Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-09-07
AN ELECTRIC MOTOR,
Which Seems to be the Cheapest Min.
ing Power Obtainabie.

Industry, of Denver, Col, and re-
printed free of charge because it may |
be of great benefit to our mine and |
mill owners:
Mining men, at the present time,
are more deeply interested in the ap.
plication of electricity to mining [
purposes than in almost any other
subject. Letter after letter, from all
sections Of the Great West, are be.
ing received by the Industry, asking
for information, and stating both de-
sire and intention to adopt this new
agent, if it is sufficiently advanced
for practical uses. While in Aspen
the editor of this journal visited the
Sprague electric plant in the Veteran
tunnel, witnessed its operation and
also inspected the generating power
plant at the opposite end of the
line, $500 feet distant, and was graf
lied to find everything working
steadily to the satisfaction of those
most deeply interested in its success.
The P-lton wheel is operated by
water from flume only 70 feet above
it. The pipe at the flume is 20 inches
in diameter and the discharge nozzle
is three inches in diameter. This
power is sufficient for many times the
demands at present made upon it.
The volume of water cast against the
wheel is regulated by an ingenious
continuance known as the Woodward
governor, manufactured in Rockford,
III. This keeps the speed of the
dynamo nearly constant, by raising or
lowering the nozzle which supplies
the water to the Pelton wheel, ac-
cording as the strain is given or
Stacked by the engineer in the tunnel
a mile and a quarter away. Its action
being automatic does away with the
necessity of man to turn on or shut
off the water when greater or less
power is required. From the shaft of
the Pelton wheel belt runs to and
drives 5OO-volt Edison dynamo,
which changes into electrical energy
81 per cent. of the power of the
wheel. A portion of this energy is
lost in overcoming the electrical re-
sistance OF the wire connecting the
dynamo to the motor.
The loss in transmission depends
upon the distance, the size Of the wire
aud the current to be carried. In the
present instance the loss in transmits.
) sion is about 10 per cent. The energy
available ior work at the motor pulley
is "a per cent. OF the water taken
from the waterwheel. An electrical
motor rated at lO-H. ?. is capable OF
exerting momen'ary effort of 10 or
~ II. T., as in starting load, with,
out injury to the motor.
The wires used in transmission to
the mine are insulated, but this is not
necessary, as there is little or nc
danger of their crossing or being in
! terfsred with in any manner. From
e the mouth of the tunnel to the motor
, heavy insulation is necessary, and til,
, wires are so we'll protected in this in
stance that no current can be felt b,
D clasping cue or both of them Will
0 the hands. The motor is placed il
r the Veteran tunnel at point 100
feet in, where large and cosy cham
her has been excava,ed for it and th,
y holster.
{ The speed and power Of the moto
,, are controlled by simple switch
e Tie engineer holds in his right han
k the lever which operates the pape
friction and the brake in the usus
> manner, while with his left hand b
J turns the switch so as to get an
q desired speed. This switch ais
e serves to start the motor, to stop
and to reverse its direction OF rotatio
=, if desired. Ability to reverse is e
senta!.
81 This plant has been in use for
81 month, and has given perfect satl
ie faction as regards economy an
9. promptness of operation; hu; It's fu
9. powers have not been tested, as
is used for merely to pull in emp,
" cars or few loaded cars running OF
"a of the tunnel. In a short time it Vi
ne be utilized for hosting in the incli'
Of RAINING from the Veteran tunnel
q the workings of the franklin min
about 200 feet below. A duplica
d. of this plant will shortly be erect,
I'd in another portion of the Veters
.ir tunnel, where station is being C
II. out to receive it,
At present it operates train
from five to nine cars, bringing in Il
Oh empties and regulating the speed
On the outgoing loads. Formerly o.
Ell man was required to each car, ma
ed ing the round tri p II 20sminu'rs, b
now the entire train is sent out al
returned in eight minu'es. Tween
yer cars could be handled as rapidly al
he continuously if necessary.
lie. There is neither danger, disconfc
Of nor delay in the operation of t
: motor. The current of electricity DC