[BC] Transformers needed

[Bill Sepmeier]

Just considering the options ... 480/600VAC would lose less than 2% 
on #12 gauge.  It looks like I'll probably go with something along 
the line you detail, though ... transformers in the range I'd like 
just aren't all that common anymore.  This has turned into something 
of a mad scientist project out here .... I calculated the return on 
investment recently and I don't think my kids will olive to see 
one!  But, it's my hobby-turned-business, so it doesn't matter...

Frankly, the best ROI on any of this technology I've put in so far by 
FAR is the solar thermal ... and that "free" tank of 150 F water 
every day makes for much longer and more enjoyable showers!  I don't 
understand why every home in the country doesn't have solar hot 
water. It's so easy....

B



At 07:29 AM 10/25/2007, you wrote:
>not to rain on your idea here, but is it really worth the effort and 
>cost of the
>transformers vs the cost of larger wire ?
>
>I make the current to be 8.33 amps per leg
>
>using 10 amps for ease of figuring, and a conservative 2% voltage 
>drop max, then # 1 wire
>would work as it has 0.1239  ohms per 1000 ft
>
>if you can live with 4 % drop, then # 6 would work out
>
>since you are using six phases, you might want to consider using a 
>pair of service
>entrance 'triplex' cables (as used for 3-phase POCO pole-to-meter) 
>for this, any
>electrical supply house can give you a price on this (and probably 
>cut you a deal if you
>buy two 1000-ft rolls at once)