Milking Parlour Power

Jayk 1

Hi all, shopping around for quotes on milking machines lately as I'm getting into dairying, was wondering what is most lads running the machines on, as in 3phase single phase? I'm putting in a 12unit machine, what size vacuum pump would be appropriate for this size was quoted for a dvp1600 vac pump with 5hp motor, this about right or big for my plant?

Water John

Have you the option of 3 phase at a reasonable cost? Bulk tank will benefit more than the milking parlour.

kevthegaff

I'm upping supply here through the esb, reckon three phase would be too dear. The new variable vacuum pumps are better with 3 phase. Is it true capacitors aren't required with 3 phase (maybe I was dreaming that one)

Jayk 1

single phase here at the moment, would of thought single phase would be grand for 12unit with motors and compressors n pumps? i know 3 phase is more economical, just kinda want to know will single phase run the operation without any probs

bt12

yes no capacitors on three phase motors which means a lot less to go wrong,
if you can get three phase power at a reasonable cost go for it

Jayk 1

why what are the problems with single phase on plants my size?

whelan2

Have my own transformer here,I'm the only one on it, before that the whole village was on the one transformer, was a disaster . Wasnt enough power to start the milking machine as people were having showers or boiling their kettle. Wasnt too expensive either. It's single phase, 3 phase line close by too

kevthegaff

With 3 phase isn't it who has it near you is how cheap it is

Jayk 1

well mine has the transformer going to the house then power out to the yard comes from there, i don't really want to go 3phase if i don't have to, lots of machines bigger than 12unit running on single phase I'm sure

Water John

Need to find out, lower annual running cost V capital cost. You need a chat with a good sparks who has done dairy farms.
Your own hunch, is not a good basis for a decision.

Mooooo

Single phase will do, but long term 3 phase would be the way to go. Ring the esb and they'll give a quote to upgrade. Find out off manufacturers if the single phase supply you have will do. Depending on how long it's in and if power is coming from house to yard the cables circuit board etc may need upgrading anyway.

Water John

You have to consider what draw may be in the dwelling house, as well.
Mainly electric shower and in future EVs. Each of these 8/9 Kw.

Jayk 1

salesman said single phase would be grand but said also if you got a quote for 3phase for less than 5k would be silly not to

whelan2

Mooooo wrote: »

Single phase will do, but long term 3 phase would be the way to go. Ring the esb and they'll give a quote to upgrade. Find out off manufacturers if the single phase supply you have will do. Depending on how long it's in and if power is coming from house to yard the cables circuit board etc may need upgrading anyway.

We used to have the power going from the house to the yard. We put in a new supply. Meter box etc now in drug store. Upgraded all electrical fuseboards too....

bt12

if you ever extend your parlour you will have 2 vac pumps and motors plus
bulk tank which is power hungry, add feeders augers milk pumps etc,
single phase supply will be nearly maxed out if you add anything else towards three phase will handle it no bother. I used to work in this game for few years
seem a lot of motors getting burnt out due to poor supply problems

Jayk 1

but at 12units and bulk tanks and all i should be grand your saying? auto washer has 2 pumps too on my quote, if i was extending i would go 3phase alright

Water John

If it's economically feasible for you, 3 phase will, future proof you.

whelan2

Jayk 1 wrote: »

but at 12units and bulk tanks and all i should be grand your saying? auto washer has 2 pumps too on my quote, if i was extending i would go 3phase alright

Will you have automatic scrapers too? Water heater etc. It all,ads up power wise.

Water John

What is the highest single phase fuse, 100A?

Jayk 1

thats true, water heater will be on night rate, are newer vacuum pumps easier driven?

Jayk 1

think its 100a alright, solar panels on the roof and idea!!

Water John

Plate cooler, a win/win too.

Timmaay

Single phase here, with an 80 amp fuse, house runs off it, 5hp vacuum pump running a 14 unit parlour, 5hp compressor to run the bulk tank, auto scrapers etc. We've almost definitely had all of them running at the same time, alongside a powershower in the house, never had an issue thankfully.

2 other houses on the same transformer also, that was upgraded afew years ago when a storm took out the old one.

K.G.

Any prices ive heard for 3phase lately would knock your socks off,something like 2k a pole plus a bas ic 5k payment.running similar setup to timmay but in trouble with supply at 63 amps.been on to tjem with a good bit and they are slow to sort it

Jayk 1

where would i check to see what amps I'm on?

Wildsurfer

20 unit here on single phase with double motors and vacuum pumps, cluster cleanse motor, tank and scrapers running off it but I had to upgrade to my own 33kva transformer and I have gas for heating water. Although I had an electric heater as well for a while with no problems. Cost about 5K to upgrade but 3 phase was nowhere near me at the time.

Jayk 1

that sounds like a good idea if power was under pressure, bigger transformer, is that the biggest transformer on single phase?

Timmaay

Jayk 1 wrote: »

where would i check to see what amps I'm on?

There is a fuse with 80 amp wrote on it inside in the meter reading box here.

RightTurnClyde

Wildsurfer wrote: »

20 unit here on single phase with double motors and vacuum pumps, cluster cleanse motor, tank and scrapers running off it but I had to upgrade to my own 33kva transformer and I have gas for heating water. Although I had an electric heater as well for a while with no problems. Cost about 5K to upgrade but 3 phase was nowhere near me at the time.

Did the same here last year, transformer upgraded from 14kva to 33kva. Main fuse is 130A instead of 80. I have the transformer dedicated to the farm yard and it's 70 meters from the parlour.
The 14 kva transformer was just about able to run 2 vac pumps, 1 compressor, 3 scrapers, lights and well pump. The upgrade lets me run the second compressor aswell.

Mooooo

Jayk 1 wrote: »

that sounds like a good idea if power was under pressure, bigger transformer, is that the biggest transformer on single phase?

That was 1k of a difference in getting 3 phase and upgrading the single phase here so I went with 3 phase. They'll give you a quote on both anyway. If the 3 phase line is a good bit away that's when the cost rises

Water John

130A fuse is good. That would be different.
As Mooo says, price the options.

Jayk 1

Just checked here at home, 63a trip switch n fuse going to milking parlour, be no hassle to get sparky to put higher rating trip n fuse in?

kowtow

Jayk 1 wrote: »

Just checked here at home, 63a trip switch n fuse going to milking parlour, be no hassle to get sparky to put higher rating trip n fuse in?

I think you need a bigger supply ... i.e. it's the main fuse that needs to be uprated by ESB not just the main breaker?

kowtow

Mooooo wrote: »

That was 1k of a difference in getting 3 phase and upgrading the single phase here so I went with 3 phase. They'll give you a quote on both anyway. If the 3 phase line is a good bit away that's when the cost rises

Is it possible to easily identify a three phase line?

Have a (10K?) double line here running through the farm and across the valley but only two wires on it as far as I can see. Do they take 3 phase off those or do they need one with three wires?

Gawddawggonnit

kowtow wrote: »

Is it possible to easily identify a three phase line?

Have a (10K?) double line here running through the farm and across the valley but only two wires on it as far as I can see. Do they take 3 phase off those or do they need one with three wires?

Afaik three phase needs the 3 lines.

In much the same bind here...I've 135kva three phase supply but need 160 to 180kva. Could be costly as transformers etc need changing they tell me.

Jayk 1

You think I need a bigger supply onto the property? Bigger than 80a? I thought if I had 80 coming to the house then I could get a bigger trip switch than goin to the milking from 63a to 80a? That not work?

Water John

The main fuse on the customer side has to be less than the ESB side.
Otherwise if you blow their fuse, they have a call out and questions as to why you exceeded supply.
The fuse on your side must be the one to fail if you have a problem.

kevthegaff

Want the one meter for both farm and house as standing charge adds up, 8 k for house and 10 for the far . Anyone hazard a guess, bigger transformer at pole and 35 metres to milking parlour for cable?

pms7

whelan2 wrote: »

Have my own transformer here,I'm the only one on it, before that the whole village was on the one transformer, was a disaster . Wasnt enough power to start the milking machine as people were having showers or boiling their kettle. Wasnt too expensive either. It's single phase, 3 phase line close by too

How much did the transformer you cost roughly?
Thanks

whelan2

pms7 wrote: »

How much did the transformer you cost roughly?
Thanks

Not alot as far as I remember.