Convert motor or use phase converter?

K

Keithw

Plastic

Joined

Mar 26, 2017

• Sep 10, 2017

• #1

I have a Southbend 10K lathe I recently acquired. It came with a 3 phase 3/4 HP motor. I am a hobbyist in my home shop. Should I convert the motor to a single phase or go with a phase converter?

If I change the motor what would I need to have comperable performance to the original motor?

If I go with a phase converter, what type, brand, etc do I need? Would I need to do any attic/electrical upgredes from the panel in the shop?

Thanks for any advice.
Keith

 

E

Erich

Hot Rolled

Joined

Apr 4, 2017

Location

Poway, CA (from Location field)

• Sep 10, 2017

• #2

The new school way is to buy a Variable Frequency Device (VFD). It runs on 230 single phase and will drive a 3 phase motor at variable speeds.

That said, I have a heavy 10 that I run off a static converter. I can take .1 inch depth of cuts in steel with chips coming off blue and the motor doesn't complain a bit. I don't need any more power than that.

 

K

Keithw

Plastic

Joined

Mar 26, 2017

• Sep 10, 2017

• #3

Erich,
Thanks. Any idea on pricing for those?

 

C

crrmeyer

Stainless

Joined

Nov 10, 2006

Location

Southern California

• Sep 10, 2017

• #4

You can also get VFD'S that use 120vac input to make 230vac 3 phase power. These are available up to 1hp rating. The variable speed aspect is nice compared to a rotary phase converter.

 

L

Lakeside53

Stainless

Joined

Sep 28, 2007

Location

Woodinville, WA

• Sep 10, 2017

• #5

Slap this on and make chips.

Teco-Westinghouse, L51-11-H1, 1 HP, Variable Frequency Drive 115 Volt, 1 Phase Input, IP2, at D

 

M

Mike C.

Diamond

Joined

Nov 25, 2004

Location

Birmingham, AL

• Sep 10, 2017

• #6

You can easily build your own phase converter by scrounging a 3-5hp 3ph motor and going to the converter section of this forum. Cost will be the same or less than a VFD or replacing the motor with single phase. If you never intend on getting any more three phase machinery, VFD is a consideration, but you have to get a new VFD for every machine and every motor on that machine. I have machines with as many as three motors running at once (spindle and two feed motors). I have a 5hp home made converter and it runs any of the nine 3ph machines in my shop with a total of fourteen motors, one of which is a SB10L. I'd have a couple of grand tied up in VFDs to run all that and the controls would be very complicated. As it is, I just fire up the converter and run them like they were designed.

 

K

kensmachine

Cast Iron

Joined

Oct 17, 2012

Location

woodland wa

• Sep 10, 2017

• #7

go with the VFD. I know lots of people running VFD's on all the machines in there shop.
Rotary Convert cost free to $1000's How big do does one need or want + side you can run a hole shop off one converter. some here can cobble one together for almost nothing
Static converters $100-200 + side 1 ease to wire no other + side at the price why go there.
VFD's $150 -1000's + side you get single phase 110 or 220 in 3 phase out Variable speed,braking, on a VFD of the size you need. cost $150-$300. three thing you need to know to buy an VFD is motor HP and motor amps and input voltage Ken

 

Rudd

Stainless

Joined

Jul 30, 2003

Location

savannah, jaw-ja

• Sep 10, 2017

• #8

Rotaries are much more efficient with multiple motors running off them. Go with the VFD for one motor. The speed control is an added bonus - still need to shift belts, but not as much and you can fine tune speeds. Plus 3 phase motor will improve surface finish.

 

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Adwcali

Aluminum

Joined

Apr 12, 2015

Location

Central Coast

• Sep 10, 2017

• #9

If you ever plan on more than one 3 phase machine ( such as a mill) then go with a rotary. Hunt down a decent used motor for an idler then contact Jim at a PhaseCraft for one of his panels. PhaseCraft is a PM member and does good work.

 

rons

Diamond

Joined

Mar 5, 2009

Location

California, USA

• Sep 10, 2017

• #10

Whatever route you choose (VFD or Phase Converter) you will be learning the device sooner or later. That is, when problems occur. The phase converter is easier to understand especially if you build it yourself. The VFD is will probably be a magic box to you, and if you buy a cheapo throw-away one then get ready for a ride.

It's better to know both and have both available for three phase operation. Don't change out the three phase 3/4 Hp for a single phase motor. Keep the SB stock.

 

B

billtown

Plastic

Joined

Sep 10, 2017

• Sep 10, 2017

• #11

Exactly what I needed thanks!

New shop, new (old) clausing 4900 lathe. I actually have access to some sort of large phase converter, but for the little lathe, I opted for variable drive, and simplicity on the wiring. I appreciate the direct link, because I was actually having trouble finding the right teco :/ I assumed there was one that could do 230v output with 110v input, but the ones I found were 400hz and a carrier that I thought would make noise. Either way, thanks for weighing in. I just want to make chips

-=Bill

 

Rudd

Stainless

Joined

Jul 30, 2003

Location

savannah, jaw-ja

• Sep 10, 2017

• #12

I've owned both Teco and Hitachi, I found the Hitachi easier to customize and run remotely. If you are just going to plug it in and use the controls on the device, it doesn't matter. On my vert mill, the VFD lives in a box up on the wall with a window so I can see the readout, but the controls incl. the emergency stop are on the mill.

 

K

Keithw

Plastic

Joined

Mar 26, 2017

• Sep 11, 2017

• #13

Thanks all very helpful, esceially the link about the VFD.

Keith