So are Brent's machines using mechanical reversing? Bridgeport, SMs etc.
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.5hp-1hp 220v 1ph to 3ph VFD suggestions?
- Thread starter calgaryguy
- Start date
So are Brent's machines using mechanical reversing? Bridgeport, SMs etc.
If you add directional switching between the output of the VFD and the motor, like a drum switch, that VFD won't last long, and you are also negating all of the cool features that a vfd can do. This is also why trying to run multiple machines off of one VFD is a really bad idea.
No idea on Brents, but i'm sure he has the machines correctly wired. Its so easy there is no reason to do it any other way.
I don't need to know what Brett h has to say.....it's literally in the instruction manual
And to add to this, EVERY vfd manual....
ok.....
the M in the circle is the motor, connected directly to the VFD, with nothing in between
Brent H
Ultra Member
@YYCHM : I use the VFD for just the phase correction- yes. The fwd/rev/stop is also wired as per the external VFD control using the COM, X5 and X4, I believe might be X6
As the guys have said, no mechanical phase switches between the U,V, W, and the motor.
I do not use the speed control features. The lathes are set for 60Hz and the mill at 50 Hz as per the motor plate. The mill will run at 50 or 60 Hz and the spindle speed is right on the money for 50 Hz setting 220 volts.
I also found that other than 60 Hz operation of the lathes, things really began heating up after a couple hours use. I no longer fart around with the speed control.
I can send you an English pdf of the instructions if you wish. Sorry if there was confusion.
As the guys have said, no mechanical phase switches between the U,V, W, and the motor.
I do not use the speed control features. The lathes are set for 60Hz and the mill at 50 Hz as per the motor plate. The mill will run at 50 or 60 Hz and the spindle speed is right on the money for 50 Hz setting 220 volts.
I also found that other than 60 Hz operation of the lathes, things really began heating up after a couple hours use. I no longer fart around with the speed control.
I can send you an English pdf of the instructions if you wish. Sorry if there was confusion.
I have not done this yet, but I plan to.
I am planning to VFDize my lathe. I will prolly upsize the motor 30-50% or so in the process. I think the main advantage of the VFD is the variable speed, soft start, and fast stop (braking resistor) capability. The TECO can do all this. So the lack of availability of the latter two would be show stoppers for me with a cheaper model. I'm not certain about the latter but it's in my research priorities list. With soft start, oversizing the motor a bit isn't a major concern and a bigger motor would have better holding torque under load. Somebody else might argue with that (and I would welcome the debate for the learning opportunity, but that's my going in starting point.
This is not an endorsement of your thoughts or mine - just offering the reassurance that there is another member out there with the same interests heading down a very similar path. Please think of me as you learn more about this project and I'll do the same for you.
Is that because you use the stock motor?
A BIG driver for me is lower speed. My lathes lowest speed is 70RPM. I'd like to be able to go to 40. My age is limiting. I only have one good eye right now, my hand eye coordination has gone to hel& in a hand basket, and I shake like an oak leaf. Lower speed would help me do things I used to do again.
I'm prepared to buy a VFD rated motor to get me there.
@Susquatch the cheap-o Chinese VFD's have the slow start/fast stop feature your looking for, definitely the best feature of the vfd imo
no need to spend the big bucks...unless of course you want to
no need to spend the big bucks...unless of course you want to
I think it's important to understand why there shouldn't be anything between the VFD and the motor.
In simple terms, there are at least 4 reasons.
1. The VFD output is WAY more than a simple 3-phase sinusoidal output. It's a chopped up high frequency rectified DC voltage converted to an output that looks "sorta 3 phase" to the motor.
2. The VFD does way more than output a psuedo 3 phase. It also measures current and phase feedback from the motor so it knows where the motor is at all times in high speed real time and can adjust the output to fine tune the motor operation.
3. High frequency signals like the carrier output of a VFD don't like switches and other things in the signal path - especially if they are different in one set of windings from another.
4. Some VFD's learn about your motor and REMEMBER what they learn in order to optimize their output. We mere mortals don't always know what they are doing there and its not good to send the VFD signals that change.
Although I don't recommend it, I have found that you can put a Reversing Drum Switch (one that just reverses 2 of the 3 feed wires) between a VFD and a motor as long as the power to the VFD is turned off for long enough to reset the VFD. But again, I don't recommend it.
Reversing the direction of a motor is way better off done through the VFD. With the TECO L510, you can even go from full forward to full reverse using the VFD direction switch. It's amazing how well the motor likes that.
Ya, I know that most do. But I'd want to make sure of it before sending my cash to China.
I guess how much a given VFD costs all depends on what your objectives are. For mission critical things I don't mind spending a bit more to get the certainty and peace of mind. For something simple, I'm always more than willing to save some money.
yea thats totally fair, i can tell you that these 2.2kw beige ones definitely do have it, i can even send you scans of the multi-page instruction set that lists all of the features etc if your considering. Im Fairley certain they are all reverse engineered from a couple different American made models, microprocessor code included.....we all know china isnt really into engineering their own products
I actually ordered myne from amazon, it was no cheaper than ali, and was at my door in a few days
Brent H
Ultra Member
@Susquatch : yes I am using the original motors for the machines. Basically 60 plus years old. They run great. The Utilathe low speed is 50 RPM and I find that suitable at this stage of the game.
As you know Bridget is variable speed so I don’t see the point of adjusting the VFD. If it was a pulley machine- absolutely
I have 3 of the beige ones shown above and they all work fine. The braking and slow start are great.
As you know Bridget is variable speed so I don’t see the point of adjusting the VFD. If it was a pulley machine- absolutely
I have 3 of the beige ones shown above and they all work fine. The braking and slow start are great.
OK. In that case I am on your page. I'd prolly be happy with 50 rpm too - at least for now.
If I'm still on the green side of the grass, give me a shout when you are 75. I'll be most interested to see if you are still happy then.
Just in case that doesn't come across right, it's a serious question. I accept aging as a fantastic alternative to a visit from the grim reaper. But it does present a few challenges. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to live with them. Lower speeds are my friends even if my younger machines don't like them.
A hot young motor isn't such a horrible thing for me......
calgaryguy
Chris
Yep, I assume it was a sait add on.