Most all spray equipment requires electricity and compressed air to operate. The electricity provides the power for the machine’s console electronics such as temperature controllers, and on / off switches to perform. The major purpose for the electricity in a mobile spray foam rig is to operate the high efficiency primary heaters and the low/medium voltage hose heat system which acts as a secondary heating source. Electricity also powers the electric pumps that run the hydraulic or electric motors that operate proportioning / metering pump system. This is the pump system that moves and delivers the material through the machine and out to the gun.
Compressed air is required for many components in and around the spray foam equipment operation. Some foam machines use a pneumatically driven motor to operate the proportioning pump. These machines typically require a much larger air compressor with much higher air volume (CFM) ratings. If the machine pump drive system is electric or electric/hydraulic, compressed air is still required to operate the spray gun, transfer pumps and any other pneumatic tools on the jobsite. Most coating machine are also air driven, so their requirements also need to be factored into proper sizing.
Power Utility Room
Most mobile spray rigs have a separate area inside them, usually at the front to lighten tongue weight and evenly distribute load in the trailer. The utility areas are commonly separated by an insulated wall to reduce noise. Both air compressors and generators can be very loud. When working around them, ear protection is always a good choice. The generators can range in power capacity – often 40kw to 60kw, but both smaller and larger ones can be used depending on the total amp draw and electrical load the rig system requires. When shopping for your rig, and sizing your generator, you always want to take into account the electrical requirements of the total system including extra tools such as lights, auxiliary heaters, power tools, the air compressor, and other utilities that will be used in conjunction with the spray foam equipment.
Generators
The generator must also provide the same electrical output as the machine. In other words, a single phase generator will not run a three phase machine. Be sure to make sure your total system is compatible, especially if you are building your rig yourself.
Another commonly overlooked issue is that of powering the generator itself. Most commercial generators run on diesel fuel. This brings up many considerations in both the design and operation. You need to know how much fuel consumption the generator will use in order to keep it running to finish the spray foam job. Running out of fuel will stop you dead! Second, you should determine the ease of filling the generator up with fuel. Is the fill connection easy to reach with a standard fuel pump and hose? Will you have to fill it by transferring fuel from supply to jug? Is there enough fuel capacity altogether? All of these are important considerations when reviewing the spray rig and generator set-up.
Air Compressors
The same sizing issues also exist with your air compressor. Material supply pumps commonly use air to operate. If they do not get enough air to operate effectively, especially if you are also operating a pneumatic proportioning pump and a coating rig at the same time, bigger problems materials can occur, like off ratio finished product. Once again, take into account the entire system of equipment and tools when specifying and sizing your air compressor too.
The overall benefit in most cases is that the foam rig supplier has done all this work for you and a well engineered mobile spray foam rig can make all the difference between a smooth running and efficient spray application, and one where you lose a lot of money trying to keep all the necessary functions simultaneously in operation.
More Topics About Mobile Spray Foam Trailers and Rigs
