Phase converter question

[Broccoli1]

I need to get an idea of what a Phase converter set up would cost to run 30amp 240v 3-Phase motor.

Just a ball bark from anyone who has built one or purchased one.

Trying to help a friend get a handle on costs.


Thanks.

[MoonRise]

Static, rotary, or VFD?

Need full 3-phase power output? Or can 2/3 of the 3-phase motor still work?

A 7.5hp 1-phase 240V input to 3-phase 240V output VFD is ~$700, via quick google search

http://www.gohz.com/7-5-hp-vfd-singl...to-three-phase

No affiliation, no rating either for or against. Just a quick google find.

[Broccoli1]

I have no idea.

Pin Router
30amp 3-phase 240v

dats all I know.

[Oldendum]

30amp 240v 3-Phase motor isn't much info. A lot depends on the motor and the machine - how hard it starts. But I'd hazard a guess and say you'd want a 15 to 20 HP rotary converter or the equivalent. $1,200 - $1400. or more?

[Broccoli1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCMI-R8-PIN-...-/222127656659

Not this one. But I was able to go see it and that's when I noticed it has a 30amp 240v 3-phase plug on it. I couldn't get a look at the motor so I don't know its exact HP rating and there was no name plate on the frame.

So would ya say $700.00 minimum ?

[Oldendum]

Here's one that claims 6.6 HP. http://www.johngweber.com/jgw/routers/l1200.htm

[Steve from SoCal]

One thing to remember when doing load calc's, singe phase current will be 1.73 times the three phase number. So, the 240 single phase service to a 30 amp load will be 52 amps. That is about the limit on residential 200 amp service in DWP land without notification. An inverter may be a better choice if the inrush is high on the router but, no load spindle start probably OK.

[7A749]

Throw a static converter on it. Probably under $200. Sure, VFDs are nice, but the only thing you're doing is running a motor.

WNY converter on eBay sells everything you need and very reasonable. You can set up a rotary if he really wants one, but I've run plenty of stuff off static converters for over a decade and never had any issues with them.

IMHO of course

[Willie B]

I recently stumbled onto a used 12 year old 7.5 HP 240 volt rotary unit for $400. I've had my eye out 30 years looking for one used at an acceptable price. For specific one motor applications VFD (variable frequency drives) are a lower cost choice. Like a welder, VFDs take power from 1 or three phases, convert them to DC, and dump it all on a single DC buss. Then they make power you choose. Single phase, three phase, high or low voltage, at any frequency. Their limitations are temperature, air cleanliness, and humidity. Some require a PHD in computer science to program.

Willie

[mikecwik]

I would think he plug would not tell the tale. Need motor specifics.

[storeman]

Throw a static converter on it. Probably under $200. Sure, VFDs are nice, but the only thing you're doing is running a motor.

WNY converter on eBay sells everything you need and very reasonable. You can set up a rotary if he really wants one, but I've run plenty of stuff off static converters for over a decade and never had any issues with them.

IMHO of course

I'm running a 3 phase 30" throat band saw off one of his static converters. Cost about $50 IIRC.
Jerry

[forhire]

I have no idea.

Pin Router
30amp 3-phase 240v

dats all I know.

My guess would be no more that 7.5HP which three phase is typically about 22 amps and assuming the 125% rule would put it at 27.5 amps, thus the 30 amp plug is correct. Of course the name plate will tell the full story.

If you have a single machine I'd try the static converter as it will be the least expensive approach. Understand that you'll lose some HP but it may be ok on a pin router. The tire shop across the street use to run a compressor on a static converter which I would have thought was a recipe for disaster but they ran it for years.

A 7.5HP VFD will be spendy... you might troll ebay if you opt for that, but understand that not all VFD drives can support single phase input once you get over about 5HP. Check and double check the specs before bidding. The biggest advantage the VFD will offer is the ability to soft start which for heavy loads is preferred. If your utility charges demand due to high in-rush then soft start can save you a bundle if the motor stops and starts a lot.

Understand that an static or vfd drive will only run motor loads. If the pin router has three phase controls than you will have to either use an RPC or convert the control to single phase and use the static or vfd drive for the motor.

If you think that you'll be buying more 3 phase equipment then invest in an RPC for sure.

If your handy (and I know you are) and your not required to have a UL listed static converter then you can make one easy enough. A static convert is just a start cap and some run caps. A quick google search popped up a bunch like this:
http://www.bolis.com/amillar/electri...hase-converter

[Brand X]

Ed,
if I was a loaded as you...this..

http://www.phaseperfect.com/p/t/overview

[Steve from SoCal]

A pin router that draws 30 amps/240 volt is at least a 10 HP spindle, there is not a lot to a pin router. Regarding a rotary phase converter, 15HP is about the min your friend will need to start the machine. Forget about static converters, pin routers need all the power they can get. In another life I had several pin routers along with a couple Shoda 4 head CNC routers, my Shodas had20 HP spindles and needed every bit when cutting 1" MDF.

[mikecwik]

Call American Rotary.

[pat h]

Call American Rotary.

I highly recommend them also

[kazlx]

You really need to figure out what the horsepower is. I would look into Phase Craft on eBay. Myself and several friends have used his RPC panels, they are pretty much idiot proof. He sells you the control box for the correct size idler motor that you need, which is typically twice the size of the motor you need to start. I use a 15hp in my garage that runs all my 3 phase equipment. The panel was about $350 if I remember right and the 15hp motor was free. I got a blow up compressor for next to nothing, took the 15hp motor off of it and scrapped the tank and compressor portion (tank had been welded on and the compressor had a hole in the side of the block.).

Jim's an awesome guy and willing to help people out with any technical questions. I've talked to him quite a bit the last few years after buying my first 5hp panel from him.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-HP-manual...wAAOSwg3FUdNxh