Phase Converters... Help

[Jim Johnstone]

What's the consensus on using a VFD on a machine with multiple motors? I have a machine in my garage with 4 motors in it, all powered by a single input that gets distributed in the machine's electrical cabinet.

Would that work fine if the VFD was sized for all the motors combined, and if I wasn't running the frequency up and down?

 

[larry_g]

So if I was using a rotary phase converter you can bypass using a single phase motor to spin the 3 phase one with capacitors and other stuff?

Did you follow the link that I gave you in post #5 here? It has the answers to your questions.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[joe_padavano]

Single phase on a mill or lathe = TERRIBLE idea.

Please elaborate. Other than higher current draw, what's the difference between running a mill on a 3 HP single phase or 3 HP three phase motor?

 

[454ragtop]

What's the consensus on using a VFD on a machine with multiple motors? I have a machine in my garage with 4 motors in it, all powered by a single input that gets distributed in the machine's electrical cabinet.

Would that work fine if the VFD was sized for all the motors combined, and if I wasn't running the frequency up and down?

Not recommended. 1 motor per VFD, with no switches between the motor or VFD. I put a VFD on a Van Norman #12 mill for the spindle, and swapped the 1/4HP feed motor for a single phase motor to complete the conversion to single phase.
HTH, Jim

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Not recommended. 1 motor per VFD, with no switches between the motor or VFD. I put a VFD on a Van Norman #12 mill for the spindle, and swapped the 1/4HP feed motor for a single phase motor to complete the conversion to single phase.
HTH, Jim

Sounds good, I will stick with a RPC for this machine then.