Stop Me And Solve One!

[Mr Fuxit]

Gents, 
I have the job of converting a mobile ice-cream machine in a van ; (my daughter's), the machine presently being driven by the van's engine, to also be able to run instead on 230v AC when in sensitive or confined places (such as at Food Fairs, Farmers' Markets etc.) 
The job is pretty straightforward; I know the required speed, there is adequate space for the motor, I only need to add a Fenner Taper-Lock pulley to the original drive shaft and a belt to the motor and any necessary switch gear. 
The only thing I need to know is the motor power required. The van engine (an old Perkins) 
runs at idle and, with its universal governor, just sags a bit when the ice-cream machine clutch is engaged. 
Is there anyone in this great pool of knowledge that can help, please? Perhaps you have owned an electric ice-cream machine, or repaired one, or know someone who owns one who would let you look at the motor plate. I would be immensely grateful for any information; she put her redundancy money into this and I want her to be able to earn a living from it. 
TIA!

 

[Sidewinder]

Can you give us the power requirements of the ice cream machine as they do vary.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[revjames]

Our local ice cream man was found dead in his van, covered in humdreds and thousands .... cops think he topped himself...... sorry, welcome to the forum

 

[binky]

lol, not heard that one for years.

 

[apprentice87]

Not much power i suspect. Say when the van is running, if you switch on the headlights and operate the brake lights, does the engine "sag" by a similar amount or less, or more???

john..

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Dont answer unless free ice creams all round are offered  :innocent

 

[Mr Fuxit]

Can you give us the power requirements of the ice cream machine as they do vary.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Well, that's the problem, Sidewinder; at the moment the machine is driven by a diesel engine. The only electric involved is 12v DC

which operates the clutch between the machine and the engine.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[Mr Fuxit]

Not much power i suspect. Say when the van is running, if you switch on the headlights and operate the brake lights, does the engine "sag" by a similar amount or less, or more???

john..

I've never noticed, but I'll check as soon as I can. I can measure the speed decrease when the machine is switched in. If I established the output of the alternator, disconnected the battery, and connected a load equal to the alternator output, then could I use the Wattage of the load in any way to calculate something oh my brain's hurting.

 

[Sidewinder]

Is there nothing that gives you the shaft power requirements of the machine?

It should have a rating plate of some kind on it.

What belts are being used to drive it?

What engine is in the van?

Make, cc & version.

What speed does the engine run at when it is driving the ice cream machine?

 

[Marvo]

What's the make and model number of the compressor? Also what's your intended rotation speed of the compressor?

 

[Mr Fuxit]

@ Apprentice87

Hi, I checked the "lights on' effect today, and there was no discernible effect; using an optical digital tacho the reading stayed within the internal error. 

@ Sidewinder

HI, there is no Rating plate on the Machine because there has never been an Electrical component of the machine. These ice-cream van conversions

are built from parts from various suppliers; the freezer pump from one, the clutches from another, the dispensing head (the bit the ice-cream comes out of)

from another. The engine drive-shaft is built and fitted by the van converters.

The engine runs at idle when it's driving the machine, but, being as it has a general purpose governor. it automatically compensates for the applied load

by increasing power to maintain the idle speed. I suspect that if my system was connected to, say, a1600 Cortina engine, it would stall immediately.

@canoeboy

We have had a few in for repair/rewind and they are generally American style motors 115/230V High torque and around 2.2-3 kWin a 4 Pole

This is really useful, I've now got a starting point. I'm going have questions on the pros and cons of 110v vs.230v motors.
 
Thanks, gents!
@ Marvo

>What's the make and model number of the compressor? Also what's your intended rotation speed of the compressor?

My intended rotation speed of the compressor is the same as it's run speed when driven by the engine