Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | Jan 06, 2004 05:45pm | #1

   Do you have low voltage?  If not, I'd get rid of the contraption.  Run an outlet cord dicectly to the motor.  A 10 amp slow trip breaker at the breaker box would ease any concerns of motor overload.

   If your like me and don't have the drill press running for more than 5 minutes at a time, then some low voltage won't damage the motor.  It will rob you of some power and speed.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   ETG | Jan 06, 2004 05:57pm | #2

   This is really not a contraption - it is standard equipment on many woodworking machines today.  This is a Rockwell "LVC" control that was installed on all machines going into school shops.  Among its features are motor overload protection, low volatge at the on/off switch for the user and it keeps the machines from powering up when electricity is lost - many machines just come back on when the power comes back up - this device prevents that.  My 8 year old Unisaw has one, except it is a newer, more compact version.  The drill press control works fine - I'm just not used to the tranformer humming and wonder if it is unusual.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Jan 06, 2004 08:48pm | #7

   Ok.  I've had 3 different drill presses and never saw the need for one, at least on a low power drill press.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

2. 
   ETG | Jan 06, 2004 06:12pm | #3

   I just talked to my Delta industrial supplier and he siad it is prefectly normal for the low volatge control to hum.  Si I guess i don't have a problem!

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 06, 2004 06:20pm | #4

   Many transformers develop a hum as they get older, the laminations in their core loosen up and vibrate causing the hum.

   If it really bugged you, and you wanted to save a little bit of electricity, you could install a toggle switch somewhere in the side of the box to cut power to the transformer when you weren't using the machine.

   John W.

3. 
   EdwardW4 | Jan 06, 2004 06:22pm | #5

   It is not uncommon for transformers to hum. Transformer hum is more common with older units. It is normal to switch at the voltage that controls the relay, in this case the low voltage. This is not usually a problem, it consumes very little power producing the hum, and in a usual industrial setting, would not be heard. If this is a problem for you, you can either replace the transformer or add a swtich in the line before the transformer.

1. 
   ETG | Jan 06, 2004 06:55pm | #6

   John and Ed - Thanks for the update.  My Delta rep said the same thing - I could replace the transformer - but all transformers have some hum to them.  Or I could put a switch prior to the transfomer or i could just eliminate the low voltage control althogehter.  I think I will stay with what I have.  Thanks for the input!