KBAC off switch

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golfer1

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Nov 24, 2016
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I have a single start switch on my KBAC grinder unit. It appears electric power continues thru the switch when it is set in the stop position. I've another unit with a start switch pluss a on/off switch.
I would like to make sure all power to the unit is off when I leave for the evening, should I install a on/off switch to the unit that only has a start switch?
 
golfer1 said:
I have a single start switch on my KBAC grinder unit. It appears electric power continues thru the switch when it is set in the stop position. I've another unit with a start switch pluss a on/off switch.
I would like to make sure all power to the unit is off when I leave for the evening, should I install a on/off switch to the unit that only has a start switch?
Click to expand...
Yes, install the switch, or unplug the unit when your done. Even with the switch mine stays powered for a minute or so as it takes a bit for the capacitors to discharge.
 
I wire on/off switches on all of my VFDs. Any standard sized DPST toggle switch should be fine. I know the KBACs use the rubber dust boots over all of the switches, but I imagine you'd be ok with or without it. I don't really see how dust is going to get in once it is tight.

Edit: Switch is a DPST for on/off.
 
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Golfer, like gunfight says. it's no big deal to wire in a switch, but the kit KB sells sure makes it easy and convenient. It comes with jumper wires with female spade connectors which make the installation plug and play, a 2-3 minute job. It also includes the rubber boot cover which might be overkill as far as dust, but I run my grinder wet and it's nice knowing no water is seeping in through that switch. If you do decide to buy the switch kit, save yourself now and order the reverse switch also, just in case you ever need reverse. I use my VFD for both the 2x72 and the disc grinder which is where the reverse switch is essential.
 
Home Despot sells Gardner Bender switches

The 20 amp 1.5 HP DPST would do a 1.5 HP motor



They may have the switch rubber boots in the same section, in Gardner Bender packages.
Packaged in pairs, it works out to $2 or less for the rubber boots.
 
Thanks again, great idea about getting the reversing switch. I like the idea of having the leads already for the connections. You guys are great.
 
12345678910 said:
Home Despot sells Gardner Bender switches

The 20 amp 1.5 HP DPST would do a 1.5 HP motor



They may have the switch rubber boots in the same section, in Gardner Bender packages.
Packaged in pairs, it works out to $2 or less for the rubber boots.
Click to expand...

WHOOPS!

Count is correct, that was a typo on my part. Double Pole SINGLE Throw for the off switch. Double Throw would be for the Forward/Stop/Reverse switch, but you should only need a SINGLE pole for that switch, IIRC. So DPST for on/off, SPDT for reversing. Make sure it's an On-Off-On for the SPDT toggle though.

As for the kit switches, they're not a bad option, though they can be a little pricey. I recently wired up a 1HP Dayton drive that's very similar to a kbac, and they wanted up to $50 + shopping some places for basically just a run of the mill On-Off-On toggle with three wires, and a 3 pin female jumper connector. Even the $35 that most places want for it is borderline ridiculous, IMO.

I dug through my parts pin and found everything I needed for practically nothing. Pro Tip: before you throw out old electronics, pull out the cables, connectors, components, etc... They come in handy if you like to tinker.

At any rate, the jumpers that KBAC uses are just your standard female spade connectors with rubber over them. They're available in most hardware stores, and you can get a small box of them for next to nothing.
 
I have a main power switch next to my shop door.
No matter what is turned on, if I turn off the power there nothing has power.
Best way to be sure
 
I have been able to find the switches for about 17.00 pluss shipping at a place called Galco. Thanks again for all the help. I like the idea of a total on/off switch, is that a breaker in your electric panel?
 
It doesn't hurt it to leave power to the VFD, leaving a VFD unpowered for an extended period of time can hurt them. It's still a good idea to have a switch between the circuit breaker and the VFD, so that you can do a hard reset when necessary.

A VFD can sit unused and without power for a short time without service, but if a VFD has been stored for one or more years, it must be reformed — to recondition the dc bus capacitors for service. Here, the designer must run the drive with no motor leads connected for at least eight hours before trying to run the drive under load. Why? The electrolyte inside the bus capacitors changes state when not used for a long period of time; repowering the drive under no load brings the electrolytic charge back to its proper charged state.
Click to expand...

So if it's not going to sit for a year without power no big deal I guess. I prefer to keep power on. The draw is minimal.
 
CWendling said:
What does it hurt to leave the power on?
Click to expand...

All components have a limited life, I don't prefer to consume it not being used.

However as said, if the capacitors become run down, you have to charge them again.



We have dirty rural power.
Spikes, black outs, brownouts, poor quality.
It kills computers and tv's so on.

I don't want to expose it to that unnecessarily either.
 
That being said, mine has an on/off switch (other than the for/rev/stop). It used to work. Now it does nothing. Replace switch? Or something else in the KBAC I should check?
 
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