Rick Harper on fri 26 apr 96
My wife and I have to return from Nottingham to our
home in Florida in June. Since we've been in England,
she has acquired a Cromartie 6 cu ft electric kiln and
a wheel (I can't remember the name, but it seems to me
very heavy, turned by a big cone coming in contact with
a leather friction plate, if that makes any sense...).
The kiln draws 9kw at 240v.
The question is should we sell them here in the UK
and replace them in the States or pay shipping (about
USD400) and bring them with us? Will we be able to use
this kiln with US 220 power? Will it be very costly to
convert (replace?) the wheel's 240 motor for US
current? How much might it cost for similar
equipment (secondhand) in the states, and is it
readily available? If shipping cost were the only
issue, we'd bring them, because my wife likes them...
Thanks for any insights -
Rick Harper
Eric Lindgren on fri 26 apr 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>My wife and I have to return from Nottingham to our
>home in Florida in June. Since we've been in England,
>she has acquired a Cromartie 6 cu ft electric kiln and
>a wheel (I can't remember the name, but it seems to me
>very heavy, turned by a big cone coming in contact with
>a leather friction plate, if that makes any sense...).
> The kiln draws 9kw at 240v.
> The question is should we sell them here in the UK
>and replace them in the States or pay shipping (about
>USD400) and bring them with us? Will we be able to use
>this kiln with US 220 power? Will it be very costly to
>convert (replace?) the wheel's 240 motor for US
>current? How much might it cost for similar
>equipment (secondhand) in the states, and is it
>readily available? If shipping cost were the only
>issue, we'd bring them, because my wife likes them...
>
>Thanks for any insights -
>
>Rick Harper
--------------------------------------
Rick,
About the wheel: due to the 60 cycle system in North America, versus the 50
cycles in Britain, the wheel will run 20% faster. This is not necessarily a
good thing! Also the motor might overheat a bit. Depends on the motor
specifics, whether or not replacement is cost-effective. Rewiring costs
about US$100 plus dismantling and reassembling the wheel, and isn't as good
as factory built motors.
The kiln will work, but will draw more kw. If its controller depends on 240
or on 50 cycles, you *may* be out of luck. Perhaps an even bigger problem,
if you were here in Canada, would be that you don't have the proper
approvals on the equipment to get it hooked up by an electrician. This
would invalidate your insurance here - I don't know about the specifics in
Florida, but it's an important question to ask.
For both items I would sell, then buy again in the States.
Bon voyage,
Eric Lindgren
lindgren@muskoka.com
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