TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
I've been kicking the idea around about how to install or come up with some CHEAP way to put a watts meter on my welder so I can see what my actual cost of use is. I'm open to ideas.
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Cheap watts meter for a welder
- Thread starter TheEquineFencer
- Start date
Highbeam
Well-known member
I've been kicking the idea around about how to install or come up with some CHEAP way to put a watts meter on my welder so I can see what my actual cost of use is. I'm open to ideas.
Couple ways. The best is to install a "home energy monitor" like those from efergy for 100$ that clamp around the power leads. This monitors instant wattage consumption and total.
The second is to use a clamp on meter to determine power instantaneous consumption and then estimate how much time you are actually welding.
To add to the last one, there are run time meters.
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
A while back I was looking for something like this and came up empty. I just found the answer to my own question. I just wonder if it will go haywire from the RF from the welder or plasma cutter.
http://www.powermeterstore.com/p8527/efergy_elite.php
It looks like it would work. I could either wire it insdie the welder, but I'd probably put it on the circuit for the welder at the panel.
I guiess it'd work like a meter at the gas station!
Thanks, great minds think a like!
http://www.powermeterstore.com/p8527/efergy_elite.php
It looks like it would work. I could either wire it insdie the welder, but I'd probably put it on the circuit for the welder at the panel.
I guiess it'd work like a meter at the gas station!
Thanks, great minds think a like!
The manual for the welder might say how many kW it uses at the rated load.
For example, a Hobart 187:
Rated Output at 30% Duty Cycle 130 A at 21.5 VDC
Amps Input at Rated Load, 60 Hz 230 V 20.5 A
kW 3.88
dont know what price you pay per kwh, around here its about $.07
so if you ran it an hour straight, thats 3.88*.07 = 27 cents
For example, a Hobart 187:
Rated Output at 30% Duty Cycle 130 A at 21.5 VDC
Amps Input at Rated Load, 60 Hz 230 V 20.5 A
kW 3.88
dont know what price you pay per kwh, around here its about $.07
so if you ran it an hour straight, thats 3.88*.07 = 27 cents
The lights in your shop are probably using more electricity.
Highbeam
Well-known member
I ordered the efergy E2 last week and its on the way to my home right now. I plan to monitor my whole house but may spend some time with it logging just the hot tub circuit.
pentavolvo
Well-known member
Cheap clamp on amp meter and do the math from current draw?
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
I ordered the efergy E2 last week and its on the way to my home right now. I plan to monitor my whole house but may spend some time with it logging just the hot tub circuit.
I do a LOT of welding. Sometimes I actually get paid for it. I'm curious what it cost to run it. I'm welding on a 3210 Bush Hog now. replacing the OEM frame that rusted into. 1/4 metal, running the welder for 15 -20 at the time. It's an ESAB MigMaster 250.
When you it get, please let me know how you like it and the ease of use.
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Cheap clamp on amp meter and do the math from current draw?
LOL, kinda hard to weld and hold an AMP clamp.
LOL, kinda hard to weld and hold an AMP clamp.
Not really,hang the meter, pull the trigger and look at the screen.
BD1
Well-known member
This reminds me of the guy that goes to buy a new caddy and ask how's the gas mileage . If you gotta ask then you can't afford it.
So, if it seems expensive to run are you gonna quit ? If you have a electric stove you better stop cooking too. Not to mention if you have electric heat.
Sometimes it's better not to know.
So, if it seems expensive to run are you gonna quit ? If you have a electric stove you better stop cooking too. Not to mention if you have electric heat.
Sometimes it's better not to know.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
This reminds me of the guy that goes to buy a new caddy and ask how's the gas mileage . If you gotta ask then you can't afford it.
So, if it seems expensive to run are you gonna quit ? If you have a electric stove you better stop cooking too. Not to mention if you have electric heat.
Sometimes it's better not to know.
Except that if its a business, then it would be a great idea to know how much electricity it takes to weld a given project so that u can figure in the overhead costs(electricity) into the amount to charge the customer!
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Except that if its a business, then it would be a great idea to know how much electricity it takes to weld a given project so that u can figure in the overhead costs(electricity) into the amount to charge the customer!
Bingo!
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I do electrical, welding, fabricating, AND plumbing at work and have to keep track off ALL my time including welding so the accountant knows how much to bill the customer for, so thats why I understand this! Our shop has 480v service(the welders run on 480v), which aint cheap, so we bill for that electricity!
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
I remember an old freind once told me something along the lines, "when Productivity is measured, usually productivity is increased, when cost are measured, usually cost are decreased." I've started taking a really close look at what things cost to operate. I've installed motion sensors on my shop lights and have been amazed at the cost reduction. I went from more cost effeicent MH lights to T-8 lamps, they cost more to operate. I increased the light output with more lighting, but reduced the cost with the sensors. I had to replace the lighting when the tornado came through. The MH lights were given to me, the T-8s I had to buy. I could not afford the replacement MH, $400 per fixture, Versus $50 per T-8. 20,000 lumens per MH about 8-10,000 Lumens per T-8. With the T-8 I have no shadows. By tracking my welding cost, I may find I've been overcharging for the welding. You may think I'll loose money by charging less, but I may gain more work and make it up in the volume. Then again, I may not be charging enough. Either way I win.
BD1
Well-known member
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
That's a good article, it gives you something to think about.
Highbeam
Well-known member
I ordered the efergy E2 last week and its on the way to my home right now. I plan to monitor my whole house but may spend some time with it logging just the hot tub circuit.
I received the monitor and installed it on my main feed last night. Very easy to install, easy to move between circuits too. The only drawback I can see which may or may not bother you is that it samples current flow at 10 second intervals only so the first 9 seconds of welding is missed but then again, the 9 seconds after you stop might get counted. For production welding it might not matter but I stick weld and there are lots of starts and stops.
So far the monitor is great.
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
So it takes a "sample" every 10 seconds and calulates from that? So I guess it doesn't really data log like I thought it would?
Teken
Well-known member
Is this way more than you're asking about. But, it could provide you more information for your entire home and the added benefit is that it can monitor your welding projects.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162749
Teken . . .
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162749
Teken . . .
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
I just talked to the Co-Op we get power from; $0.122 per Kw/Hr.
OP
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Is this way more than you're asking about. But, it could provide you more information for your entire home and the added benefit is that it can monitor your welding projects.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162749
Teken . . .
Yep, that would be nice in my shop, but yes, it's a bit overkill for now.