The Nottingham Industrial Museum is run by volunteers and open to the public at weekends and Bank Holidays. Located in the 17^th Century stables at the stunning Wollaton Hall, the museum allows visitors to see Nottingham’s rich industrial heritage. Wollaton Hall was recently featured in the latest Batman film!

New Technology Aids Old Bus Engine at Nottingham Museum

The museum boasts a Steam Hall, Transport Exhibition, Gin Yard, Communications and Textile galleries and has a unique collection of working steam and diesel engines. Among the many fascinating exhibits is an old bus engine, that has been cut away so the internal workings can be viewed. The 6-cylinder diesel engine sits in a glass cabinet. However, when the engine starts it was causing the cabinet and engine to jump, running a significant risk of damage to both the engine and the cabinet. The museum contacted IDS to see if we could find a solution.

New Technology Aids Old Bus Engine at Nottingham Museum

We donated and installed an ABB ACS355 inverter to enable a “soft start”, to allow the motor to increase speed slowly avoiding the violent jump. We have also used the inverter’s 16kHz switching frequency option to ensure silent running.

We will also be installing a push button start so that the public can operate this display and it will run for one minute.

IDS MD, Nick Goodard says: “We were delighted to help out and donate the drive and labour. Not only were we able to aid an important piece of Nottingham’s industrial heritage, our apprentice accompanied our engineers and gained some valuable and interesting experience.”

Commenting on the donation, Helen Bowen Marketing Director for Nottingham Industrial Museum said: “On behalf of Nottingham Industrial Museum I would like to sincerely thank you and IDS for supplying and fitting the soft start to our bus engine. It’s generous support like this that makes such a difference to us and helps to bring what can be at times a lifeless museum back to life.”

We highly recommend a visit to the Nottingham Industrial Museum, it really is a fascinating day out. They run plenty of events, find out more about opening times and entry fees by clicking here.

IDS are based in Ilkeston and are an ABB AVP. We Supply, Install, Commission, Repair and Maintain ABB Inverters. To talk to us about utilising an ABB inverter to initiate a soft start or to reduce operating noise call us on 0115 944 1036 or email [email protected]