Another "should I buy this motor" thread. :)

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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Alright, so there is a guy at my work that does a ton of bartering with other people from craigslist and locally. Anyway I was asking him if he ever comes across good used motors... He said that he actually just traded some stuff for a box of goodies including a *brand new* 2hp 3phase 220v Baldor (tefc, c face). I know for sure that I want it, but he's asked me for $200. Does that sound like a good deal? The best part is that he'll take payments.

He asked how I'd be powering it and I told him that I'd need to source a vfd. He says, oh I have one I can throw in if you buy the motor. Now he doesn't know much about the vfd (may not work for me), but if it does I'll definitely jump on it. How's that price if the vfd won't work though?
 
Brand new? Really? Sounds like a deal to me. Jump on it... if you are also willing to invest the money to get 220V 3 phase power wired to your shop.
 
If the vfd works it is a great deal. If it doesn't it is too much. You can get a motor on ebay for much less, including shipping. I see a 1.5HP for $20 right now.

I would ask him to hook up the vfd and demonstrate the motor running on it....if he can't. or it won't work....offer him $50 cash for the motor only.

You will need 220VAC in the shop to run that motor in any practical way. Running it on 120VAC would be quite a load.
 
Obviously I have a lot to learn. I already knew that of course.

I thought you could run that motor with 120v through the vfd. Is that not how it works?

120v-vfd-220v motor? Or would I need a phase convertor too? Bleh... I'm so lost with anything electric. Really really wish my dad was still around. :(
 
If you could provide a little more info on the VFD, we could possibly help a little more.

The input vs output voltage will depend on the model of VFD. That said, if you have the ability to go to 220VAC in your shop at all, I would highly recommend it.

Now, is $200 too much for a brand new 3 phase baldor? With a functional VFD, no. In fact, it would be a great deal. Without a VFD? You can be the judge, but I've seen 2 hp 3 phase motors for cheaper.

Don't let a used 3 phase motor scare you too much. Unless they were abused, over loaded, etc..., a 3 phase motor will last forever. It's one of those things that typically either works, or it doesn't, in my experience. There's a lot of "new old stock" motors available on the secondary market as well, from people who have had spares sitting on the shelf for year, because, as I stated, 3 phase motors last a VERY long time.
 
Thanks ktagf. I've worked at this production factory (I'm at work atm) for 12 years and there are many dozens of Baldor motors running 24/7. In fact, most of them are subject to water (and acid solutions) daily without any issues. We have some of the white wash down motors, but the standard gray workhorses just keep humming so they don't get replaced. We even have some weird obscure german motors that are around 30 years old here that just won't die. Nah, I'm not worried about the motor being used, but a new one is nice I guess.

My "shop" is the garage in a rental so I won't be installing any... Well anything I guess. :)

May just have to pass on this. I believe the vfd came from here (the factory) so it's probably not something I can use. He needs to find out more about it then tell me so I can tell you.

Not lookin so good.
 
Just curious, what do you have for power supply in that garage? If you have a clothes dryer outlet in there, you're set- but you probably would have realized that. Is there a subpanel in there? If so, it could be that it's got a 240V supply but only 120V breakers and circuits are installed. If that's the case (a long shot) then you could easily have some 240V equipment in your shop.

Also, if you are still considering the VFD, make sure that it phase converts. Some VFDs, often the more industrial ones, are just frequency regulators and take a 3 phase input.
 
Many VFDs will run on 120 or 240 VAC input. I run a 1.5HP VS grinder on 120VAC. The problem comes when you get up to 2HP or greater motors. The current running through the wires between the fuse box and the VFD gets close to the capacity. The lines can get hot, and breakers and fuses blow easily. 240VAC has half the current draw on two lines instead of all of it on one as in 120VAC.

Many folks say there is no 220 VAC, but that is almost always not so. If there is an air conditioner, a dryer, or an electric range in your place, there is 220 VAC available.
Sometimes the solution is as simple as making a heavy duty extension cord that fits the dryer outlet.
Other, more creative solutions, are to identify two outlets in the same room that are on separate legs and make a two plug one socket extension cord. This should only be done as a last resort and done by someone who completely understands how 220 works.
 
Other, more creative solutions, are to identify two outlets in the same room that are on separate legs and make a two plug one socket extension cord. This should only be done as a last resort and done by someone who completely understands how 220 works.
Click to expand...

A valid way to go, but still would only work if he's got two separate 110/120V circuits that come from a 240/220V fed panel...
 
I feel like everyone just started speaking Chinese. :D

No, you guys are right. I do have a 220v electrical outlet for the clothes dryer. I figured that it couldn't possibly be as easy as wiring a plug to fit the receptacle though.

So let me get this straight. I can wire that motor with a cord that would fit the receptacle for the dryer and all should be good?

I've heard of wiring two standard outlets (separate legs) to run 220v, but as you advised, I'm not comfortable at all with doing that.

If you needed help spinning a wrench on your car or bike I'm your man. Need help with your English assignment? I can do that. Electricity? I'd be the first guy in the room to fry myself. :o
 
bladsmth said:
Other, more creative solutions, are to identify two outlets in the same room that are on separate legs and make a two plug one socket extension cord. This should only be done as a last resort and done by someone who completely understands how 220 works.
Click to expand...
Not just two outlets on two circuits, but it needs to span both sides of the breaker panel (perhaps what you meant by legs).

At any rate, it's not very safe, practical, or up to code, and carries it's own inherent dangers, particularly having to rely on TWO circuit protection devices as opposed to just one.

Sounds like the OP has discovered a solution anyhow...
 
So let me get this straight. I can wire that motor with a cord that would fit the receptacle for the dryer and all should be good?
Click to expand...

No... if the VFD you end up using takes single phase 220/240V power input, you can wire the VFD with a cord that will fit the dryer receptacle, and then the VFD will make the 3 phase that motor needs.
 
Salem has it again.

Make up a 12 gauge extension cord that has a dryer plug that matches the dryer receptacle on one end and a standard 220 volt 20 amp socket on the other end. Plug it into the dryer receptacle, and plug the VFD into the socket. You can also use this cord to run a HT oven, a 220VAC single phase motor, or any other 220VAC device (like a welder).
 
The housing the VFD is in matters too, a VFD in a NEMA 4 (sealed dustproof) enclosure is ready to go, but an open ventilated VFD will need to be mounted in an enclosure to protect it from all the nasty grit and metal dust...
 
Yeah, if it's anything like the vfd's I see at work (it did come from there), it'll be a really big form factor. They may use some that aren't 6' tall, but I haven't seen them. I can't imagine he's talking about something that elaborate or expensive though. I'll know more when I return to work in a few days.
 
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