John,
US3 (Spartanburg) is still very pleased with the Case Controls. I do not have history on energy savings. Our consumption has steadily gone up over the last few years with equipment modifications, higher production, less attention to leaks, etc… I can say that we are presently using about 3.5 of 4 compressors which means they run at MMA a lot of the time. Prior to Case all of our compressors had a MMA set point of 53 amps. But with Case I have seen MMA as low as 47 to 48 amps (according to the condition of the machine) in the cooler months. So it would be safe to say that for at least 6 months out of 12 we save 5 amps at 4160 vac 3 phase on the 3 Case Controlled machines. –> 3 mach x 5 amps x 4160 vac x 1.73 = 108 kw, –>108 kw x 24 hr x $.05/kwh x 30 days = $3,888 / month.
Of course this is a best “case” scenario (no pun intended) when your combined machine capacity vs. load allows the machines to run at MMA 7/24/all month. Another thing I have found to be very helpful and educational is the tech. support that Devin provides. Don’t get me wrong, Jason is coming along but Devin has actually helped me diagnose “intermittent” mechanical problems on my machines which had nothing to do with the Case Controller – just good old A/C experience. I must also commend you guys for the way you charge tech support time against my Air Support Account. I purchased 30 hours in May 2005. We have re-tuned the setpoints every Spring & Fall, trouble-shot several problems etc… & I still have about 1 hour left on my original account. It is time for me to re-up for 30 more but I have bragged several times on how fair you guys are.
Our biggest problem now is that our shift operators don’t have to touch the Case Controls enough to remember how to work’em. No joke!
Look forward to seeing you in SC & next month in Indiana. –> Don’t tell Devin I was bragging on him, he might get the big-head. – just kidding.
Thanks,
Greg Jolley
NCF Utilities Reliability Coordinator
Michelin Tire, Spartanburg, S.C.
864-599.3365, I