Another saw converted to 220v

I agree.....

Barry Irby

I bought my Rockwell contractors saw in the early 70's and it came with a 1 1/2 hp motor. A couple of years later the motor failed. I may have pushed it too hard, but there was a rumor at the time that Rockwell was using substandard motors. Replaced the motor with a Dayton rated at 1 3/4 hp and changed the wiring to 220. Been fine ever since.

also agreed

Jack Guzman from Maine

I converted my Jet contractor saw when I first got it and installed an extra long heavy duty cord. Just make sure you follow electric codes when choosing the cord, plug and breaker. It really made a difference in the function of the saw.

Re: also agreed

Pete in Holland MI

Mine's a Jet contractor saw also. 1.5 hp.

Can fly thru 1" oak with a 50 tooth combination blade.

Have ripped full 2" hard maple with a good ripping blade at a pretty good clip too!

Re: Another saw converted to 220v

John McGaw

I'll definitely recommend running your power-hungry equipment on the highest voltage you can. But I will be pedantic and say that in North America, that higher voltage will be 240V, not 220V. I never did figure out why that 220V number became common parlance unless that is the standard number in many parts of the world. (at 50Hz, not 60Hz as we use).

Re: Another saw converted to 220v

Bill Howatt

I think it is historical. Years ago it was common to see items rated at 110V and this gave 220V across both legs. Later the 115V and then 117V ratings appeared and then 120V. This is all from my memory.

Thus the 240V became common but there was/is still a large number of people who keep referring to 220V when the number is really 240V. Young people hear 220 repeated so they start using it and the value continues.

I did read once that large motors were spec'd at 230V because the line drops on larger ones put a voltage closer to 230 at their terminals due to line loss.

On the 240 conversion, I think if the supply wire to the saw is of sufficient size such that there is little to no voltage drop on the line that the saw will perform the same on either voltage. The size is also dependent on electrical distance from the panel. The motor uses the same coils but they are connected in series or parallel depending on the voltage. The fact that the current is half on the 240V configuration makes voltage drop along the supply line less.

Bill

Re: Another saw converted to 220v

John McGaw

Yes. I suspect that the improved motor power is almost entirely due to reduced resistive loss because of the halved current. When I installed the cord on my Robland I made it ridiculously over-gauge to avoid voltage drop feeding the multiple 3hp motors and I often regret the big fat pipe when it (invariably) gets in the way.