1961 10EE Sabina VS VFD drive

[Eljefe]

Hi,In the process of bring this 10EE back to life..I have had this in storage for many years. Picked it up at a gov auction..I just got it pulled out and started getting it cleaned up. It has had a Sabina drive conversion at some point. I am having some trouble getting power to the drive.. After talking to Sabina I don’t think it will be an option in having them rebuild or service.. Very pricey to say the least….. I was going to at least check the phase converter to see if it has power going out.before I give up... I verified power in, but its really hard to get too see tag.. Ive spoke to a couple people who suggested converting it over to a VFD drive. I guess before I tear into it, I thought I would ask if anyone on here has done one of these swaps before and could give some recommendations on what VFD to use and insight. Thanks

 

[Eljefe]

Thermite, I was under the impression that the conversion VFD would have 240v 3ph in and DC out. I really don’t have much confidence in the Sabina working , so leaning to the easiest way to get it working with the DC motor.

 

[Eljefe]

Thanks! A lot of good info there. I’m with you on keeping the DC motor.. I didn’t want to change that out if I didn’t need to..Do you have a dc controller spec out by chance for one of these..

 

[Eljefe]

Thanks for the info..This should keep me busy for a little bit.. Reading through one of the treads.. would you recommend a 32 over the 16? Looking around for a used seems like there are a few out there, but mostly in China.. Not a big fan of ordering anything from over there..

 

[Don's Engine]

You can fiddle around with old technology on that 10EE, but then the 10EE will be your hobby. I upgraded my 10EE for under 500 bucks. 7.5 AC (USA Made) motor, 10 HP VFD, Braking resistor and 5000 ohm pot, and I'm in business. Simplified the entire drive system, more than enough power to do what the 10EE is expected to do, Quieter, Cheaper all the way around, Dead reliable, I can plug into my 250 AC household current, the VFD converts it to three phase and I'm humming away. VFD's are so damn cheap now, that if it torques up, just throw it away and buy another. If you stick with the old DC system which I admire, the same way I admire old steam locomotives, You'll spend more keeping it going than if you had to replace a VFD every other week for a year. You got to ask yourself. Am I working for the machine, or is it working for me? Don.... the lambasted of PM

 

[Eljefe]

Here are a few photos of what I’m working with.

 

[Eljefe]

This red tag is on the frame, it looks to be the same as motor..These photos look much better before I up load.. Is there a better way to get a quality photo on here? Thanks

 

[Eljefe]

Thermite
I tried to up load a few different ways with no luck. I tried to email and they were the same. I emailed a message, if you reply I can try to send some photos.. I’m not sure how the other guys on here are loading there photos with them looking good.. Not one of my strong points..LOL

 

[charlieman22]

Eljefe,
Assume you've seen my thread.
I have a Sabina 460 like yours - and am running it off house 220V power.
Has worked well for me - though my RPC is probably well undersized at only 5HP.
Would likely be wiser to use larger.
Thread here - with wiring diagram and components on last two pages.

Resurrecting 1960 10EE with 460V Sabina drive

Think I solved it Lets try these: *Edit - adding clearer image of name plate. Surprisingly - it is only a 5HP RPC.

www.practicalmachinist.com

Posting pics: here is the reader's digest.
1. Click on your user name > opt for "your content" >scroll down 1/2 page to "Media" and click on that > will give you options to create an album. > get an album created and upload your pictures.
2. Once your album is created, now go back and click on your user name top rt corner, and opt for "your content". FROM THIS PAGE - where you will see your recently uploaded pictures - click on one of them that you want to post.
3. Scroll all the way down - you will see a set of boxes from where you can copy the "BB code". Copy it and paste it in your thread (have your thread open in a different tab).

Images will post full scale nicely.
Here is an example, posted from my album (which I titled "full size") and use for uploads.

 

[charlieman22]

Eljefe - did you decide to scrap your Sabina controls for something more modern in the end?
If yes - perhaps you would be willing to sell them if you still have it.
I could use & hold as back up components for mine...

If you are still using them - I was able to get my hands on this:
It's the original user's manual.
Might be of some use to you.
Attached see below.