MushCreek
Well-known member
I can't get 'true' 3 phase out here in the boonies. After trying out a VFD, I wasn't that impressed, so set about to get/build a rotary phase converter.
I was stalled until I picked up a 10 hp, 3 phase Baldor at auction- for $25! I sort of tested it on single phase, and it ran good. I even hooked it up temporarily, and it powered my mill just fine. I then invested in an American Rotary panel to operate the whole thing.
This week, I hooked it all up, and it works great. The best thing is that the mill will now instant reverse, important when you're power tapping. The VFD was very slow by comparison. The mill feels like it's running on true 3 phase. The worst part of the job was stringing wire across the shop to where the machines are. I put the RPC panel right next to the breaker panel, as it takes big (#6 AWG) wire to feed the panel. I then ran a single 30A circuit over to the mill. I'll put a couple other drops in as needed. I was going to wire a 3 phase panel, but really don't think I'll ever need it. At my age and ambition, I don't see running multiple machines anyhow.
The American Rotary unit seems to be well built, with a battery of beer can-sized capacitors to start and balance the load. It sticks out quite a ways, and can't really be recessed into the wall. I did recess it about 2". All of the K/O's are in the bottom. My wiring is all overhead, so I wish there were K/O's in the top, but then they'd be in the way of the caps. I added a circuit breaker to the DIN 35 rail in the cabinet (at the bottom). I picked one up cheap on ebay; a lot cheaper than buying a 3 ph panel and breakers.
The unit runs great. The 10 hp idler is quiet, although it is louder when there's no load. Apparently, additional 3 ph motors smooth things out when running. You push the 'Start' button, the idler kicks on, and you're good to go.
In the pics, I have the idler stuffed into a corner where the spinning shaft won't bother anyone other than the spiders. For drops, I have 10/4 SO cord with twist-lock plugs on them. I just dropped one for now; eventually, there will be 3 or 4. These are much cheaper on ebay. Places like Home Depot want a LOT of money for them!
I was stalled until I picked up a 10 hp, 3 phase Baldor at auction- for $25! I sort of tested it on single phase, and it ran good. I even hooked it up temporarily, and it powered my mill just fine. I then invested in an American Rotary panel to operate the whole thing.
This week, I hooked it all up, and it works great. The best thing is that the mill will now instant reverse, important when you're power tapping. The VFD was very slow by comparison. The mill feels like it's running on true 3 phase. The worst part of the job was stringing wire across the shop to where the machines are. I put the RPC panel right next to the breaker panel, as it takes big (#6 AWG) wire to feed the panel. I then ran a single 30A circuit over to the mill. I'll put a couple other drops in as needed. I was going to wire a 3 phase panel, but really don't think I'll ever need it. At my age and ambition, I don't see running multiple machines anyhow.
The American Rotary unit seems to be well built, with a battery of beer can-sized capacitors to start and balance the load. It sticks out quite a ways, and can't really be recessed into the wall. I did recess it about 2". All of the K/O's are in the bottom. My wiring is all overhead, so I wish there were K/O's in the top, but then they'd be in the way of the caps. I added a circuit breaker to the DIN 35 rail in the cabinet (at the bottom). I picked one up cheap on ebay; a lot cheaper than buying a 3 ph panel and breakers.
The unit runs great. The 10 hp idler is quiet, although it is louder when there's no load. Apparently, additional 3 ph motors smooth things out when running. You push the 'Start' button, the idler kicks on, and you're good to go.
In the pics, I have the idler stuffed into a corner where the spinning shaft won't bother anyone other than the spiders. For drops, I have 10/4 SO cord with twist-lock plugs on them. I just dropped one for now; eventually, there will be 3 or 4. These are much cheaper on ebay. Places like Home Depot want a LOT of money for them!
