How do I power my Shifta Conveyor Belt
The Shifta conveyor belt is recognised in the industry as being the best equipment to transport rubble, aggregates and soils. Its aluminium structure makes it both lightweight and extremely portable, helping you to maximise efficiency and mitigate downtime in your project.
While the versatility factor of Shifta Conveyor belts is a significant benefit to the demands of your project, it does present multiple options when it comes to asking yourself, “how will I power my conveyor belt?”
If you’re undergoing a small scale project such as a home remodelling, renovation or extension, you’ll likely only need one conveyor belt to remove a small amount of debris.
On the other hand, If you’re managing a large-scale project such as a building demolition or basement excavation, you’ll probably require multiple conveyors to meet the demands of a more complex site.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all conveyor solution. The scale of your project and how your site is set up will determine how you power your conveyor belt(s).
So let’s review how you can get your site up and running.
“I have access to mains power!”
So, you have access to mains power? Great! Each Shifta Conveyor belt is supplied with a power cable that enables you to connect the device to the 110v mains network. Plugging your Shifta conveyor into the mains will power the three-phase two-speed 110v motor all day long.
The engine is equipped with a built in smart convertor that converts single phase to three phase supply. With a running speed of 20-28 metres per minute, that power will allow you to shift between 60 and 90 tonnes per hour, transporting materials up to a maximum incline of 50 degrees (depending on the load).
To connect your conveyor to mains power, you may require multiple earth pin extension leads linking from the power source to the conveyor belt. Be sure to keep these protected from water or rain. For safety, ensure that the power supply is equipped with a differential switch and an earth leak switch.
Once power is supplied to the unit the middle button (stop switch) will be solid red. If your machine is without power after connecting it to the mains, check that the source power supply is running and make sure that the extension leads are connected properly. If the problem persists, your conveyor specialist will provide emergency maintenance support, typically getting you moving within 24 hours after being notified.
“I don’t have access to mains power!”
Being without mains power can feel like a burden on your project. Like not having wifi, there’s very little you can do without it. Unless of course, you have a portable solution. In this case, that means hiring a generator to power your conveyor belt.
When choosing a generator, imagine you’re buying a light bulb. You wouldn’t put a 100-watt bulb in a 60-watt fixture. This could end up overheating the components and damaging the light socket. To avoid damaging your conveyor belt in the same way, apply this logic when choosing a generator.
A generator that is too powerful for your needs can result in excessive costs of installing, fuelling and maintaining. Conversely, a generator that is too weak will result in reduced performance. When selecting a generator be sure to choose one that is compatible with the number of machines you wish to run.
A 2.8kVA generator is powerful enough to power two conveyors, while a 6kVA generator will power 4 conveyors. Adding a fifth conveyor to the daisy-chain will require an 8.1KVA generator. If you’re not sure which conveyor is right for your needs, the Shifta technical department will offer free professional advice.
“I want to power multiple conveyor belts at once.”
If you are managing a large-scale project or your site setup is more complex, it may be necessary to hire multiple conveyors to form a continuous flow to the length that you require. When doing so, always set up the first conveyor and work forwards towards the targeted area of your excavation (the place you wish to remove soil from).
While there is no limit to the number of Shifta Conveyor belts that can be linked together, there is a limit to the number of transformers required to connect the machines. For 110v machines a maximum of 5 conveyors can be linked per 5Kva transformer. As soon as you add a sixth conveyor belt to the daisy-chain, you will require another 5Kva transformer.
Request a Free Site Survey!
Ultimately, to get the most out of your conveyor, it is a good idea to request a free site survey. Your conveyor specialist will be able to offer professional advice on how many conveyor belts you require for your project and the most efficient way to power them. That way you can you get your conveyor belt(s) safely set up and running in no time at all, keeping costs and time down on your project.
