VFD issues

ISKski

ISKski

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Apr 11, 2011
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After a long hiatus I found a place to set up my grinder again. In the wall is a 6-50R outlet - I just replaced the plug end to match and I am getting power from the outlet - to the cord and all the way to the VFD (tested w voltage tester) but it doesn’t turn on - none of the lights come on and not sending signal to the motor. This is 2hp leeson 240v and a kb genesis VFD btw. Does anyone have any insight to how I can troubleshoot my issue? TIA
 

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manual says if it was left in storage for over a year plug it in, put it on stop mode and leave it for an hour to recharge the bus capacitors
 
Just to be sure, check these things:
1) Use a multi-meter to read 240V between the two hot terminals at the VFD. (L1 and L2)
2) Use the meter to read 120V between each hot leg and the ground wire of the cord at the VFD.
That should verify the receptacle, plug and power cord at the VFD are wired correct.

3) Turn the unit to RUN, then back to STOP (but not to OFF). Let sit overnight. Turn to OFF and then to RUN.
4) Repeat step 3 several times to assure the capacitors are charged.


5) If still not working, contact the manufacturer of the VFD for tech advice or have it serviced.
 
By voltage tester, are you talking about a non-contact voltage tester? Do you have a meter that you can verify actual voltage with? How comfortable/familiar with using a multi-meter are you?
Like Stacy said, with the unit plugged in and under power, you'll want to probe your L1 and L2 screws (black wire to white wire) and should read between 220 and 240 VAC.

Now probe L1 (black wire) to your GND (ground terminal) screw and you should read 110 to 120 VAC. Similarly, L2 (white wire) to GND (green wire) should read 110 to 120 VAC.
Similarly, you should also be getting 220 to 240 VAC when probing across L1A and L2A, and across L2A to L2B when the power switch is ON.

Out of curiosity, how old is your VFD and how long since it was last powered on?
 
Drew Riley Drew Riley thanks! By voltage tester I mean one of those sticks you hold up to something and it beeps if it’s hot (read voltage tester on the side).. I have a multimeter for measuring heat but I don’t have the right probes for testing electricity.. I will pick them up and test everything and try recharging the capacitor again if it all reads right.

Motor purchases brand new in 2020 and not run in maybe 2 years.
 
You need a real volt meter, you could be reading feed back thru the controls. I went to a guys house about 30 years ago on a no hot water complaint, when I pulled up there was water all over his driveway and in the street. He said he replaced both elements and both thermostats. Said he had 220 to everything but it wasn’t heating up. He had screw in fuses and both appeared good but ohming them out one was bad, so what he was seeing was 110 on both sides of the elements, thinking that was 220. It was 110 just back feeding thru the elements. I replaced the fuse and wa-la! His wife was sitting out there and man she started coming un-glued. No telling how many trips he made to the hardware store.
 
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