110 to 220 converter attempt

[jjrho]

hi, got a benpak hd9 with 220 motor; their usual set up….i didn't have the garage set up with 220 so…. i ordered a 110 to 220 converter from granger for $250 or so…. it didn't have the usual 220V receptacle… had some odd european plug so…. i just ended up putting a 220 in BUT….

Q is… could i have used this if i really needed to ?
the 220 motor fla was about 12amps….so let's say using some 2500W….

the converter i got said 3000W capable…..

it's good for a single phase motor supposedly….

the issue is…if you are using 110 out to do this, u are drawing 25A or so…any these wall outlets are probably 15A rated… so, the whole thing doesn't make sense….

i didn't get to try it 'cause after i ordered and my electrician was scratching his head about the plug….i had em call grainger and their tech . guy said.."no you can't use it for that…."….

what's your comments re: what I wanted to do initially ?

jjrho

 

[Norcal]

It's not going to work just because it would overtax any 15 0r 20 ampere 120 volt branch circuit, if it was a 6A, 230V load it could work, and 110 and 220 volt are both foreign voltages that have not been used in many decades in the USA, they use a transformer on UK building sites that steps down 240V, 50 Hz, to 110V, each leg is 55V.

 

[volleyball]

You did the right thing. You need to have 220,230,221, whatever you call US service with 2 hot legs.
I just hope you future proofed it a bit and ran a larger wire for when you add another 221v equipment.

 

[Rookie2]

Do you have a direct feed with romex, or can you make it one ? 12 gauge romex is 300v rated ,just have your "electrician" install a 2pole breaker in your panel. 220-230-240v does not matter .

 

[joe_padavano]

I'm not familiar with the specific Grainger adapter, but if you have two 110 circuits of the correct amperage that come off opposite legs of your panel, these adapters connect them to provide 220.

 

[redmondjp]

Make an extension cord with 12 ga wire coming off of your dryer outlet. That's how I've been running the 240V compressor in my garage for the past 15 years (I have a gas dryer now).

The only other way I would recommend, if you really don't have 240V available, would be to use a 120/240V transformer.

 

[jgorm]

The lift is 220 because it requires too many amps for a typical 110v outlet. no converter is going to fix that. 20a at 220 is 40a at 110. As mentioned, you could wire the neutral wire to the hot on the opposite leg and supply 220v on the same wire, but make sure that it only goes to that outlet!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

One thing NO ONE mentioned is the fact that motors have in-rush currents which can be 4x-8x the FLC/FLA.

So while your running watts is ~2900watts, the in rush currents would be 11,000+ watts. That converter ISNT gonna be able to handle the in rush/peak load.

Not to mention, its rated for 50hz supply @ 110v and 220v! US voltage is 120v/240v 60hz supply.

This is just the reason why i cant stand it when people say they have 110v or 220v WITH NO LOCATION IN THEIR PROFILE. We have no idea where theyre located but those voltages are european voltages!!

Ok rant over!!