Most popular VFD?

tomh

tomh

Joined
Oct 3, 2005
Messages
411
I am somewhat familiar with the KBAC drives that KMG sells, but since I am a tight wad I am trying to find other alternatives that would work for me. The best thing I like about the KB's is the knob for speed adjustment. seems the others I have found are all push button, which puts me off a little. I would love to hear what everyone is using.
 
Hey Tom, which ever one you settle on, it might be worth making sure it has the nema 4 enclosure. I couldn't track down a used deal, so I started searching for a KB 27. When it looked like all I could save was less than twenty dollars at the time, I just ordered from Rob.

Good luck, Craig
 
I use an ACTech VFD. It's only NEMA-1, but I put it in a sealed box (12"x12"x4" outdoor electrical junction box) and wired the switches and dials to the outside of the box. Cost me $240 + $15 for the box. Lots cheaper than a NEMA 4 unit. It's been 3 years now and no issues at all.

-d
 
Yaskawa. Easy, cheap, and small footprint.

Yaskawa VS mini data

I use this brand to run the fan in my office, and its pretty good, nearly any drive (i have seen) can be configured to work with potentiometer input (knob adjustment)

good luck
 
I dig the FM50 also...

Grinder1.jpg
 
Thanks for all the great responses, guys.

Can anyone steer me to directions for installing a potentiometer, and running multiple machined from one drive?

I would like it if I could run my KMG and disc off one central drive.
 
tomh said:
Thanks for all the great responses, guys.

Can anyone steer me to directions for installing a potentiometer, and running multiple machined from one drive?

I would like it if I could run my KMG and disc off one central drive.
Click to expand...

..most every drive I know[/U] has some manner of manual adjustment already built in, so if you are not really cought up in the idea of a knob you should be able to modulate it out of the box with nothing but power and the motors wired.

I think for running two devices on one drive, you would be best served to have the VFD installed to a box or just wired to a receptacle with "SO" cable and the right NEMA designated plug, so then you can switch the motor loads to the receptacle as your process requires. but your motors on the KMG and disc would need to be the same voltage and phase, with the drive being sized to run the larger motor load.
 
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Can't help with the POT but I just set up plugs for my VFD.. I unplug one and plug in the other machine to run it. It can be a bit of a pain but since I am a one man shop I can onl use one machine at a time. The unit should come with instructions on how to set up a pot.
 
Thanks for posting the link, Pad. Works like a charm. Just keep it free of metal dust and the Teco will do fine. I still love mine.

--nathan
 
Hello Tom

Using a pot for speed control should not be very difficult. All the VFD's on the market offer this feature. You will have to read the manual and look at the wiring diagrams. All of the manuals have a wiring diagram showing how to connect a pot. You will also have to change some of the settings, once, to make the VFD use the analog input as it's speed reference. The pot can then be mounted close to your grinder.

If you need, I can point you to some suppliers of suitable pots, knobs and hook-up wire. It will probably cost you less than $20-$25.

Your cheapest option is to go with a NEMA 1 rated VFD and install it in a metal box, away from the metal dust. It takes extra money to develop and manufacture the NEMA 4 enclosures.

Make sure you get one meant for single-phase input or you will have to derate the drive to 57% of it's nominal rating.

Most of the VFD's are pretty much the same now when you open them up and look at the part in them. The Teco and Yaskawa are pretty good brands. I see Hitachi VFD's at www.driveswarehouse.com.

Phil
 
well I got tired of searching to try tp piece something together, so I pulled the trigger and ordered a combo from Rob. Thanks for all the input. Now I just need to figure out how I will configure my A-B box so I can control 2 motors from 1 VFD. Rob suggested just wiring the VFD to an outlet box and switch the plugs when I need to change which machine I am using.
 
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