Rlapointe87
Well-known member
Very cool! You can barely hear it
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Show us your VFD conversions/installations
- Thread starter Techie1961
- Start date
454ragtop
Well-known member
Not a VFD per se, more than likely a PWM controller.
laser3kw
Well-known member
Yes the ecu controls fuel pressure via PWM to the fuel pump.
There are several manufactures that make PWM systems to control radiator fans. Regulates airflow in proportion to water temp.
454ragtop
Well-known member
Have a real nice one on my Chevelle for the fans, turns on the fans one at a time at slow speed, and then speeds them up as needed, I love it.
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hoffman enclosure came today. It's 10W x 12H x 8D to house a 2hp Teco FM50. Front panel controls will be start and stop push buttons and a matching Allen Bradley potentiometer for speed control. This will be running my open face paint booth exhaust fan from the adjacent room.
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Kent Skinner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2010
- Messages
- 106
Great thread!
I have a question about my mill that runs a 1 hp motor on 220 single phase. I've considered putting a VFD on in, simply for a speed controller.
If I keep the pulleys set for high speed, and slow it down with the VFD, will I lose a bunch of torque?
I have a question about my mill that runs a 1 hp motor on 220 single phase. I've considered putting a VFD on in, simply for a speed controller.
If I keep the pulleys set for high speed, and slow it down with the VFD, will I lose a bunch of torque?
Well I am pretty pleased with myself that I got my 3ø 3HP planer going today. The speed control is amazing and although I don't need it for my planer I'm already eyeing motors to swap into my bandsaw so I can slow it down enough for metal.
I have a lot more research to do in terms of the low voltage wiring for the controls including a potentiometer and on and off switch. It was just a temp install for now so no pictures and that thing throws chips all over the place so I will build an enclosed once I figure out all the control wiring. I feel like a nerd but man was I excited! This is a great new way to spend money!
I have a lot more research to do in terms of the low voltage wiring for the controls including a potentiometer and on and off switch. It was just a temp install for now so no pictures and that thing throws chips all over the place so I will build an enclosed once I figure out all the control wiring. I feel like a nerd but man was I excited! This is a great new way to spend money!
If you loose too much torque at the high speed setting then do what Nine says and set your pulleys for a lower speed setting. Now program the VFD to overclock above 60 Hz to get the same max. speed as before.
Overclocking your motor is generally OK with 1750 RPM motors (approx. up to +50%) but you should probably stick to 60Hz max. on 3600 RPM motors.
Whiskeymike
Well-known member
Can you guys comment on this combo for a diy 2x72 belt grinder? http://dealerselectric.com/2-HP-3600-RPM-230-Volts-Input-Package.asp
laser3kw
Well-known member
We use Marathon motors in our equipment, never had an issues. Teco VFD seem to have a good following, never heard complaints .
As long as it is enough HP for your sander (extra never hurts) and the right rpm.
That is a smoking good price. That motor alone is a $800 ~ $900 motor. And the VFD is $200.
As long as it is enough HP for your sander (extra never hurts) and the right rpm.
That is a smoking good price. That motor alone is a $800 ~ $900 motor. And the VFD is $200.
toolferone
Well-known member
Just make sure you plan on sealing the vfd in the right size enclosure. Metal grinding dust and vfd's don't mix well.
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I ordered the spray booth exhaust fan with a 3 phase motor so I could use a VFD to control fan speed. I whipped up the control panel placard on the laser this morning. Test run in 1/8 MDF:
A few changes and added keys for each control to line them up:
Once it's right in MDF, cut in 1/8 acrylic along with a drilling template:
All together:
The VFD is controlling a 2HP 24" spray booth exhaust fan:
A few changes and added keys for each control to line them up:
Once it's right in MDF, cut in 1/8 acrylic along with a drilling template:
All together:
The VFD is controlling a 2HP 24" spray booth exhaust fan:
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slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I ran the motor for an hour and the temperature rise in the enclosure was about 3F.
slodat, cool. Glad to hear it. I was thinking it would be more. I installed a fan in my cabinet (I'm converting my Jet drill press to VFD). I have a two horsepower motor as well. And my drill press would not run for long periods of time like a motor in a paint booth. Sounds like I may not have needed to do that and could have spent the money somewhere else.
I'll post pictures of my project when it's complete. Waiting to get my drill press back from the shop for repair on the slop in the quill and spindle.
Britt
I'll post pictures of my project when it's complete. Waiting to get my drill press back from the shop for repair on the slop in the quill and spindle.
Britt
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It was far from a scientific test. I just hit it with an IR thermometer before and after. I can also open the door to the enclosure should I have an issue.
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
Part of the reason we have enclosures is to isolate the VFD from contaminants in the shop. How would you put fans in the enclosure without risking fluids/metal dust from getting in?
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
These drives should be mounted in an enclosure. If you are going to use a fan, a filter is a very good idea.
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Details matter to me. This little project is so satisfying!! Adding the third element to the control panel was easy because I drew it all in CAD from the beginning.
Drilling layout template in 1/8 MDF:
Supply breaker off:
And the real reason I added the indicator lamp. Supply breaker on. So I know to turn the breaker off after I'm finished using the booth:
This is the first time I've tried painting the engraved area. A little tweaking and it will look a bit sharper.
Drilling layout template in 1/8 MDF:
Supply breaker off:
And the real reason I added the indicator lamp. Supply breaker on. So I know to turn the breaker off after I'm finished using the booth:
This is the first time I've tried painting the engraved area. A little tweaking and it will look a bit sharper.
Attachments
Have you ever tried the plastic engraving stock called "Gravoply"?
I rout it with a CNC and it works great, they even make a version for Lasers.
Its a two ply plastic I usually get the Black/White version.
Enco Mill Control Panel
View media item 72970
Small CNC Router Control Panel
View media item 72969
Another of the CNC Router
View media item 72968
DocsMachine
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,848
Over the last year or so, I've been rebuilding a Spanish-made "Exacto" vertical mill which had a 3-phase motor.
The mill is slightly larger than a typical Bridgeport, and has this box cast into the right side of the column for all the electrics:
The smaller box above used to be an outlet wired in presumably for some worklights, but I repurposed it to be the cable outlet up to the motor. The WEG VFD I mounted to an aluminum plate so as to take advantage of some already-drilled holes inside the box- I may be redesigning the layout at some point, and didn't want to drill more holes in the iron 'til I was sure.
For the controls, I fabbed up this mount...
To mount a fwd-stop-rev switch in the same place it is on my other Bridgeport-clone mill, so there's no fumbling with different switch locations between the two machines.
The switch got wired with some six-conductor shielded cable...
And a speed pot mounted to the back of the box, easily accessible but out of the way:
That cable was run down the left side of the column, and in through what used to be the built-in flood coolant port, then capped with a custom aluminum cover:
Both cables were left with a generous length so the ram can be extended and the head rotated, without pulling on either cable.
As I had an on-off switch and an existing hole in the door of the electrical enclosure, I added an overall shutoff switch to the setup, in case I wanted to turn the whole thing off, for example if I wasn't going to use it for a while.
I ran a pigtail to a 240V plug through a strain-relief out the back...
And there you have it.
Fully wired, tested and ready to use:
Doc.
The mill is slightly larger than a typical Bridgeport, and has this box cast into the right side of the column for all the electrics:
The smaller box above used to be an outlet wired in presumably for some worklights, but I repurposed it to be the cable outlet up to the motor. The WEG VFD I mounted to an aluminum plate so as to take advantage of some already-drilled holes inside the box- I may be redesigning the layout at some point, and didn't want to drill more holes in the iron 'til I was sure.
For the controls, I fabbed up this mount...
To mount a fwd-stop-rev switch in the same place it is on my other Bridgeport-clone mill, so there's no fumbling with different switch locations between the two machines.
The switch got wired with some six-conductor shielded cable...
And a speed pot mounted to the back of the box, easily accessible but out of the way:
That cable was run down the left side of the column, and in through what used to be the built-in flood coolant port, then capped with a custom aluminum cover:
Both cables were left with a generous length so the ram can be extended and the head rotated, without pulling on either cable.
As I had an on-off switch and an existing hole in the door of the electrical enclosure, I added an overall shutoff switch to the setup, in case I wanted to turn the whole thing off, for example if I wasn't going to use it for a while.
I ran a pigtail to a 240V plug through a strain-relief out the back...
And there you have it.
Fully wired, tested and ready to use:
Doc.
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Very nice work, Doc!
I picked up a Blackhawk jack today and the seller has (4) Quincy 390 20hp compressors, a pile of 30-50 hp 3 phase motors and a few of these VFD's- What can you tell me about these? Thank you.
Quoted from the sellers vfd CL listing;
ABB ACX550-U0-046A-2 drives;
"have several ABB variable frequency drives that were used to drive 15 horsepower water pumps. These were removed during a remodel and no longer needed. These units are in excellent condition and I have tested them and they work perfectly. These can also be used to convert single phase power into three phase power so you can run heavy machinery and equipment without having to get three phase service from the utility company. You can use this with up to a 15 horsepower motor.
If you are not familiar with how these work, I can rig up a test station and show you how to install and use one these. They are very simple to install and use."
I have the following available:
3x) ABB ACX550-U0-046A-2 drives mounted into ACX550-VCR-046A-2 enclosures with bypass control
Quoted from the sellers vfd CL listing;
ABB ACX550-U0-046A-2 drives;
"have several ABB variable frequency drives that were used to drive 15 horsepower water pumps. These were removed during a remodel and no longer needed. These units are in excellent condition and I have tested them and they work perfectly. These can also be used to convert single phase power into three phase power so you can run heavy machinery and equipment without having to get three phase service from the utility company. You can use this with up to a 15 horsepower motor.
If you are not familiar with how these work, I can rig up a test station and show you how to install and use one these. They are very simple to install and use."
I have the following available:
3x) ABB ACX550-U0-046A-2 drives mounted into ACX550-VCR-046A-2 enclosures with bypass control
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A 15hp vfd is huge. Do you need anything near that powerful? How much are they?
No real need now, but have a 7.5 hp compressor rebuild in the works, $450. I think there 208 volts input though.
Nelson58
Well-known member
This is an awesome thread, keep it coming.
Can a vfd be used to start a larger idler for a phase converter?
Sparkynutz
Well-known member
Can you explain how and what input voltage you'd use to get 3ph output from single phase? I'm pretty familiar with drives installing them frequently at factory where I work and never heard of this before.
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slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The single phase input powers a common dc bus between the input rectifier and output 3 phase variable frequency inverter. They are often derated for single phase input because the rectifier components on two input legs have to carry the whole load.
My question about using a vfd to start a larger idler is based on having (5) 3 phase machines and wanting to run from one large converter. I've started a 30 hp idler in my shop already so a vfd probably isn't the answer for me. At the moment my 10hp converter fits the bill for 3 phase power.
Last edited:
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Very common. You can input 120v single phase and output 3 phase no problem. Wolf automation is a supplier that has quite a few options if you want to look
laser3kw
Well-known member
don't know about 120v, but 240v single phase input ( common residential) is done all the time.
Slodat gave a good simple over view of how the electronics work.
slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
120v input limits you to 1HP.
Sparkynutz
Well-known member
So its basicly a specialty drive, not something you can just do with an off the shelf standard 3ph yaskawa or Allen Bradley drive?
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454ragtop
Well-known member
You always need to supply the input voltage the drive calls for, but many 3 phase input drives will work on single phase of the correct voltage, but the drive usually needs to be derated.
Thinking about making the switch on my Delta Rockwell 15-665 DP. I bought a 3ph 3/4hp 3ph motor for it to replace the 1/2 hp currently on it. What VFD would you all recommend for this size motor? I have 220 available but think I'd like to use 110 for more options when I move it. Any good premade plates with the on-off and dial speed built in? I also think I want to be able to use a foot pedal for tapping. Just wanting to gather parts now and figure this out over Christmas time off. Thanks for all who are posting on this--think it will be cool.
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slodat
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Teco FM50 1HP, 110v input would work well. I use them in similar applications with great success..