Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 23, 2007 Save gas and diesel, Ok wiz, I have a question that I need a good answer. I have never used and electric machine, I want to know how they work and if the power supply is good enough do they work like a gas power machine? I need 3500 and hot water, in your opinion do they work well. Next can I convert these gas guzzlers motors to electric? And what would be the easiest way to do it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
One Tough Pressure 580 Report post Posted June 24, 2007 Ron, The power requirements for electric motors the size you are going to need are going to require an awfully large generator. The size of that alone will take up most of your space. Check out Dave Olsen, he uses electirc motors on his set ups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 24, 2007 The factory is saying it can be done, i just wanna here guys like wiz that work on them tell me the in and outs. Thanks for your thoughts, I believe your correct i had the same opionion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Johnson 141 Report post Posted June 24, 2007 5 gpm, 3,000 psi = 10 hp electric 10 hp electric = 230 v, 1 ph - 45 amps 230 v, 3 ph - 27 amps 460 v, 3 ph - 14 amps major power requirements... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 24, 2007 so how many watt genny do yah need...???? would a 4500 watt do it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOPER 14 Report post Posted June 25, 2007 so how many watt genny do yah need...???? would a 4500 watt do it? No Ron you will need a much bigger generator probably around 15,000 watt. 10,000 may work, but i would think it would be close. May take a little more than the 10,000 watts to start the machine. One thing about the electric machines is that you can either buy one with a full shut down (when you let off the trigger the entire machine shuts down either right then or with a built in timer), or can install one if the machine doesn't come with it. I believe this greatly improves the life of the machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks for the answers, I will wait to see what the factory is cooking up. This is a large stadium here in AZ and i want to use all electric units so we can keep the roof closed. No emisions. The trucks can actually pull in... I may plug into there power? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hotwaterwizard 33 Report post Posted June 25, 2007 Don't forget the heating elements draw aLMOST As much as the electric motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mas3372 14 Report post Posted June 25, 2007 I would think that a gas machine would be more efficient than an electric. If you use a generator, your gonna throw a ton of gas into that. If you are hooking up to an outlet, the electricy is being produced by burning gas, diesel, coal, wood, etc. Just my thoughts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOPER 14 Report post Posted June 26, 2007 What about propane? They could be ran indoors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danster 15 Report post Posted June 26, 2007 When I first bought this company ten years ago, my wash truck was set up like this. It had two Cat pumps (3000psi w/ 4gpm) with 7.5 hp electric motors. Everything was running off a 15 KW genset. It ran the motors, a water pump to keep the pressure steady because one pressure washer was mounted on top of the other so gravity was out of the question. It worked great, but an expensive setup for nothing, but the former owner of the company had everything on hand so he just built this setup. The truck burnt and insurance paid so I now have two general pumps with 4gpm, 4000psi with 18hp Honda's. Also have a 5800psi, 6.6 gpm with a 38hp Lombardini diesel all in the back of my truck. BTW its in back of a 5 ton with a 24 ft box. My advice if you want portable, don't go electric. ITS NOT WORTH IT. You won't save any money on fuel, the genset take up quite a bit of fuel to run plus its very expensive if you want a good reliable one. Then.....well I won't go into repairs... Dan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tmrrptr 164 Report post Posted June 26, 2007 Even if someone else would be paying for the juice, propane power might still be better than dragging around an umbilical cord. r Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hotwaterwizard 33 Report post Posted June 26, 2007 Give it up. What if you run out of Propane in the middle of a job at 3am? You can get diesel at 3am. Just try to get Propane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 30, 2007 I would think that a gas machine would be more efficient than an electric. If you use a generator, your gonna throw a ton of gas into that. If you are hooking up to an outlet, the electricy is being produced by burning gas, diesel, coal, wood, etc. Just my thoughts. agreed, how about I save money and the customer buys the coal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 30, 2007 What about propane? They could be ran indoors. its still 250 a gallon.. thanks for the advice. i have two propane and disel disel rigs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
One Tough Pressure 580 Report post Posted June 30, 2007 Thread has been edited for going way off topic. Lets try to help Ron decide what is best rather than squabble over pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 30, 2007 Thanks Allen, I may be able like and RV plug in at location. Just for thought, golf carts run on electric. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hotwaterwizard 33 Report post Posted June 30, 2007 Well lets remove the points too. Propane does not heat as well as Diesel. Gallon to gallon Diesel is more efficient. Join Date: Dec 2003 Never had a violation for anything. Now Points against his name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BULLDOG 14 Report post Posted July 3, 2007 Hey Ron, have you found out anything? I was thinking the same thing. How about making your own bio-fuel from used restaurant cooking oil? Heard McDonalds is considering doing that to run their trucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites