3 Phase power?

B

BChou-E29

Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
503
So I've been doing some motor shopping and I found a really sweet deal on a 2 HP 1740 RPM Leeson motor :jerkit:

Only problem is it's 3 phase and I only have access to common 1 phase household power. Does anyone have a (cost effective) way of getting around this problem? I looked up rotary phase converters and they sell for upwards of $500.00...money that could be just put into a single phase motor.
 
You need a VFD (variable frequency drive) rated appropriately for the motor. A proper VFD will take 1 phase input and convert it to 3 phase output. The great thing about VFD's isn't just that they provide power to the motor, but they provide power and make the motor fully variable speed (only 3 phase motors).

A NEMA4 enclosure VFD can be pretty pricey, but you can find one without the wash-down rated enclosure and build a clean box for it. I use the Teco FM50 VFD. You can check out the shop tour on my website to see how I set it up.

--nathan
 
Wow. Lord help me if I needed to wire something like that. I think I'll stick to single phase ;) Thanks anyways Nathan.
 
I found a tutorial on how to build your own phase converter. http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/ph-conv/ph-conv.html

I found a local guy here who has 4ea 2hp 3 ph motors he'll sell me for $5 ea. I plan to just use a 110v motor as a kicker to start an idler motor and piggy back my grinder and any other motors to that instead of trying to rig a starting capacitor and solenoids.
 
You can try this.

Toshiba Model VFS11 Single Phase/Three Phase AC Adjustable Speed Drive
Toshiba 2 hp 230v 1ph Input 3ph Output AC Adjustable Speed Drive Model
#VFS11S-2015 PL-WN in a Nema 1 Enclosure 5.1” H x 4.1” W x 5.5” D
It will cost you about $300.00
I hope that helps!
 
Bchou,

It's not as hard to wire as you think. It's actually pretty easy and I'm sure any number of guys here would be willing to help you get it set up. I use the ACTech VFDs myself. If you went that route I'd be happy to help you get it wired up.

little mac,

If you'd like to part with one of those motors I think I could help you out ;) 2HP is a bit small for building an RPC though, you probably want to hunt for a larger motor for an RPC build.

-d
 
Deker, I'll keep your offer for consideration. The more I study on this obcession the more motor intense it looks, there's always a need for a motor. I think as long as my slave motors don't excede my idler motor I'll be ok. Now if someone had a spare VFD, that would save me a big headache. I'd certainly part with a motor or 2 for that. But that's too much to ask, so I'll be happy with useing pulleys for variable speed.
 
ya wireing up a VFD is a pice of cake. and for what you need it is great to have var speed.
 
Your three choices are:
1. Solid State Phase Converter
2. Rotary Phase Converter
3. VFD (Variable Frequency Drive)

There are downsides to all of them, but the VFD probably gives you the best value for your money (as it also allows speed control). You can make your own Rotary Phase Converter, but I think that would be more difficult than wiring a VFD, and you need two extra motors. I seem to recall that Solid State Phase Converters have their own limitations, but I can't remember off the top of my head what they are.
 
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