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Post by hermatitee on Oct 17, 2003 8:59:03 GMT -5
I am preparing to start my first batch on a homemade tumbler my husband built for me. He was going to put a fuse on it, but didn't get around to it. My question is, how important, in your opinions in a fuse anyway? Can I just go ahead and set the tumbler going in the garage? Or should I wait for him to add a fuse. I'm realllllly wanting to get started, but on the other hand, burning down the garage would not be a good thing. Any advice would be appreciated.
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Oct 17, 2003 9:52:33 GMT -5
Hmmm, a loaded question. This is a con-fuse-ing issue. I don't think anyone in their right mind will tell you do to go ahead and run the tumbler, just because they would feel responsible when it turned your garage into a pile of smoldering embers, or worse yet someone getting injured . But if it was me, I'd probably have it running with a pack of hot dogs and some marsh mellows and sticks on stand-by. I'll tell you this, none of my factory tumblers have in-line fuses. At my place, and most others, you have a breaker box that feeds all the electric outlets, lights and all other electric appliances. Each line or group of lines has a seperate circuit breaker or fuse rated at a given amperage (10A, 15A, 20A, ect.) If anything on a given line pulls too much current for any reason, it is designed to trip that circuit breaker or blow the fuse killing the power to that item. This would prevent any overheating or damage caused by a fault or overload on that circuit. But, not knowing the set up you have as far as breaker box and breakers, wiring or the home made tumbler details, I couldn't and wouldn't say whether or not it would be safe to run it, sorry. I'm sure your husband has a good reason he wants to place the in-line fuse on the tumbler. Maybe just to be double safe which is never a bad thing. Either way, it may be best to wait until he is happy with the set-up before trying it. Good luck Hematite, although I didn't give you the answer you were probably looking for. If you do decide to run it, I like my marsh mellows lightly browned...not burnt! ;D Have a good day, Don
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Post by hermatitee on Oct 17, 2003 10:12:19 GMT -5
LOL...yeah...drat...in my heart I know you're right but darn it! If you think it's hard to wait for the second cycle to complete, try waiting with a loaded barrel and no way to turn it! I'm actually considering duct-taping it to the wheel of my car until the tumbler fuse is installed. (okay...kidding). Thanks for the sensible advic though...guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Oct 17, 2003 16:00:47 GMT -5
You have to ask yourself one question: Is your husband a skilled handyman? If he has a history of ruining household appliances, if you've got the fire dep't on speed dial, if he's missing fingers, well, these are all clues. Personally, Sir Roxalot would fire the thing up, fuses be damned. (But he would do it on a cement garage floor, preferably the neighbors, with nothing flammable too close.)
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Post by hermatite on Oct 17, 2003 16:10:07 GMT -5
okay, also a good point. I must say I don't doubt that it's a fine tumbler - the rollers come from an old computer printer we had laying around and the motor...well...suffice to say we have a lot of stuff "laying around" He's got all his digits and is amazingly mechanically gifted. But, I'm daunted by the thought of causing a fire (and rightfuly so I suppose). Patience seems to be the keyword with this hobby. I might as well learn it early I guess!
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Post by docone31 on Oct 18, 2003 19:02:05 GMT -5
I use loretone tumblers. They all have inline fuses, low amperage. I came home and the tumbler had stalled, and the fuse was not blown. Your outlet will have a circuit cut off, either breaker or fuse, and it will handle extreme shorts. Two ways you can learn, one is out of the pocket, one is out of the book. I will bet, however if he built the tumbler, he had some idea. I did, however modify my wife's dishwasher, irony, I wash the dishes and vaccum, and make the bed, etc., and I did some damage running it. I rewired the motor, and increased the water drive speed on the rotors. A lot of water and less dishes to wash. KInda worked out. Do not need more storage space. Try it under controlled circumstances. Might work better than what you are afraid of, or it might show right away.
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Oct 18, 2003 19:50:37 GMT -5
all tumbler manufactures use off the shelf motors, none make their own. Most motors are internally protected from over heating, if it is one of the old "turn table" motors it will not draw any more current or run any hotter if it is stalled or free running. Can you post a pic of this tumbler..perhaps I could get a look at the motor and give some more advise. If it were me I would just start it one morning and let it run say outside in the driveway for a few hours and see how it does..it will get as hot as it is going to in a few hours.
Best of luck Dwight P
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Post by hermatite on Oct 20, 2003 8:51:41 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice. The tumbler has a fuse and is ready to go! Tonight I flip the switch and start my first load...mixed rocks I bought in a group from the Rock Shed, a mixture of rose quartz, green aventurine, lace agate, white quartz, jasper, pudding stone, petrified wood, turretilla agate and prairie agate. I'm wicked excited.
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Oct 20, 2003 10:09:39 GMT -5
The Rock Shed is a great place to buy your "stuff" from..I get most everything there..that are fast and always email you. The only drawback you are about to find to this hobby...................waiting for each cycle to finish.....its agony
Best of luck and welcome Dwigth P
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