI from menards

http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/ ... 736471.htm

Since you won't be getting the PP within the next couple days (sorry about that), a quick internet search should find you a breaker or possibly a few calls to electrical suppliers in Anchorage gets you one locally.

The PP at 240 is a 7 amp circuit so the 10 handles it.

I spent my time before the M7 arrived designing everything I wanted to build! Lots of legal pads and spiral notebooks FILLED with ideas!

You will have SO MUCH FUN!!

Be well,
Ben

[BuckeyeDennis]

Hey Steve,

Unless you really have a need for the 20amp circuit, you can install a 240 V 10amp for the PP

Be well,
Ben

Hmm, 10 amp? I can find 15 amp double pole, but the 10 amp seem to be rare! I guess the question is, should I use a less than 20 amp? And, should I get a GFCI breaker? This circuit will only power only the Shopsmith.

Steve
(I've got to quit checking my order status twice a day or it is going to be a long 2-3 months!)

The purpose of the breaker is to ensure that the branch wiring does not overheat. So with 12AWG wire, you can use 20A breakers, assuming that the outlet is also rated for 20A. IIRC, code does allow the use of 15A outlets on a 20A branch circuit, as long as there is more than one outlet.

You don't need a GFCI breaker unless the outlet is in a location that requires one. Switching power supplies such as the one in the PowerPro typically generate electrical noise that requires an associated power-line filter. These filters, by design, allow small amounts of current to flow to ground, and can cause nuisance tripping of GFCI's. This problem has been reported with PowerPro headstocks. I you do use a GFCI, a "hospital grade" unit is less likely to have the nuisance-tripping problem.

[rcplaneguy]

Just curious....I thought the PowerPro uses less electricity than the older Mark V, correct?

[charlese]

Just curious....I thought the PowerPro uses less electricity than the older Mark V, correct?

The quick answer is YES!

[colday]

I'm starting to rethink my thinking!

It seems if I run a 240 drop I will actually loose more than I will gain:

• The drop can only be used by the Shopsmith (I have no other 240v tools)
• The 240 breaker will take my last spot in the panel

And then the plusses of using a 120 drop:

• A 120 drop can be used by several other tools
• A 120 drop will only use one slot
• I will have one spare slot for later use

The 240 drop will only give me the ¼ HP gain, and for what I do that isn't really worth it.

Steve

[claimdude]

I am no electrician but I took a 240 drop and split off a couple of 110s. Only one tool on the circuit is used at time and I left it all tied to the 220 breaker. may be a huge no-no but it has worked for me.

Jack