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404

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Aug 23, 2014
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so since it seems everyone says i should switch the motor instead of try a phase converter where do you guys get your motors oher then used.

I did not/would not say that.

I say build a rotary phase converter for the compressor.. Unless you have vast sums of money you want to spend on another motor. Or really vast sums to spend on a VFD

Regards,
404
 

sberry

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I can or could and don't. Just don't want the extra layer of equipment. As a side question,,, I always want to know,, most or many of these garages are modest, what would one use a 7 1/2 grinder for?
 
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sberry

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You can work around the poco on occasion, if my effort was sincere I would want line power if it was possible, I understand the conversions for specialty stuff, I understand it as a hobby. It sounds like the welder you have works, and if its a plan to get or switch some stuff because one would like to have it and its cheaper this becomes a losing game.
You can change motors buut that's another foot down a different direction, if my goal was to get this stuff cause I needed to use it to get work done buy a running comp and plug it in, I see 1 hp grinders for 50$ and no body that ever bought a new Ironman 230 has thought they lost a nickel.

If you are in a biz where time is money in fabrication we get back to the cost of it all again but maintenance work can normally be done from 100A service. That's why all that old iron is cheap, hard to deal with it, need another layer of cords and plugs, another panel. For some this isn't a problem, some it becomes an end unto itself.
Its great to have all the tools but kind of pointless if there is no work for it.
 

sberry

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I got a lot of shate, only got one machine and don't really even use it that requires larger than a 10 wire and 50A service.

Personally any time I can trade away from all that old stuff I do. I have done a couple things where I should have ran and bought a used machine that was 3 ph but that's another story. Bought my Spec 2050 thinking I would use the auto electric but have never moved it from its home port which is 240 single rural.
I not only don't want that grinder but have been coveting a new battery one. I have a Miller Maxstar I would dearly loved to have earlier in my career.
 
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A_Pmech

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May 8, 2007
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Location
IL
Yes! Where? How much? I've got a 25hp Kaeser rotary screw compressor I'd love to run off single phase 220V.

jack vines

Option 1, a "phase converter" drive:

http://driveswarehouse.com/p-2153-pc1-250.aspx

Option 2 is a 50 HP 3-phase drive set up to run single phase input, such as:

http://driveswarehouse.com/p-2751-sj700b-370hfuf.aspx

Hitachi has a short paper on using their 3-phase drives with single-phase input:

http://www.hitachi-america.us/suppo.../AN032404-1_Rev_A_Sizing_for_Single-Phase.pdf
 
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bcradio

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Jan 30, 2012
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6,017
Location
New Mexico
So I have 220v(single phase), and 110v in the shop. And I've been eyeing some 3 phase stuff like air compressor ' s in the 7 - 10 hp range. Some used mills and sturdy wheel grinders. Welders etc.

So my question is where do you guys find good prices on these phase converters and what should I look for when getting one.

Next on the air compressor what would be more cost effective replace the 3 phase motor with a single phase or a phase converter?

If you live in Murica, you have 120v/240v.
 
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jlenander

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Aug 1, 2006
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Queen Creek, AZ
Nearly 50 posts and nobody has mentioned Phase Perfect? Expensive, but you get better than service specs 3 phase power that will run multiple machines simultaneously.
Lots of guys happily running picky CNC machines out of a residential garage.
The best thing is once you've got one, you can't stop yourself from finding and buying really cheap 3 phase machines!
It took me years of looking, but I found a used 20hp for ~2000$....One of my best "tools".
 

Norcal

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13,752
Single phase input VFD's do not have to be derated, but 3 phase input ones need to be derated 50%, which means for a 5 HP motor a 10 HP drive is needed, and this assumes the phase loss protection can be disabled.

If anyone is contemplating buying a ready made kit, I would recommend avoiding Phoenix Phase converters.
 

930dreamer

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Amarillo,TX and Stinnett,TX
Nearly 50 posts and nobody has mentioned Phase Perfect? Expensive, but you get better than service specs 3 phase power that will run multiple machines simultaneously.
Lots of guys happily running picky CNC machines out of a residential garage.
The best thing is once you've got one, you can't stop yourself from finding and buying really cheap 3 phase machines!
It took me years of looking, but I found a used 20hp for ~2000$....One of my best "tools".

A 10hp starts at $3300, I'd try a home built one first.:thumbup:
 

rancherbill

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Oct 18, 2007
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Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
If you are looking to buy a compressor, I would not go 3ph knowing I would also need a phase converter. You're going to need more power to run both the phase converter and compressor vs just running the compressor off 240vac single phase.

It just ends up adding more complexity than needed.

+1

It will cost a bundle in electricity to have the converter running all the time just in case the compressor comes on.
 
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