Rockwell 14" bandsaw 115 or 230 voltage

When it’s wired for 220,I think the amperage is split onto 2 110 legs so it won’t tax the breakers so much. The plate of the motor should have amp ratings for 110 and 220 (115-230). The 220 is usually half of the 110.

“http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:O3bAFi8iAd0J:sawdustmaking.com/ELECTRIC%2520MOTORS/electricmotors.html+1+hp+motor+ratings+amperage&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us”

-- Michael Murphy, Woodland, CA.

Probably more flexability in where you can position it in your shop at 110. Not sure there would be any real benefit of running at 220.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

220 will be less expensive to operate. If you do use a longer cord, make sure it is heavy duty and rated for the amperage and voltage you are using.

-- Rick, Pa. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

The bandsaw would start up faster if it’s on 220, but probably no more than seconds. Note that if you wire it to 220v you can afford to use a lighter gauge extension cord, or a longer cord, compared to 115v. And it’s possible that serious resawing your motor will draw more amps (cast iron wheels are better though) and pop a 115v 15amp breaker. Worse if you run a DC on the same circuit while you’re sawing

-- Ed

If its more convenient to run it at 120 v, then I would say do that. With 240v the motor will start easier as stated before but it won’t be cheaper to run it, because watts(hp) stay the same regardless of the voltage.

Cosmo, I like mine on 220, dont know jack about amps ,volts, or jigamathings, but it cuts better on 220. try yours both ways, that 7inch maple will let you know real fast which one works better

If you go the 110 route make sure you change out the existing receptacle with a 20 amp rated receptacle. Most of the receptacles sold today are rated at 15 amps. This small detail does make a difference.

However, 220 volts would be best if you can swing it.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

1 hp is a full load for a 120 v 20 amp circuit. Your 20 amp breaker may trip starting it.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

1 HP = 746 watts. Figure 60% efficiency for an induction motor. So it takes roughly 1250 watts to produce the max 1hp power. Watts=Volts*Amps. So, figuring for some voltage drop in the line, we get 1250/110 = 11.4 amps at 110v and 5.7 amps at 220v. Even at 11.4, you are still well within the safe range of your average household 15amp breakers.

Where 240v becomes more important is in motors in the 1.75+ HP (20amp) range. At that point, you are not getting full power to your motor because you cannot supply it with enough current.

You are billed for power by the watt (actually kilowatt/hour). The voltage doesn’t matter.

-- Lee in Phoenix

I wish you guys would forget you ever heard 746 watts = 1 hp. It is nearly twice that for single phase motors. 1 hp motor nameplate will be close to 16 amps on 120 volts and 8 amps on 240 volts. Code requirements for 1 hp motor are #12 wire and 30 amp breaker for 120 vlts and #14 wire and 15 amp breaker for 240 volts.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence