Tool cycle time

[chopnhack]

I was running my dust collector (delta 50-720) for about an hour this morning while milling up some wood for a shop project and noticed that the motor housing was kinda hot. I called Delta and they told me that the 50-720 DC is recommended at a 50% duty time. I asked for further clarification and the customer service rep put me on hold while he spoke with a senior engineer. Apparently their recommendation is to run the machine no longer than 1/2 hour with a 1/2 hour break Ain't that some bull$ I thought that was too short of a time while working on projects. Anyone else concerned about their tools "duty cycle"?

[cabinetman]

I'll bet some manufacturers have recommended "duty cycles", and for the life of the tool, it may pay to adhere to the suggestions. But, I've never been worried about that. I've never "fried" a DC. I've run them for hours on end when going from one machine to another. Sure, they get hot. I try to keep motors clean, which probably helps a lot. I can't see stopping work to wait for something to cool.
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[Mr__Bill]

For me the thermal overload switch (or whatever it's called) usually dictates the duty cycle.

I did in the past burned up several hammer drills before the dealer told me I had gotten the last replacement, then found out the duty cycle was 10 0/0. After that when needed I rented a heavy duty one.

Wonder what it is for the BT3000?

Bill
over here where it's still morning

[leehljp]

For me the thermal overload switch (or whatever it's called) usually dictates the duty cycle.

I did in the past burned up several hammer drills before the dealer told me I had gotten the last replacement, then found out the duty cycle was 10 0/0. After that when needed I rented a heavy duty one.

Wonder what it is for the BT3000?

Bill
over here where it's still morning

There used to be a fellow or two on here a few years ago that was using the BT3000 as a professional saw - and after a couple of years and a couple of machines, decided it wasn't up to snuff for 8 hour days, 5 days a week of cutting 1" and 2" and 3" stuff. Blamed the BT for its lack of umph and endurance!

Shucks, I am not a professional, but I have enough sense to know that the BT will not stand up under that kind of load. But it does VERY well and with precision for one who will take the time and treat it like a fine tool. Those folks were trying to cheat their pocketbooks and when it didn't work, blamed the tool!

Now David (I think that is his name) in Aussie land used the BT and did some BEAUTIFUL custom work.

[cabinetman]

l!

Now David (I think that is his name) in Aussie land used the BT and did some BEAUTIFUL custom work.

That might have been Dave-In-Cairns.
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[LCHIEN]

that's interesting.
Maybe we can fudge and say 8 hours on and 16 hours off = only 33% duty cycle.
of course that would be 8 hours without a break.

seriously, is it still heating up after an 1/2 hour or is it at equilibrium by then?

ITs also hard to compare to a power tool, because, for DCs the motors are operating near 100% load whenever the blower is on. But for power tools like a BT3000 or even a Unisaw, the power level and hence internal heat, is a function of load. cross-Cutting thin stock might just load a few amps every few seconds whereas ripping a 10' 4x4 might run 15 A for a minute.

Overloading a saw past its capability really makes the heat take off.

As a matter of course, I'd not use the BT3 for endlessly ripping 2x4's. I'd do some, do something else, then do a few more, then do something else. I don't think it's meant to be a heavy-duty workhorse.

One final note about the DC... a lot depends on the temperature of the room. A motor operating at the same workload will hit a temperature 40 degrees higher if operated at a room temperature of 100 degrees vs. being operated at 60 degrees room temperature.

[Sawatzky]

I have that very same dust collector and I notice it gets hot when it runs for a while. Mine is usually in the sun while running too when my garage door is open. I just figured motors get hot when running. I probably never run it for more that 10 minutes at time though, because it is only hooked up to my table saw, and I turn it off when I am not using the TS.

[Tom Slick]

Unless the motor is so hot you can't hold your hand on it you don't need to worry about its temperature.