Rotary phase converters

[schurtjl]

Looking at installing a rotary phase converter in my shop so I can power the three phase ironworker I just purchased. This opens up my options for future equipment purchases as well. I received a recommendation from a member on here about a Phase Craft rotary converter, but found that the gentleman who made these retired in 2018. Through additional research, I found that American Rotary as well as Phase-A-Matic seem to have a good reputation. Phase-A-Matic appears to be a more compact design. In this more compact system, not sure where they fit the capacitors? I know there's some of you that have forgotten more than I'll ever know about these, so any recommendations? Zoro currently has 20% off through 3/13, which covers the Phase-A-Matic's as well. Or other quality USA manufactured systems I should be looking at? I have 200 amp 230 volt single phase supplying my shop, and multiple 50 amp welder plugs fed with 6/2 wire that I'll plug the rotary phase converter into. The only 3 phase equipment I currently have is the 5 hp Scotchman FI-51 Ironworker. It runs a 2500 psi hydraulic system. I attached a pic of the plate on the motor.

 

[dagofast]

I went with American Rotary. Their customer service was top notch before, during and after the sale. They are very knowledgeable, they build a great product and they stand behind it. That was enough for me.

 

[Jon_E]

I have a 10-hp American Rotary converter, bought to power a 5-hp Powermatic wood planer. I sold the planer, so the converter collects dust now. It's about 15 years old, but probably has less than 10 hours on it.

Would you have any interest in buying a (very gently) used converter? I'd have to figure out what I want to sell it for, and shipping cross-country wouldn't be cheap, but I'd like to get rid of it because I don't think I will ever use it again.

 

[schurtjl]

Possibly, depending on what size I end up needing, and what you would want for it. Like you said, shipping might be interesting. PM me some pics if you’d like, as well as the specifications, etc.

I have a 10-hp American Rotary converter, bought to power a 5-hp Powermatic wood planer. I sold the planer, so the converter collects dust now. It's about 15 years old, but probably has less than 10 hours on it.

Would you have any interest in buying a (very gently) used converter? I'd have to figure out what I want to sell it for, and shipping cross-country wouldn't be cheap, but I'd like to get rid of it because I don't think I will ever use it again.

 

[toplessHO]

thought about a VFD?

 

[schurtjl]

I did think about it, but long term for my shop I think the rotary phase converter would be my best option. Prefer to not have to buy a VFD for each piece of 3 phase equipment I may end up buying.

thought about a VFD?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought an American Rotary 10 horsepower Phase Converter. I talked to Keith Rucker of Vintage Machinery first, because he has an ARP converter.
The service, shipping and customer help has be above and beyond anything I expected.
I can recommend the AR without hesitation.
I mounted my ARPC on a pressure washer cart for mobility. Since I am in Canada, My ARPC came from Toews Power in Ontario,
Buy Made in USA

 

[matt_i]

Here's an 18 year old design you could wire yourself. You just need a donor motor and a start capacitor and some other circuit elements. The 3hp can be changed to 5hp or 10hp by virtue of a different start capacitor.

 

[quattro_sinko]

I've got a Ronk 7hp(?) that I bought used, and use it to turn a 5hp Blum Minipress. It does everything I ask of it. Having it wired in and running has me looking more seriously at other used 3ph tools.

 

[Brand X]

I run my 5hp/2hp (total motor start) on my ebay bought box.. Found a great 15hp motor for free. Puts me at $275.00 for a nice working, super quiet setup.. It punches way above what it should, and will run my 3 phase plasma cutters at full output. Plus my Multi-process welder, and New Lorch/Esab 220 AC/dc inverter. VFD are nice, but will not run any welding machines..

I also made my Cincinnati spindle motor part of the mix, by killing the 2 hp table motor.. Gives me even more juice if needed.. Have not found a need yet..

I just drove out to his place, and picked up the 15hp box.

http://www.cromanconverters.com/

 

[vpd66]

I'm another vote for building your own. 15 years ago I peaced together a 15 hp converter to run my 10hp lathe for under $100. I do have good connections at a salvage yard and most of my componants came from industrial roof top heating units. I find most commercially sold converters are over priced.

 

[Jon_E]

Possibly, depending on what size I end up needing, and what you would want for it. Like you said, shipping might be interesting. PM me some pics if you’d like, as well as the specifications, etc.

I'll send you some pictures over the weekend. Also will check on possible shipping costs.

 

[MushCreek]

I bought an AR panel and a used 10 hp idler motor. AR is great, and it works very well. As I'm always on a budget, this was the best route for me. I got lucky; picked up the 10 hp Baldor motor at auction for $25.

 

[Turbo442]

I have a 20 HP rotary phase converter in my shop for the last 5 years. I use it to power a Haas VF2 and a Mori 1250 manual lathe. My suggestion is to make sure you size it big enough to handle future growth and have a feed large enough to supply it. If your handy with electrical stuff you can build your own for sure but it’s really not going to save you much money in the end. Just pick an American Rotary setup that fits your needs and be done with it. My power company provides me fairly high input voltage on L1 and L2. It’s around 250v on each leg. The RPC will output about 270V unloaded on the third leg with out a load. Under load the third leg drops down to around 260V. Some more sensitive CNC machines might see this as a high line voltage error depending on how you configure them. My VF2 does not seem to care. I am using an American Rotary ADX panel and my own motor. It didn’t really save me much money in the end over using a complete package.


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[Brand X]

One thing about using your own motor, is you can get one that is exceptional in noise power output.. The third leg is adjustable, in unloaded, and loaded voltage. I would never see unloaded 270 volts with 242 volt input 3-4% voltage difference is my average loaded/unloaded.with many different type loads. I am guessing I saved over $1000.00 piecing it together,and seems to be way quieter then the factory built units. The motor is the key..

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, my motor only turns at 1180 RPM, so it is rather quiet. I can hear it running, but it's not obnoxious. Plus, it's a good reminder to turn it off when not in use. I probably saved about $700 by getting the motor for next to nothing.