Converting a 120V motor to 240V

[OnlyStihl]

I noticed that my new Dewalt Air Compressor motor is also 240V capable. Simple to do, but I'd have to get into the breaker panel, install a double pole double throw breaker, run some line, mount a receptacle, and change the plug on the compressor, all doable.

What are the advantages? What gain, if any might I see?

 

[jblnut]

If it runs fine at 120v leave it be.

You’d see fewer amps being drawn at the panel but if you’re not having issues with things being overloaded already don’t worry about it.

That being said. If you want to and are able to go for it !!

 

[OnlyStihl]

If it runs fine at 120v leave it be.

You’d see fewer amps being drawn at the panel but if you’re not having issues with things being overloaded already don’t worry about it.

That being said. If you want to and are able to go for it !!

From my research of today, it looks like startup is the only possible benefit. As of now the compressor is connected to an outlet that has a 30amp dedicated breaker. No real benefit that I can imagine.

 

[Bill G]

The only benefit would be to the store that you buy the breaker, wire, plug, and outlet from.

Monday was the dawn of better times. We have to get the economy rolling ya know....

 

[Stihlcutting]

The way that I understand it is. If Your motor is pretty far away from your breaker panel you would want to run 240v because of the amperage drop. If you are close to your panel, then 120v is sufficient. I don't know the formula for figuring that out but there is one.

 

[Bill G]

The way that I understand it is. If Your motor is pretty far away from your breaker panel you would want to run 240v because of the amperage drop. If you are close to your panel, then 120v is sufficient. I don't know the formula for figuring that out but there is one.

Here

 

[OnlyStihl]

The way that I understand it is. If Your motor is pretty far away from your breaker panel you would want to run 240v because of the amperage drop. If you are close to your panel, then 120v is sufficient. I don't know the formula for figuring that out but there is one.

Yeah, I'm about 2 feet away from the panel. I'll leave things alone. I think. I bought/ordered today, a bench drill press that will be in the same location. Maybe it too, can be converted to 240?

 

[Bill G]

Even if it could be there would be no reason to do so. A drill press like that draws very little amperage. The air compressor you bought draws a max of 15 amps at run and 20 amps at startup. That is on 120 volt. I would leave things they way they are.

 

[r7000]

I noticed that my new Dewalt Air Compressor motor is also 240V capable.

what model?

 

[OnlyStihl]

what model?

dxcm251

 

[Al Smith]

It's a matter of opinion .I prefer to use the highest voltage available .Most but not all single phase motors can be ran on either 120 or 240 volts Likewise most three phase motors can run on 240 or 480 volts .However often times some older motors are only for 240 and some industrial motors can be for 480 only .My shop has just about any voltage you could ever want with a DIY rotary three phase convertor and a bunch of transformers .

 

[NZsaws]

Come to NZ, it's all 240v here.

 

[Bill G]

Come to NZ, it's all 240v here.

Is it 50 or 60?

 

[NZsaws]

50hz

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

The only benefit would be to the store that you buy the breaker, wire, plug, and outlet from.

Exactly.

They use the same amount of power either way.

As said earlier the only real benefit is if your a long ways from the breaker box.

 

[Joe Kidd]

Who uses breakers? Hardwire that bish.

 

[Joe Kidd]

Exactly.

They use the same amount of power either way.

As said earlier the only real benefit is if your a long ways from the breaker box.

And you know I still have a hard time explaining that to some of my customers, that you're charged per watt consumption. e.g., 10A@240v or 20A@120v, same wattage.

 

[beaglebriar]

Your motor will have more torque and startup will be faster while drawing half the amps on 240v. This will help with longevity. I run all of the large equipment in my shop on 240 because there’s no downside.

 

[Likesaws]

Exactly what he said ^^^. Less stress on motor at start up.

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

@OnlyStihl what size motor does your compressor have? What's the amps drawn @ 120v?