We have just began to replace the drive systems on our children's rides with energy efficient alternatives. The existing systems consist of 110V D.C. motors that are supplied via a step down transformer. The voltage from this transformer is rectified to change it from alternating current (standard household type electricity) to direct current (an older system that was widespread in industry in the past). This rectified power is then fed through a variable resistor which turns a lot of it into waste heat and uses the remainder to power the ride.
This has been swapped for an electronic inverter system which takes standard household voltage and turns it into a 3 phase industrial supply. The main advantage of this is that there is very little heat produced, and on the toyset ride, the power consumption for the drive has fallen from around 10 amps to less than 3. We use much less fuel to power it, and smaller more efficient generators can be employed to further reduce costs and emissions.
An additional benefit is that previously the drive control had to be altered each ride depending on how many children were riding. Now the electronic system keeps the speed at a preset level automatically, which helps improve safety.
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This has been swapped for an electronic inverter system which takes standard household voltage and turns it into a 3 phase industrial supply. The main advantage of this is that there is very little heat produced, and on the toyset ride, the power consumption for the drive has fallen from around 10 amps to less than 3. We use much less fuel to power it, and smaller more efficient generators can be employed to further reduce costs and emissions.
An additional benefit is that previously the drive control had to be altered each ride depending on how many children were riding. Now the electronic system keeps the speed at a preset level automatically, which helps improve safety.
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