Hello all. I am looking for any info on a phase converter. I have 220v power in my shop and am getting a 220v 3phase machine. What do you guys use?? Thanks Chris.
need info on phase converter.
- Thread starter Chris Byrne
- Start date
Chris Byrne said:
The cheapest way to go would probably to just change the motor to a 220v single phase. If this is not feasable then there are three other options.
A lot depends on what you will use the equipment for. The cheapest way to go is with a static phase converter such as a Phase-a-matic. These usually cost between 1 and 200.00. They only take a few minutes to hook up. Their drawback is they don't emit a true 3 phase current and by their operation only give 2/3 of the motors h/p. This meens that if it is a 3 h/p motor then it will only put out 2 h/p. This is O.K. if it is a machine where you would be using it for light duty so that it's top h/p is not needed. I've got a 16X54 lathe equiped in this manner as it is just used for turning butts and doesn't need much power as the lathe was designed for taking large cuts in metal that needed much more power than what I use it for. I paid around a 100.00 dollars for the phase converter 15 years ago and it still works fine.
The next better way is to use a rotary phase converter. This is a combination of a static phase converter and a 3 phase motor. Although they cost much more to purchase than a static phase converter, they can easily be home made and they emit a true 3 phase so that you will get the full horsepower out of your motors. A Rotor type phase converter can be used on multiple pieces of equipment at once.
The third way, probably the most expensive way and as far as I'm concerned the best way is with a VFD. You can get a VFDs that has a transformer built in that automatically converts your 220v single to 220v 3 phase. With this unit you will be able to emit up to 3 times the frequency coming in, meaning, if you have 220v 60 hz coming in ( standard in U.S. ) then you can have it supply up to 180hz. This can give you variable speed from 0 up to 3 times the motors rated speed with the use of a potentometer ( reostat ), forward/reverse without stopping the motor first, full motors horsepower and an electric brake on the motor.
I've got two lathes equipped with the VFD system and would have no other. I never have to change belt drives and my lathes are set to run between 0 and 3000 rpm with just the twist of a dial. Metal cutting is usually done at slower speeds but higher speeds are needed for turning wood. I could set the lathes to go much faster but am afraid the chucks would come apart from centrifigle force. When doing single point thread cutting, I can engage the back gear and slow the lathe down to about 10 rpm with enough power to cut threads if I want to. This comes in real handy when trying to cut threads to a shoulder or in a blind hole.
Dick
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The item Chris is inquiring about has two 440V three phase motors on it. I never figured out how to rewire them for 220 three phase in order to hook up a power converter. I am told this can be done. Probably will wish I had and had kept the machine one day. One is 7.5HP motor and the other is like a 2 HP.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
cueman said:
Some, but not all, 440 motors can be internally switched to 220. It would tell on the wiring plate. 440 is a commercial voltage and would be very expensive to convert. You would be much better off aquiring 220 motors to replace the originals if these can't be internally switched. Used 3-phase motors can be aquired very cheaply as very few manufacturing places will take a chance that they may be bad as their labor and down time installing them is high. I once worked for a place that when a 50 h/p mtor burned up they would get a new one for 10,000.00 instead of getting a used one for 500.00.
Dick
oops I seem to remember someone telling me these machines were 220v. I did not think to ask. So any info on rewireing and phase converters will be helpful. I will seek out a electrical shop in town as I don't want to let out the majic smoke. Chris.
rhncue said:
Mine is a little different - but boy is it the way to go. Less stress on the lathes too. And when you start talking phase converters etc with your machinery there is the hidden cost of how much power consumption it will take -- ie higher electrical bill each month. (that the old electrician in me)
Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com
a few thoughts
I used a static phase converter on my Bridgeport J-head mill with no problems even making heavy cuts in stainless. The converter I used claimed to give 85-90% motor power for fifteen minutes or so with the new solid state converter design. I have no idea concerning the accuracy of that statement.
I occasionally run equipment in a shop powered by a thirty horsepower rated rotary phase converter. It works great but is very noisy even compared to the mill and eighteen by 50-60 inch lathe it is close to. Noise may be an issue with a rotary converter.
I would let a man who knew electric motors look at the motors on the machinery now. If they can be converted to 220 I would run a phase converter or VFD. If not the two horse motor could readily be replaced with a 220 single or three phase motor. The seven and a half horse motor can be replaced with single phase too but that may be pricey, that is very large for a single phase motor. You will need a starter for the larger motor too if you go single phase, might go either way on the two horse.
Hu
I used a static phase converter on my Bridgeport J-head mill with no problems even making heavy cuts in stainless. The converter I used claimed to give 85-90% motor power for fifteen minutes or so with the new solid state converter design. I have no idea concerning the accuracy of that statement.
I occasionally run equipment in a shop powered by a thirty horsepower rated rotary phase converter. It works great but is very noisy even compared to the mill and eighteen by 50-60 inch lathe it is close to. Noise may be an issue with a rotary converter.
I would let a man who knew electric motors look at the motors on the machinery now. If they can be converted to 220 I would run a phase converter or VFD. If not the two horse motor could readily be replaced with a 220 single or three phase motor. The seven and a half horse motor can be replaced with single phase too but that may be pricey, that is very large for a single phase motor. You will need a starter for the larger motor too if you go single phase, might go either way on the two horse.
Hu
Jack, can you explain "less stress" a little
Jack,
I am not disagreeing with you here however my one concern with a VFD has always been that using the common practice of setting the machine in a moderately high gear and using the VFD to cut very slow would greatly increase the stress on the gear train, perhaps to the point of doing damage. Am I thinking wrong or were you talking about stress on the electrical components starting and stopping?
Thanks for any additional info you can provide. A friend has a Monarch EE in excellent condition other than that the antique variable speed control went bad and is gone as is very common on these. I sure would like to get it running and have been thinking a VFD would be just the ticket.
Hu
Jack,
I am not disagreeing with you here however my one concern with a VFD has always been that using the common practice of setting the machine in a moderately high gear and using the VFD to cut very slow would greatly increase the stress on the gear train, perhaps to the point of doing damage. Am I thinking wrong or were you talking about stress on the electrical components starting and stopping?
Thanks for any additional info you can provide. A friend has a Monarch EE in excellent condition other than that the antique variable speed control went bad and is gone as is very common on these. I sure would like to get it running and have been thinking a VFD would be just the ticket.
Hu