Locomotive electrical output

[zardoz]

Mook-
You ask such interesting questions that to me you seemed like the type of person that was not only interesting, but interested in the world around them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd

When starting a train, you want lots of pulling force. Pulling force is proportional to the current flowing thru the traction motors. If each motor can take 900 Amps and I put them all in parallel, I’d need a main gen that can do 5400 Amps! Meltdown city! If I put them all in series, I only need 900 Amps, but I’d need to do it a6 times the voltage of having them all in parallel

As a traction motor turns, it create “back EMF” or a voltage that opposes the voltage imposed on it. The faster it turns, the higher this back voltage gets. In order to keep the motors taking the same HP, I need to raise the voltage on them higher than the back EMF. Lets say, at 60 mph I need 900 VDC at full throttle. If I arrange my 6 traction motors in parallel, I’d need a generator that can do 6000 Volts. Flashover City! If I arrange them in parallel, I only need 900 volts (but 6 times the current).

Please clarify the bolded section, in parallel, they would need 6000volts, but in parallel, you’d need 900 volts but 6 times the current?

[dekemd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by teddyA

QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd

When starting a train, you want lots of pulling force. Pulling force is proportional to the current flowing thru the traction motors. If each motor can take 900 Amps and I put them all in parallel, I’d need a main gen that can do 5400 Amps! Meltdown city! If I put them all in series, I only need 900 Amps, but I’d need to do it a6 times the voltage of having them all in parallel

As a traction motor turns, it create “back EMF” or a voltage that opposes the voltage imposed on it. The faster it turns, the higher this back voltage gets. In order to keep the motors taking the same HP, I need to raise the voltage on them higher than the back EMF. Lets say, at 60 mph I need 900 VDC at full throttle. If I arrange my 6 traction motors in parallel, I’d need a generator that can do 6000 Volts. Flashover City! If I arrange them in parallel, I only need 900 volts (but 6 times the current).

Please clarify the bolded section, in parallel, they would need 6000volts, but in parallel, you’d need 900 volts but 6 times the current?

It should read "If I arrange my 6 traction morors in SERIES, I’d need a generator that can do 6000 volts… If I arrange them in parallel, I only need 900 volts (but 6 times the current).

Derrick

[Anonymous]

Dekemd, Oltmannd,Zardoz and pfrench68 that gentlmen was a excellent job in explaining a complicated subject. I am very impressed with the talent on this WEB site.
TIM A

[dfandrews]

Info to stump your friends with:
According to a copper industry publication, there is about 88,000 lbs. of copper in a GE 9-44CW.

[Anonymous]

88,000 lbs at $0.50 a pound thats $44,000 dollars!!! We should go in the scrapper business. Buy up all the old engines at about $10,000 a piece, hire some homeless people to tear them apart. (Pay them in booze and provide them with a new refrigerater box) Thats good profit. Not to mention the scrap steel. Sounds better everytime I read it.
TIM A