How much power is sufficient for the controller/1f stepper motors?

I guess the question is, can I run the controller on the same circuit that’s running dust collection (2hp 20amp harbor freight), or perhaps on the same circuit that runs the 14amp tablesaw 1.75 HP (or other generally 15 amp tools used 1 at a time). I’m leaning toward Tablesaw Circuit. I would also have the water pump on it as well.

So I went with the 110v 2.2kw spindle, HuangYang combo. Almost having buyers remorse, havent received it yet, but I know it’s just barely gonna work on a dedicated 110v 20a circuit that I will be installing. I had initially planned to run this circuit for the controller & spindle, but pretty sure that’s gonna be a bad idea.

Breaker box is old, and I simply cannot add 240s, I’m getting near maxed out.

I do however, already have 2x 20a circuits in my garage. 1 dedicated to the dust collector, which requires the 20Amps. And another that runs my tablesaw + any chorded tools and a compressor (all usually running by themselves on the circuit).

So I was considering either adding the controller to the Dust collector circuit, or the tablesaw circuit. It’s very likely I’ll be using the tablesaw & dust collector at the same time as the CNC.

I do plan to upgrade my service in the future. We are talking 5k, so it’s probably gonna happen in in early 2023 or maybe late 2022, paying off some debt now, that’s really gonna be my next big expense.

I’m no expert on this but I think you are looking at problems. Assume 3.5Amps for the controller/CNC. But it won’t like the noisy lines caused by the motors on your circuit. You may want to put a good UPS in between to try and clean up the signal and help with brownouts.

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Yea that’s my fear… I actually remembered, I do have another 2 circuits, but they would require an extension chord. 1 circuit runs the ONT for FiOS internet & washing machine, and the other is a 15a circuit that actually has limited use, it’s mostly outlets around the kitchen that don’t really get used much/if at all. It’s just gonna have to be on a extension cord.

Edit: a UPS might be the way though, I could add LEDs (which imma add some inside the enclosure.)

The question of how much current does a spindle actually draw during use vs the nameplate rating come up a lot on the forums. I have tested my 220v 2.2kw spindle with a CT style amp probe and my Pico scope over a few hours and never logged more than 3.6 amps and that was during the initial power on stall current and spin up of the spindle. So at 120v you double that to 7.2A should be a good estimate of what it will actually use. I realize 2200/120 = 18.3A (ignoring power factor and loss) so that is the theoretical max draw but it’s unlikely you will realize that. You can get a CT style amp meter for fairly cheap that will allow you to measure actual current usage.

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Wow, only 3.6a? Holy cow. I was expecting to get a continuous like 14/15/16 draw when carving, then if I hit a knot spikes atleast with hard woods. Figured the softwoods wouldn’t be an issue. That’s pretty promising. What’s the start up draw?

Thanks for this, I have read many people say that the 2.2 110 was essentially unusable in theory, everyone recommending the 220, or the 1.5 if 110 was. Mandatory. But very few ppl who actually used the 110 2.2 state 1 way or the other.

I guess I’ll pick up a amp meter and test it out. If the results are similar to yours, pump, controller, & spindle on a single circuit will work.

The VFD will have a spindle acceleration time which was P014 on mine, I have it set to 5 seconds, I would imagine if you decreased that to 1 second it would result in a higher current draw but I have not tested it.

I get the maximum theoretical load calculation of 2200w / 120v = 18.3 A idea and that is the safest way to estimate what is required. 2.2kw is loosely equivalent to a 3HP motor, how many other power tools do you have with a 3HP nameplate that are 110v? Air compressor, router, table saw… they’re all fine on a 110v 15A circuit.

Always run the controller and screen on one circuit and the router/spindle/vac on a separate circuit.

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The real question is I guess, is, which would be the best option. Placing the controller on the main shop circuit with other power tools that get single use, tablesaw/router/sander/compressor. The dedicated circuit for the dust collector. The dedicated circuit for the VFD and Spindle. Or an extension chord that runs to a circuit that is primarily indoors and unused likely 15a (pretty sure, can’t remember off hand.)

I’m leaning toward extension chord. Atleast until I upgrade my service panel. That or a UPS that runs off of any of the circuits (preferably the one that has the least amount of amperage draw).

(Side note, I don’t use a screen. It’s wired to my network via lan. So I use my phone for immidiate functionality in shop & desktop in the other room to upload files).