VFDs

S

ShadowsHamon

Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
40
I noticed that VFDs are becoming pretty popular with knife makers and I wanted to share a source I have found. I have not seen anyone bring this company up but I'm sure someone has at some point.

AutomationDirect.com

I have used this company for many things including several VFDs. I have used several of their VFDs in industrial applications running them "pretty hard" for about 3 years now. I have been very happy with all of them. They are really easy to use and program. I have used a couple other brands and I find these to be the most user friendly. On top of the flawless service they have given me, Automation Direct has stellar customer service and technical support. I have called their technical support a couple times and have always talked with a very knowledgable person that quickly answered my question with ease. I have been very impressed with the customer service and technical support. They also ship really fast. They are in GA and I'm in Iowa and I usually get my orders in 2-3 days. If all that does not quite sound good enough, you will also like the fact that I have not found a better price on VFDs. They list prices on the website (no quoting BS) and if you have a less expensive source of equivalently rated units, please share.

I have not affiliation with them in any way, I just like their stuff and thought I would share my experience.

If you have tried these VFDs or anything from Automation Direct that was crap, please share. The only issue I have ever had with anything from them is a couple pneumatic push-lock fittings that leaked fresh out of the package. But once again, they are the best price I have found and I have probably bought a couple thousand of those fittings in different configurations and have only had a couple that had a problem.
 
Hmm, I find that Factorymation.com is still cheaper than that for the TECO drives. I can get a 1/3 phase input, 3 hp 3phase output TECO FM50 there for just under $200. Automation direct wants $310 for a comparable drive.

Factorymation has good customer service, too. They replaced a VFD for me once.

I'm happy for you that you've found a supplier you like, I know I like that too and I tend to stick with 'em once I find 'em.
 
When you compare keep in mind that vfd is a broad term. There are many types and they all allow to change the speed of a motor.


Pablo
 
Salem Straub said:
Hmm, I find that Factorymation.com is still cheaper than that for the TECO drives. I can get a 1/3 phase input, 3 hp 3phase output TECO FM50 there for just under $200. Automation direct wants $310 for a comparable drive.

Factorymation has good customer service, too. They replaced a VFD for me once.

I'm happy for you that you've found a supplier you like, I know I like that too and I tend to stick with 'em once I find 'em.
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I made this thread. That place has great prices. I don't see an adjustment pot on the TECO drive in that size but I bet it's not much to add one and being over $100 cheaper...

One thing to keep in mind with doing 1 phase input an larger motors is that you will probably not get a full 3hp out of that motor with a 1 phase input. So might be worth going down to 2hp and save your self some money if your only going to do single phase. I believe a 3hp will draw over 15A on the single phase side. If your on a 20A circuit maybe it's not a problem? This goes with all VFDs. I am no expert on this and I could be wrong. Maybe someone with more knowledge of this can comment. I was thinking I read somewhere on this forum that it's not worth going past 1.5hp on a single phase input? Once again, I could be wrong.

Thanks for posting and let us know if you ever have problems with them. That really is a great price and if they work good, that would be a great source.
 
PEU said:
When you compare keep in mind that vfd is a broad term. There are many types and they all allow to change the speed of a motor.


Pablo
Click to expand...

Your absolutely correct. I think for the most part, what "we" are looking for in an AC drive is simply to control the speed of the motor in a linear way. Most drives are capable of an array of programing that most people here will not use or ever need. I personally don't understand why there is not a more simple AC motor speed controler available, you know, no programing just really basic linear speed control. Maybe there is such a thing and I'm not aware. If someone knows of a really simple inexpensive motor speed controller, please share.

Maybe something like this would work? Can anyone comment on this?

http://www.amazon.com/KBWC-115K-H90...UTF8&qid=1427395925&sr=1-1&keywords=KBWC-115k
 
The fan controller gives no usable low-speed torque. Works fine for fans because they follow the "fan laws" and have a quadratic torque curve.

If you turn a fan down to half speed, it generates half the flow, one quarter the pressure and absorbs one eighth the power.

It only needs a quarter of the torque at half speed.

Pretty much every application we have needs a decent amount of torque at all speeds.
 
I get very good horsepower out of my VFD at 220V single phase, it powers three 3 hp. machines- power hammer, lathe, and grinder. The grinder in particular is impossible to stall manually, even with the platen and a dull belt on a 2" wide blade- definitely getting more than 2 hp out of that.
I think you may be thinking of 110/120V single phase, in terms of not good for above 1.5 hp.
 
I will vouch for Automation Direct. I have not used them for Variable Freqeuncy Drives, but years ago they had the most versatile Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) and Computer Automated Control Software for the best cost, by far. All of their products were of utmost quality. I suspect that they still are.

I find my motor drives on Ebay now. It takes some patience and knowledge, but you can purchase drives and motors there at fraction of the retail price, if you know what your looking for.

Mike L.
 
Salem Straub said:
I get very good horsepower out of my VFD at 220V single phase, it powers three 3 hp. machines- power hammer, lathe, and grinder. The grinder in particular is impossible to stall manually, even with the platen and a dull belt on a 2" wide blade- definitely getting more than 2 hp out of that.
I think you may be thinking of 110/120V single phase, in terms of not good for above 1.5 hp.
Click to expand...

Yes I was talking about 115v single phase.

My intension of this thread was not to say one is better than another but to bring some sources together to help people find the most inexpensive unit that fits their needs. Some good responses. Thanks guys.
 
Bought mine from ATO, very good prices in CAD$ cost me 245$ with free shipping. It is not protected against dust though, I just had to build an enclosure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top