Variable Frequency Drive need some help

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

Variable Frequency Drive need some help

Pete Moss · GTA

Can't help you with the VFD but I can suggest looking into retrofitting an electric motor and its controls from a used treadmill (if this is for home use). I believe the industrial treadmills are generally 220V but a 110V "home" version might work for your application. Treadmills typically come with decent HP, variable speed and are always available (mostly the 110V versions) on Kijiji in the GTA ... then I noticed where you live. Might be too hard to find in your area but thought I'd mention it just in case.

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

240 volts, 3 phase motor.
1 HP, just a bit more than you have should do you.
The smaller the motor, the cheaper the drive.

I got mine from Wolf Automation in the States.

https://www.wolfautomation.com/products/ac-drives

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

thanks for the suggestion Pete

Pugsy

I've seen 3 phase motor voltages of 208, 220, 230 how critical is this voltage.

The lathe is for home hobby wood turning and want to try my hand at sheet metal spinning.

thanks
Paul

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Rockhauler wrote:
thanks for the suggestion Pete

Pugsy

I've seen 3 phase motor voltages of 208, 220, 230 how critical is this voltage.

The lathe is for home hobby wood turning and want to try my hand at sheet metal spinning.

thanks
Paul

Probably not too important but not 100% sure. I believe I bought a 220 volt, 3 phase for our drill press at work.

Man, what a great set up. The guys never have to muck around changing the belts anymore.

The beauty thing is is still plugs into a 120 volt receptacle.

One of the drives on the link says 208 - 240 volts, so you're probably OK with any voltages thru the range.

If you're not sure about the motor, go a HP over. You'll never in your life be sorry that you used a higher HP motor.

-- Edited by 123pugsy on Saturday 17th of June 2017 03:01:38 PM

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

Done some research on this but all the info always stopped short of giving good detail on power loss through the vfd though they mention it happens. Never found any info on whether I need to compensate by increasing the motors hp or if there would be loss of torque issues at slower rpm's.

I figured the voltage wouldn't be real critical but on a lathe the longer run times might cause motor heat issues if there's a voltage miss match.

Been trying to find a cheap used vfd but so far if there cheap then the input voltage has to be 3 phase too. The vfd's with the 208-240 volt range would likely be my best bet over ones stating a single output voltage.

thanks for your input pugsy

Paul

Petebil · ONTARIO

I've used Hitachi VFDs and never had an issue. Buy one rated for 2hp and put plugs on both ends. This way you can use the same VFD for multiple machines. don't be concerned too much about the voltage rating of the 3 phase motor as long as you're in the 208-240V range. Like you already mentioned, make sure you buy one that is 220 single phase in.

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

Thanks Pete like that idea of the plugs so the vfd can be used on multiple machines as Pugsy has me thinking of converting my drill press too.

Petebil · ONTARIO

Rockhauler wrote:
Thanks Pete like that idea of the plugs so the vfd can be used on multiple machines as Pugsy has me thinking of converting my drill press too.

Who would have thought that 3 phase motors would ever be good for home use ? smile smile

Would be great for a drill press because you'll have high torque at low speeds, and a 3000 RPM motor can be over driven to 90HZ to get 4500 RPM. Technically, a VFD driven motor needs a higher insulation value, but for occasional use like a home shop a standard motor will last forever.

-- Edited by Petebil on Monday 19th of June 2017 03:03:07 PM

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Here's a lousy video I did.

This was before it was set to use the dial for the speed control.

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Petebil wrote:
I've used Hitachi VFDs and never had an issue. Buy one rated for 2hp and put plugs on both ends. This way you can use the same VFD for multiple machines. don't be concerned too much about the voltage rating of the 3 phase motor as long as you're in the 208-240V range. Like you already mentioned, make sure you buy one that is 220 single phase in.

Doesn't need 220 in.

You can go 120 in and 240, 3 phase out. Freakin amazing.

Petebil · ONTARIO

123pugsy wrote:
Petebil wrote:
I've used Hitachi VFDs and never had an issue. Buy one rated for 2hp and put plugs on both ends. This way you can use the same VFD for multiple machines. don't be concerned too much about the voltage rating of the 3 phase motor as long as you're in the 208-240V range. Like you already mentioned, make sure you buy one that is 220 single phase in.
Doesn't need 220 in.
You can go 120 in and 240, 3 phase out. Freakin amazing.

You can, but not for a 2HP motor. You would need a 30 amp 115 volt outlet which is non existent is residential areas. Best to sick to 220v.

meester_jamie · GALT, ONT

Petebil wrote:
123pugsy wrote:
Petebil wrote:
I've used Hitachi VFDs and never had an issue. Buy one rated for 2hp and put plugs on both ends. This way you can use the same VFD for multiple machines. don't be concerned too much about the voltage rating of the 3 phase motor as long as you're in the 208-240V range. Like you already mentioned, make sure you buy one that is 220 single phase in.
Doesn't need 220 in.
You can go 120 in and 240, 3 phase out. Freakin amazing.
You can, but not for a 2HP motor. You would need a 30 amp 115 volt outlet which is non existent is residential areas. Best to sick to 220v.

just wondering where you got the 30amp from,, is that empirical,, or from a code book.... I do know some numbers from experience,, and once you get into chopper circuits.. the code book tables arn't even close.. but I don't know VFD numbers.. so that Is why I am asking..

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Petebil wrote:
123pugsy wrote:
Petebil wrote:
I've used Hitachi VFDs and never had an issue. Buy one rated for 2hp and put plugs on both ends. This way you can use the same VFD for multiple machines. don't be concerned too much about the voltage rating of the 3 phase motor as long as you're in the 208-240V range. Like you already mentioned, make sure you buy one that is 220 single phase in.
Doesn't need 220 in.
You can go 120 in and 240, 3 phase out. Freakin amazing.
You can, but not for a 2HP motor. You would need a 30 amp 115 volt outlet which is non existent is residential areas. Best to sick to 220v.

I'll have to check what I used on my drill press. Probably a smaller HP motor.

I'm using 240 input on my milling machine.

Smokin Joe · ONTARIO

You all are getting off real easy. I bought a new 7 1/2 HP Ph converter and then that is where all my headaches started. Had an electrician come down to put a new panel in. Then Hydro One got involved and made me put in two new poles on my property. PLUS pay for two new poles that they owned including the one ACROSS the road. Then my panel could go in and then the phase converter and a 600 volt transformer. Cathleen Gwen just loves to down load and keep it a secret until she stabs you in the back for the tune of $8,700. just for poles. All this hydro down loading they do not tell us about even though we are paying maintenance on your monthly bill. I am talking residential not commensal.

-- Edited by Smokin Joe on Tuesday 20th of June 2017 04:31:06 PM

Petebil · ONTARIO

meester_jamie wrote:

just wondering where you got the 30amp from,, is that empirical,, or from a code book.... I do know some numbers from experience,, and once you get into chopper circuits.. the code book tables arn't even close.. but I don't know VFD numbers.. so that Is why I am asking..

30 amp is a rough estimate. instead of trying to explain, check out this link------->http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/elctrical-motor-full-load-current-d_1499.html

2HP will draw around 13 amps @ 220v. @ 110v it will draw around 26 amps so in theory you would need a 30amp 115v circuit. It's just a rough guess, but I'm in the ball park. Was just trying to make a point as to why you don't want to double the voltage.

-- Edited by Petebil on Tuesday 20th of June 2017 05:26:51 PM

123pugsy · MARKHAM, ONT

Petebil wrote:
meester_jamie wrote:

just wondering where you got the 30amp from,, is that empirical,, or from a code book.... I do know some numbers from experience,, and once you get into chopper circuits.. the code book tables arn't even close.. but I don't know VFD numbers.. so that Is why I am asking..

30 amp is a rough estimate. instead of trying to explain, check out this link------->http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/elctrical-motor-full-load-current-d_1499.html
2HP will draw around 13 amps @ 220v. @ 110v it will draw around 26 amps so in theory you would need a 30amp 115v circuit. It's just a rough guess, but I'm in the ball park. Was just trying to make a point as to why you don't want to double the voltage.

-- Edited by Petebil on Tuesday 20th of June 2017 05:26:51 PM

Thanks.

I completely didn't consider amperage. Been a few coupla years since I did the conversion.

Just checked our drill press.

It's 3/4 HP running on 120 volts.