Power cost of running a tumbler?
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CoalCrackerAl
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It would depend on the watts the motor consumes.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
Motor watts used x estimated hours of use x cents per kilowatt hour + pro rated media use amount = cents used to clean brass…
Then triple that…
Then triple that…
CQB45ACP
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AJC1
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Some old timers will say that tumbling isn't required at all. Pretty brass is an expense to a barebones operation that is not needed. Conversely wet tumblers do a better job much faster, but at a higher initial investment for the machine. You could do the same thing in a screw top container and just shake it. Lots of options that require zero electricity
GeoDudeFlorida
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You can wet clean and polish brass in a salad spinner if you really want to.
The cost is amp-hours x voltage. That’s how you get watt-hours, which is how electricity is billed. Get a solar panel charger and a UPS w/ battery pack and skip the whole thing.
.38 Special
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Even when I run the vibratory tumbler a dozen hours a week, the energy consumption gets lost in the noise. Especially in SoCal summer, things like the AC completely steamroll small expenditures like running the tumbler.
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Power consumption pretty low on these units. When you get yours, there will be a label somewhere on the motor cover stating voltage and amperage. Multiply volts (120v) times amps (probably 1-2 amps) for wattage used (at 100% power factor...don't ask more about that...another whole conversation, motors are around 80%). Then convert to kilowatt/hours times your billing rate. No idea of California but heard it's high.
So example is 120volts x 2amps = 240watts. Divide by 1000 per hour and the example uses 0.240 kilowatts per hour (kWhR). Example at $0.15 per kilowatt hour then 0.240 kWhR x $0.15 = $0.036 each hour this runs, or 3.6 cents. Plug in your amp and bill rate for your cost.
So example is 120volts x 2amps = 240watts. Divide by 1000 per hour and the example uses 0.240 kilowatts per hour (kWhR). Example at $0.15 per kilowatt hour then 0.240 kWhR x $0.15 = $0.036 each hour this runs, or 3.6 cents. Plug in your amp and bill rate for your cost.
doubleh
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You will barely notice it if at all unless you are running it 24/7 all month long. Even then it won't be very much.
Tallinar
Member
I don't have a scientific answer (@mkmoy's answer above looks to cover that), but I think the answer is, "it's pretty insignificant."
I applaud your efforts to count the cost as you get into this. While you're counting, and since your main goal for getting into reloading is cost savings, I would strongly encourage you to calculate what you would figure to be the "break even" point where the savings you've realized by rolling your own has paid off your initial cost of investment in equipment. It will likely be many thousands of rounds. Once you have that number figured, make sure to count the cost realistically to make sure you are still interested in the time investment to reach that number of reloads.
It's common to get into reloading to with the thought of saving money, but to stick with it you'll have to actually enjoy the journey, otherwise you'll actually lose money in the end.
It's kinda like cloth diapers...
I applaud your efforts to count the cost as you get into this. While you're counting, and since your main goal for getting into reloading is cost savings, I would strongly encourage you to calculate what you would figure to be the "break even" point where the savings you've realized by rolling your own has paid off your initial cost of investment in equipment. It will likely be many thousands of rounds. Once you have that number figured, make sure to count the cost realistically to make sure you are still interested in the time investment to reach that number of reloads.
It's common to get into reloading to with the thought of saving money, but to stick with it you'll have to actually enjoy the journey, otherwise you'll actually lose money in the end.
It's kinda like cloth diapers...
.308 Norma
Member
Seeing as how I’m a long-time retired electrician and electrical technology instructor, it’s been a while since I’ve done many calculations on electrical power (watts) usage. So please forgive me if my math is off a little. I don’t think it’s off by much though.
At any rate, the vibratory tumbler you’re looking at is about the same size as mine, and mine pulls between .60 and .65 amps. At 120 volts, that figures out to about the same amount of power usage as a 75-watt, incandescent light bulb (.63 X 120 = 75.6).
So, calculating that on out, I can run my vibratory tumbler for a little over 13 hours for the cost of 1 kilowatt hour worth of electricity. I don’t know what you’re paying for electricity there, but it costs us just over 12 cents per kilowatt hour here.
To summarize, I can run my vibratory tumbler for 13 hours (which I never do) for about 12 cents. Please don’t tell Joe my case cleaner uses as much electricity as a 75-watt incandescent light bulb though - he doesn’t need another dumb excuse for trying to ban guns.
At any rate, the vibratory tumbler you’re looking at is about the same size as mine, and mine pulls between .60 and .65 amps. At 120 volts, that figures out to about the same amount of power usage as a 75-watt, incandescent light bulb (.63 X 120 = 75.6).
So, calculating that on out, I can run my vibratory tumbler for a little over 13 hours for the cost of 1 kilowatt hour worth of electricity. I don’t know what you’re paying for electricity there, but it costs us just over 12 cents per kilowatt hour here.
To summarize, I can run my vibratory tumbler for 13 hours (which I never do) for about 12 cents. Please don’t tell Joe my case cleaner uses as much electricity as a 75-watt incandescent light bulb though - he doesn’t need another dumb excuse for trying to ban guns.
First, you don't save money reloading. You just get to shoot more for the same amount of money.
The problem with solar, solar with battery backup that is, is the very long payback period. The least expensive solar solution is without batteries. That means you can only tumble when the sun is out. If you use all everything the solar cell produces every day of the year, you might get a 7 year payback. But if there are other objectives than saving money then there are all sorts of creative things you can do with solar.... for a cost.
The problem with solar, solar with battery backup that is, is the very long payback period. The least expensive solar solution is without batteries. That means you can only tumble when the sun is out. If you use all everything the solar cell produces every day of the year, you might get a 7 year payback. But if there are other objectives than saving money then there are all sorts of creative things you can do with solar.... for a cost.
Slight correction, you measured the use in watts and the billing in Kwh. it needs to be:Motor watts used x estimated hours of use x cents per kilowatt hour + pro rated media use amount = cents used to clean brass…
Then triple that…
Motor watts used x estimated hours of use x (cents per kilowatt hour/1000) + pro rated media use amount = cents used to clean brass
oops, looks like mkmoy beat me to it:
but yes, the cost is extremely small per round.
CQB45ACP
Member
And to drop cost further, late at night, run an extension cord to your neighbor’s outlet.
ballman6711
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GeoDudeFlorida
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One of the advantages to working in the tech industry. I have four server-grade UPS’s courtesy of the surplus shop. Paid $0 for each. Use a solar cell to trickle charge a UPS and you can run a tumbler all night anywhere. At least you can until your wife threatens to make you go sleep outside because the clatter is keeping her awake. That kinda ruins the joy of cost savings.
rfwobbly
Member
Any brand or type of case tumbler is going to use a "fractional HP" electric motor, of approximately the same Wattage and cost to operate as your bathroom vent fan. In other words, the smallest cheapest motor in your entire home. Your wife's hair dryer costs more to operate !!
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AJC1
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The induction heat in her hair drier is power hungry. I can't immage a dehydrator to dry cases Is cheap either... I don't know how much power my toaster oven uses to powder coat, but nothing holds a candle to my cabinet saw or arc welder.... I got out of the rotary phase converter game because that eats power like a 454 eats gas....
45/30-06OKIE
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Not gonna lie, I'm skipped tumbling brass that's been shot out of my bolt guns before... Now out of my 1911 or semi auto rifles? Forget about it. Tumbling is a must.
AJC1
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If your running a wet AR those cases are gross. My lever guns, revolver, and bolt guns are clean really. The only thing that even touches the ground is 45acp. If you don't have to chase it, you probably aren't forced to clean it either....
45/30-06OKIE
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Yes I run my ARs decently lubed up so they tend to get a bit more gunk in them lol. Also my M1 throws brass off to the 1ish o'clock position so they always get sand and grass on them. And that's with an adjustable gas plug...
AJC1
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Dad ran away with my mini 14 before I ever shot it. Only semi auto center fire I own, rumor is they are quite good at chucking them...
GeoDudeFlorida
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My FiL has a surplus Mini 14 I got him from a Sheriff’s Department auction. He has asked me about improving accuracy. A trip back to Ruger for a free rebuild and it’s squad-level accurate. Then he asked about how to fix the ejection dimple. I told him about rounding off the op rod at the handle. Now it’s ejecting ping-free. I figured by the time I inherited it it’ll be darn near perfect!
