Rotary Phase Converter

[HAP]

I needed to upgrade my 3 phase power to make my new to me hoist happy. The hoist brake/clutch does not like power from VFD which does not provide true AC output, so it made the clutch chatter for a few seconds before the hoist motor operation.
I decided on a Phoenix Converter as they had a voltage display feature. All of my other 3Ph equipment is working well: Hyd Press Elec Pump, Torit Dust Extractor Unit, P&H Motorized Trolley Hoist.
BTW, the hoist beam has support legs that are installed during hoisting ops.

Thanks again to a GJ member for the great deal on a high quality hoist which replaced an old 1960 1Ph Yale.

R,
HAP

 

[cgrutt]

Nice!

I'm in process of building an RPC myself.

What HP is your idler?

Have you measured voltage drop across the three output terminals (L1-L2, L2-L3 & L1-L3)? Ideally they should all be about the same voltage while under running load. You may be able to fine tune (aka "balance") your set up with some additional caps if voltages are not reasonably close to each other.

 

[larry_g]

Most control circuits are run across only one or two phases of the incoming power on a three phase machine. Make sure that your controls are not run off the generated leg as it tends to droop during startup and will give you the symptoms described in the chattering clutch brake. I had the same problems with my big mill until I got the controls off the generated leg.

I realize that the new converter solved your problem but I'm adding the above so others may know and be able to trouble shoot their similar problems.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[HAP]

I got the 3Hp idler.
Thanks for the info on the control hook up details. I never would have looked at that...

 

[matt_i]

Had the exact same problem with a Harrington 3phase hoist & powered trolley. Exact solution as Larry mentions. On a RPC the generated leg is pretty much garbage as far as current flow, and the voltages will never remain the same under varying loads. A VFD is only good hooked directly to a motor with nothing else in between (referencing the power side).

 

[Strouty]

You can "balance" the legs of a RPC, not sure if that would solve the issues you guys are discussing. I know mine has a slight variation on the third leg it creates, but I have not seen any issues from it. Of course I have not had it hooked up for a long time so there could be something I am forgetting.

 

[larry_g]

You can "balance" the legs of a RPC, not sure if that would solve the issues you guys are discussing.

You can balance a converter to give a balanced voltage to a steady load. The problem here is that on startup the inrush current overloads the generated leg and the voltage on that leg drops quite a bit for the duration of the inrush load. If the voltage stays low then it will drop out any relays it may be powering. Once the load comes up to speed and the inrush is over then the generated leg comes back into line, voltage wise.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have had a few really good suggestions for an electronic phase converter. I am thinking I should buy an American Rotary Phase Converter. Will this will solve my situation with a 3 phase motor and motor starter on a Rockwell grinder I bought. I often turn down good deals on three phase machines because I do not have the correct power supply.
I am thinking I should buy an American Rotary 10 HP. I am thinking this might be adequate for anything I might get into.
Can anyone give me some advice.

 

[HAP]

Deff go rotary...

 

[isb cornbinder]

I watched sme You Tube videos on the ARC and I am impressed.

 

[dagofast]

I have had a few really good suggestions for an electronic phase converter. I am thinking I should buy an American Rotary Phase Converter. Will this will solve my situation with a 3 phase motor and motor starter on a Rockwell grinder I bought. I often turn down good deals on three phase machines because I do not have the correct power supply.
I am thinking I should buy an American Rotary 10 HP. I am thinking this might be adequate for anything I might get into.
Can anyone give me some advice.

I have an American Rotary ADX 10 HP. It runs a 5 HP lathe, a 1 HP Bridgeport mill and a 2 HP cutoff saw. Sometime 2 at a time but usually just 1 at a time. It's a great product. Completely trouble free.

It's powered from a 2 pole breaker in my single phase panel. It feeds a small 3 phase panel with each machine getting it's own 3 pole breaker.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Perfect. This is what I was wanting to hear. Thanks

 

[My Old Tools]

I've had an old 10hp Phasematic for years. I used to worry about balancing the phases and such. Now I just run it. I have a dozen 3 phase machines from 1905 to modern. None of them complain about the power. I make sure the magnetic controls are on the 2 legs that come from the mains. That's about it. I run it off a 220 breaker and feed a 3 phase panel. I ran 3 phase around the shop in conduit along with 230 and 115, so every plug drop has all 3. 20 amp 3 phase will run any of my machines or multiples of most of them. One or two breakers can run all the machines that way. I use 20 amp twist lock receptacles.

 

[Norcal]

I needed to upgrade my 3 phase power to make my new to me hoist happy. The hoist brake/clutch does not like power from VFD which does not provide true AC output, so it made the clutch chatter for a few seconds before the hoist motor operation.
I decided on a Phoenix Converter as they had a voltage display feature. All of my other 3Ph equipment is working well: Hyd Press Elec Pump, Torit Dust Extractor Unit, P&H Motorized Trolley Hoist.
BTW, the hoist beam has support legs that are installed during hoisting ops.

Thanks again to a GJ member for the great deal on a high quality hoist which replaced an old 1960 1Ph Yale.

R,
HAP

On the wiring, you have done a couple of things prohibited by the NEC, 1) used a white conductor for a hot leg*, 2) paralleled conductors smaller then 1/0, and the terminal block may or may not be rated for 2 conductors.

* A white colored conductor may be used for a hot if it is part of a cable assembly and not individual conductors in conduit, and is reidentified in a approved manner.