vfd conversion question

[timos-]

I finally purchased a VFD to go with my 1.5 hp leeson. Right now I have the motor mounted under bench with an A belt driving the 3 step pulley. Now a days I use all three of the step pulleys speeds pretty frequently but have been having terrible efficiency with my belts.

The stickys and the first couple pages of links that came up in the custom search have answered most of my questions but I still have one. IS there any benefit to retain the A belt when using the VFD? IS direct drive inherently better? I am a little worried about converting to direct drive incase there is slight misalignment I wouldnt want to wear out my motor prematurely. I have been running it the way it is without issue for 4 years now.

 

[Busto]

Direct drive by all means...You're eliminating 1. Belt 2. Any Bearings 3. Pulleys...each of those items are destined to failure at some point. Direct drive = Motor+Drive Wheel. I found that direct has little to NO harmonic vibration. As we have seen in recent years with new grinder manufacturers the Better Models are all direct drive and for a reason eliminate critical failure/maintenance items.

I ran pulley system with a VFD for about 6 months then switched over to direct drive and no looking back. I have since converted all 3 of my belt grinders to direct drive!

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

What Busto said, plus you will have an increase in power at the belt not having the extra pulleys, belt and shafts.

 

[timos-]

thanks guys, thats what i was thinking but just want to make sure I am not missing anything, i cant handle a break down right now.