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And this concludes one of the longest episodes in machine moving history....

TorontoBuilder said:
I'm a curious cat. I hate a black box.
Click to expand...

This I totally understand. TOTALLY!

I gather that you didn't see my energy monitor when you were here. It's an invisible sort of thing I guess.

My curiosity is insatiable. I spend waaaay to much money trying unsuccessfully to satisfy it.

@CWret recently bought a real time power meter specifically to understand and optimize his shop air filter. The man is loco. But I get it! I thought he was gunna do a thread on it for everyone's benefit. I hope he does. It's cool stuff.

Here is my shop RIGHT NOW at 4 am. I can simply login to my energy monitor and know what is using what.

Screenshot_20260923_041039_Emporia Energy.jpg

These amp meters are located in my breaker box, but I also have a number of individual sensors that can measure individual devices that are accessed via the devices tab at the bottom left. Because they collect data, I can get cumulative and seasonal data.

I don't get power factor data, but I can get that when and if needed.

The little device that @CWret bought (ya, I later bought one too) is circuit specific - you plug it into an outlet and then plug the device into it, but it gives you instantaneous information.

Screenshot_20260923_042003_Amazon Shopping.jpg


You probably know all this stuff to follow, but I'm posting anyway for the benefit of other curious George's like us.

For your application, I'd be inclined to make a special circuit using a very low resistance block to convert current into voltage for monitoring purposes.

Something like this

Screenshot_20260923_043256_Amazon Shopping.jpg

RIIEYOCA 100A 75mV Ammeter shunt，DC Current Shunt Resistor for Digital Ammeter Analog Meter : Amazon.ca: Automotive

RIIEYOCA 100A 75mV Ammeter shunt，DC Current Shunt Resistor for Digital Ammeter Analog Meter : Amazon.ca: Automotive
a.co

With such a device (or a small current coil), a small scope allows you to examine individual waveforms. A storage scope will let you assess transient (startup and shutdown) signals too.
 
Susquatch said:
@CWret recently bought a real time power meter specifically to understand and optimize his shop air filter. The man is loco.
Click to expand...
I've had several conversations with Craig about his shop filter.... he is not that crazy 😉


Susquatch said:
You probably know all this stuff to follow, but I'm posting anyway for the benefit of other curious George's like us.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I appreciate you sharing for others.


This is the system I installed in my friend Dave's shop to work out starting sequences and maximum concurrent machine operations.

Why you ask do we need that? He is going to install PV solar system and most solar inverters operate just like the inverters in a VFD, they han't handle inrush current well.

This home has a deep well pump, and a geothermal heat pump with a 5 1/2 ton compressor, and all the machines. I'm designing a system that does not use the typical Chinese inverters that are all running on high-frequency based IGBTs or MOSFETS but rather iron cored transformers to be able to absorb inrush currents for more than 1/2 second.

The equipment options are severely limited... or like Schneider, all commercial and too costly


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TorontoBuilder said:
Yeah, but I appreciate you sharing for others.
Click to expand...

No problem.

Your power monitoring looks almost identical to mine. I assume it's an Emporia system too. Mine is currently configured for tax calculations. But it's easy to reconfigure.

I doubt it will handle stuff like In rush. Hence my resistor or cable coil and scope suggestion.
 
VFD! I have what appears to be the same one on my lathe with little instructions and I haven't had the time to look into or use.

1790209995456.png

The power monitor is neat as well but not something I'd do for myself. I don't want to see the energy consumption... ignorance is bliss 😱 😳
 
architect said:
ignorance is bliss
Click to expand...
Don't I know it. This summer I discovered a host of new health issues I'd rather not have known about


architect said:
VFD! I have what appears to be the same one on my lathe with little instructions and I haven't had the time to look into or use.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm going to post a new dedicated thread for VFD parameters for just that model, because when I tried to use one on our old lathe I had issues with not understanding the manuals and not being able to implement the functions I wanted to.

I gave up and bought an L510 westinghouse IIRC.

BUT I want to try again to understand ever last parameter and see if they can be made to work well for most applications...

Because I have the surface grinder in the works, a belt knife grinder, and my friend needs to convert several machines to use 3ph and VFD or a soft start devices. VFDs are cheaper
 
Hey fellas, thanks for the nod. I'm alive and well, but it's been a year.

After some misadventures overseas, I decided to step back from the edge and take e break, opened a little shop, and started restoring vintage Airstream trailers, hoping I could wear myself out and sleep through the nightmares that plague me from previous exploits.

Now I have nightmares of rivet guns and polished aluminum, cult-like Airstream owners and off-grid battery systems, lol. But it's been a ride. I'm moving on to classic boat restorations next, with a two year project on a few stunning(eventually) Cris Craft boats from the early part of the century.

I hope your VFD woes get resolved on that grinder, and Sasquatch, tell your fabulous partner I still daydream of her cooking, you're a lucky dog my friend.

Be well and safe, I'll see you around sometime soon.

PatIMG_4423.jpegIMG_6801.jpeg
 
Great to hear Patrick! I've been wondering how you are doing. So has Maria.

Every so often we think about getting an AirStream. Or even an Avion copy. I knew a fellow from Ohio that had an AStream he used to drag to Manitoulin every summer. HE LOVED IT!

Are you putting solar panels on the roof or on a ground rack? My son bought a 5th Wheel with solar panels on the roof and a Inverter/Lithium pack in the storage space. Cool stuff but you couldn't cook or dry your hair with it.

Chriscraft? - not happening!

Quite the shop you have there! Looks pretty empty......
 
I've taken a few Airstreams from muddy fields to show winners, body-off full restorations, and done some intense off-grid Victron popwersystems for the boodocker types.

I think they're best suited to those who want to do 20,000km loops of the continent, they're pretty glam for local parks, though the missus and I had a great time in ours at Killbear last fall.

Yes, the shop is a lean clean production space, but behind me is a fully stocked metal shop, wood shop and mechanical shop, laser welder and all; my cup runneth over.

Miss your face man, hope we can have lunch again sometime.


IMG_4554.jpegIMG_9052.jpegIMG_2428.jpegImage 2026-05-10 at 3.21 PM.jpeg
 
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