Affordable VFD

Check out K & B Electronics, they have Nema 4 and Nema 1 drives for good prices. You can get a Nema 1 for around 150.00 if I remember correctly. They are totally enclosed but not water/dust proof. With a little care they do fine. I have been running my grinder using a Nema 1 Penta drive for over two years with no problems. I do unplug the grinder open the case on the drive and blow it out occasionally. There is usually a small amount of dust inside. I have it mounted on my grinder up high.

Here is a link:

http://state-electric.com/_catalogue_15284/KB_Controls
 
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The decision has been made, it will be a KBAC-27D in about 2 weeks with a tight home budget and Wayne Coe's willingness to ship to my friends US mailing address and accept my payment coming from Canada, I can just squeak the extra $125 out. And being that it is a CONUS delivery there is no shipping:thumbup:
 
Exactly, numbers. My Teco is far away, but wires for the remote box go through the wall. I can change speed, fwd/rev, run/stop, and power on/off without stepping away from the grinder. I could be knee deep in steel dust and never have to take a break. I practically am anyway, I need to work on my grinding room dust situation. At least I have a respirator.

Unky, congrats. Nice VFD you're getting, and you'll be enjoying it soon. Wiring it up is even fun.
 
I'm thinking about the FM50 as well and have downloaded the manual. One thing Wasn't real clear.
Are the switches for remote use momentary or snap action ?
Also, what is the actual physical size of the FM50 ? Seems to be missing from the spec sheet. I have access to some fiberglass enclosures, but need to know the size.
 
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If you look through the manual they give you minimum enclosure sizes. I can't remember off hand right now, but it is in there.

Ok I found it, not full dimensions just the space needed around the unit

You need 2.27" on either side of the FM50, 4.72" clearance top and bottom, and 2" in front of it. The picture shows a fan vented case so it may need more for with no fan.
 
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I'm not sure what you mean by momentary and snap action, perhaps you could clarify?

What I used for the switches on my remote box were mostly triple pole, double throw toggle switches and the speed pot was a 10k potentiometer with three pins. Oddly, I used a pot with audio taper, but it works well.
 
Pretty sure mine is an SPST. Though it may be a DPST.

It's most definitely NOT a momentary switch.

Anyway, it's the stock switch on my surface grinder.
 
Sorry my mind blanked out, happens when you get older. Guess what I meant was momentary or toggle. I worked in electronics for 20 some odd years, but just couldn't think of the name toggle switch to save my life.
I'll have to look the manuasl over again for dimentions, Thanks.
 
Okay I finally got a hold of Factorymation and canceled my order for the FM50 and will be making my payment to Wayne Coe for the KBAC-27D tomorrow afternoon. If everything works out right I should have my grinder up and running in 2-3 weeks. Best of all the KBAC 27 will run my 1.5hp motor on 115V so I don't need to move the drier outlet and can save that for when I get a HT oven, and to top it off I got a wheel build job that paid enough that I don't have to eat Mr Noodles for 2 weeks because of the extra cost of the better drive:D
 
Wow talk about fast service, I sent the money this afternoon and Wayne said it will most likely be at the US mailing address by the weekend:eek: That would put it in my hands middle of next week. I would still have to make a mount for it and wire everything up but I could have my grinder running by the end of next weekend:D

Time to buy some more steel:p
 
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