3HP SHARP mill phase conversion

hey guys, i'm a young hot rod/chopper fabricator, with even less electrical experience. i've been on the forum now and then to learn a little bit about machinery, but this is my first time posting anything. i searched the forum a little bit for this, but didnt seem to find anything too specific to my situation. if you know of a thread that can help, please link me to it. thank you

so, i just got a 3HP Sharp knee-mill, when i had picked it up, i wasn't sure if it was single-phase or three-phase, the wiring was messed up coming out of the switch because of how it had been removed from the previous shop. The motor said 3-phase, but the previous owner could've sworn it was single phase.


heres what i'm working with:







heres the tag on the motor




heres the wires in the backside of the switch


heres the tag on the switch (the 'POWER REQUIREMENT' tag below has no info on it )


inside the switch


and finally, the wires coming out of the switch. three wires, coming out of the 4-wire cable..


so i think ive determined that its all setup for three-phase, right? the wires coming out of the switch is just missing one, like it had been broken or ripped out or something..


anyway, if it is in fact 3-phase, i'll need to figure out a phase converter situation.. heres what i've found so far, but i really don't know the first thing about all this..

PhazPak PR-3, 3 H.P. Phase converter full assembly - CSH Electric Motor Supply

HD 3 - 5 HP Static Phase Converter Mill Drill Saw MADE IN USA Single to three | eBay


are these good options? am i already on the wrong track?

thanks for the help!
-Greg

I run a BP on a static and have for years no issue. You will only have aprox 2/3 rated power with any static. Your second option's price scares me,must be all solid state to be that cheap.If you plan any other 3 phase tools a rotary converter system is the most practical cost wise.And non clutched lathes do NOT like static converters.

The static converter should be a last ditch choice.

Your situation is typical. A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) or Rotary Phase Converter (RPC) is what you need. There is enough information here to get you fully setup. In a lot of cases the same things have been discussed over and over again.

As with post 3 above I firmly believe you should stay away from static converters.
Over the years I have seen tons of statics removed and Rotary's installed in there place.
If you size a little on the larger side then you as you purchase other 3 phase equipment you will be good to go.

I am not a big fan of static converters. BUT.... I have seen a lot of them used on bridgeport style mills with good results. They do not seem to be as limited by the power issues as other machines.

A static on a 1Hp Bridgeport might be good enough. His motor plate says 3Hp. Might be good enough, might not. The individual has to ask "How far am I willing to go with all of this", and "How much money is this worth".

I neglected to mention a Electronic Phase Converter. Like a Phase Perfect. A few thousand bucks. (That's why I didn't mention it).

I've used the static type without problems so I can't fault the one I used... a Phase-a- matic like this.

Phase-A-Matic Phase Converter, Static, 3-5 HP PAM-6HD | Zoro.com

I've also used and like these better.

Phase-A-Matic Phase Converter, Rotary, 3 HP, 28-24V R-3 | Zoro.com

Finally a shameless plug, I just happen to have used R3 rotary for sale here on PM:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...or-sale-or-wanted/r3-phase-matic-sale-332842/