Decided to take the 220V input VFD off this drill press for another project and put in a 2.2kw 110 VAC input one in it's place. Then it can go anywhere and plug in to a normal receptacle. This way is to spend more time and money to get to the same place as before, which I am quite good at.
I decided to move the power switch from the VFD's j-box back to the head of the press. It has a standard sized switch box already.
I had tossed the power cord, which didn't matter as it was undersized for the new motor, at 110V. Same for the original power switch. 2hp is roughly 1.5 kW so about 14 amps and needs at least 14 gauge. I found a 9', 14 ga whip at HD, and also bought a short length of 14/3 SOOW. The on/off switch I had bought is rated for 2 hp, 15 amps @ 110v. Hogged out the holes in the lid for the larger wiring. Used a clamp style grommet to strain relief the new power cord in the old hole. Used some larger p-clamps to secure the wiring.
I try to pre-wire everything on the bench and not wire things in place. This only works if you have a plan and know what you are trying to accomplish, and how to do it. Then you can just do it, and install it. It was difficult to get two ring terminals on the safety switch so I built in the provisions for the light into the VFD lead. Light is always on if main power is on.
Don't have to put these VFDs that require a box in a box. but they should be. Otherwise you have wiring like this. Yes it could be strain relieved and safer.
Found a suitable sized plastic j-box and started on modification to make it into a VFD vented enclosure.
Air inlet at the bottom below the fans
Slot at the top for exhaust
Decided to go with wiring out the back instead of the bottom. I think it worked out better.
Did a poor but quick job of making an air dam to force the exhaust air out of the enclosure after it leaves the heat sink. A piece of bent metal would be better looking.
Very carefully made a square hole for the control panel. There is no lip, only a slight taper. Have to sneak up on friction fit, get only one try.
Could have made a vent shroud for exhaust outlet. Motor wiring is still 18 ga, which is sufficient for 2hp/1.5kW @ 220 VAC, 7 amps.
I needed a switch box spacer to leave the wiring as-is under the belt lid. So I bought a pair of safety switch boxes and cut one up in the table saw to make a perfect spacer, complete with a lip on the front. Longer hardware and it worked out pretty decent. Switch is rated for 2hp/ 15 amps @ 110 VAC.
Programmed the VFD and tested it out. For whatever reason this VFD doesn't turn the motor below about 22 Hz, which is fine. Can go back and look into low freq torque boost feature, but for now set min freq to 25 and rock on.
Added and exhaust stack to the lid in place of the carburetor.
