Anyone got any actual data?
"Actual data" . or lack-thereof, is part of the reason some of us are so vehemently opposed to the critters. Basically, it just cannot be had.
There are multiple, parallel channels to market, multiple housings, brandings, and manuals.
There are, originals, their copies, suspected QC fail component parts, QC fail sub-systems, and QC-fail entire finished units. Or worse - QC-PASS - but to silly sloppy standards.
That broad menagerie are then leaked out of many different channels in China into far more channels in the US and elsewhere.
IOW - there is no consistent set of 'innards', makers, wholesalers, distributors, or retailers, and no practical manner to fix "this is wot it is", let alone whom to praise or whom to blame.
"Dice Roll' in short, and with any of them torn down and LOOKED INTO showing marginal design, too many shortcuts, and too much variability in assembly that is sloppy on a good day and actually scary on a bad one.
Despite which - as with those cheap knock-offs of a Bic lighter on the counter at the convenience store - most of them DO work right out of the box. Some DOA or early-fail have even been diagnosed and repaired by their owners. A few have been damaged by carelessness and ALSO repaired by owners
Electrons don't really give a damn about cosmetics, after all. A too-damned-thin PCB trace with a bridge wire buried in enough solder works as well as the thicker PCB cladding or separate tin-clad sheet copper overlay strap that SHOULD have been there.
They look like a VFD. They work more often than not. "Fast" foods can be like that as well. I don't recall a McDonald's alleged-burger ever actually giving me the s***ts, either.
But I sure do work hard to be able to cook at home or take my meals-out in better places with better food.
Same again when better-documented, warranted, and TRACEABLE VFD are in the market for not really a great deal more money.
I didn't choose to put the only Huanyang I ever bought back together after dissecting it. Too scary.
I bought a NEW Weg 2 HP for El Cheapo light motor testing, known backtrail, reputable dealer, Warranty I could trust, manual in genuine English (not that it matters. I can read Brazilian Portuguese. Or technical German).
Also a used Schneider Altivar 71 10 HP for the hard stuff. Built in Indohooliga, but beautiful build quality inside and seriously good component selection that old Altivar 71 has.
Take whatever risk/reward chances on VFD YOU are comfortable with.
You could get lucky.. Or not.
Ether way, you won't really save a lot of money over a Teco, Weg, Hitachi..or whatever other major brand is pricing sharply in any given month.
That's the other part that sets me off. There is such a
very small gain - for taking the risk ANYWAY. Sometimes the 'bargain' Huanyang or clone-of is actually MORE expensive than the better-trusted brand.
Go figure.
Bill
