Tormek Community Forum

In the Shop => General Tormek Questions => Topic started by: Rafael on July 14, 2015, 05:47:21 AM

Title: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Rafael on July 14, 2015, 05:47:21 AM
Hi again,

I am planing to buy a new Tormek T7 because I am about to start a mobile sharpening unit. My question is about power. What is in your opinion the best solution? I think a gas power generator would be good but I don't know yet how big this should be, or what technical characteristics it has to have.
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Jan on July 14, 2015, 10:39:35 AM
Raphael,

The input power of the T7 motor is only 200 W at 230 V and 50 Hz. There are no special requirements for stability of voltage or frequency.

Any kind of small, quiet and portable petrol=gas generator (230 V) will be suitable for your mobile sharpening unit.  :)

Jan
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Ken S on July 14, 2015, 04:23:41 PM
At the risk of sounding like the chief cheerleader for the T4, the T4 only uses 120 watts It also weighs 7.4 kg instead of 14.5kg and is more compact. The accessories are the same.

I will defer to Jan's expertise on generators.

Ken
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Herman Trivilino on July 14, 2015, 07:48:12 PM
I seem to recall someone trying to do this on battery power with an inverter. It didn't work well so I think a generator is what's needed.
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Rafael on July 14, 2015, 08:53:42 PM
Thanks guys. I was thinking about inverter but the car engine has to run as long as I use Tormek and this way it cost more.
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Jan on July 14, 2015, 10:15:46 PM
Fully charged car battery 12 V, 50 Ah should be able to supply energy, through an inverter, for T4 (120 W) for some 4 hours. Theoretically.

The inverter has to be designed for el. motors, with sufficient surge power capability (at least 3 x 120 W).

Jan
Title: Re: Mobile Tormek!
Post by: Ken S on July 15, 2015, 02:05:42 PM
Jan,

What an interesting idea. If I was doing mobile work, being able to use an inverter instead of carrying a gas generator would seem wonderful. The combination of an investor with a T4 and an extension cord would seem just the ticket.

Bigger is not necessarily better, especially when the smaller unit works with the inverter.

Ken