VFD For converting 110 to 220 3 Phase

[tallgrass1951]

My wife got a powermatic/baldor bench grinder from an online auction, but it has a 3 phase motor. I need a recommendation for a reasonably priced vfd to convert 110 to 220 3 phase. I have 220 available but it would prefer to use the available 110 outlets, which are all 20 amp outlets. I will have an electrician do the actual wiring.

A local electric motor repair place quoted $300 minimum to do this and I don't want to spend that much on the project.

 

[electroman187]

You're not going to be able to convert 110 to 220 3 phase with just a VFD. You'll need a transformer to step up the 110 to 220 first. But that would be silly if you already have 220 available. So be prepared to run 220 to the VFD.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A decent vfd is gonna eat up at least half that budget.

Then you need to pay someone to install it.

Honestly, if $300 is too much for you, its probably better to get a single phase unit.

 

[manwithtools]

There are 120 volt single phase in - 230 volt three phase out VFD's available. One for your application runs $186 here: https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ts_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_-z-_575_VAC)/GS2-11P0

You will need an enclosure for the VFD and possibly some control wiring. If you are paying someone to do this work, you'll be over $500. If you do it yourself, it could cost less than $300.

I know it does not seem logical that you can have 120 volts in and 230 volts out without a transformer (as mentioned in previous post), but this is possible with the right VFD.

Nice wife BTW

BTW, that grinder if in good working order is worth the $300 investment - depending on what the Mrs. paid for it at auction.

 

[shawhite]

Your cheapest route will be to use the 220 and a static phase converter.

 

[metlmunchr]

You lose a minimum of 1/3 of the motor's power with a static converter. So the 3/4 hp Baldor becomes 1/2 hp at max, and you might as well have some HF junk rather than a good grinder at that point. The best application for static phase converters is turning perfectly good motors into smoking piles of burned up junk.

 

[gearhead1]

I used a Hitachi VFD I bought off eBay for my 3/4 HP milling machine motor. It uses a 230V input and has a 230V 3 phase output. Was about $100. It was not difficult to install.

When I reasearched for my application, it appeared 1HP or was about the limit where a VFD was feasible based on cost. It seemed once you go bigger in HP, a phase converter is more cost efficient.

 

[ER70S-2]

I agree. VFDs are relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to wire. You can be up and running in no time for little money.

 

[alfredeneuman]

You lose a minimum of 1/3 of the motor's power with a static converter. So the 3/4 hp Baldor becomes 1/2 hp at max, and you might as well have some HF junk rather than a good grinder at that point. The best application for static phase converters is turning perfectly good motors into smoking piles of burned up junk.

 

[tallgrass1951]

Ok - Lets go to a 220 to 220 inverter since that looks like the easiest and cheapest way to go. Which one should I get?

I have an electrician friend that will do the wiring for beverages and occasional free welding. The grinder was only $55 at the auction so still a good deal even with the VFD.

And thanks for the comments and advice.

 

[tallgrass1951]

Will this one work?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DKJWM62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[slip knot]

try these guys

http://dealerselectric.com/variable-frequency-drive-motor-control.asp

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Ok - Lets go to a 220 to 220 inverter since that looks like the easiest and cheapest way to go. Which one should I get?

I have an electrician friend that will do the wiring for beverages and occasional free welding. The grinder was only $55 at the auction so still a good deal even with the VFD.

And thanks for the comments and advice.

This is one of the most recommended VFD on many of the forums. I have one on my Bridgeport and the newer model on my lathe. They are very good units and are very easy to set up.

http://dealerselectric.com/FM50-101-C.asp

For that grinder this unit will work very well.

 

[Norcal]

Ok - Lets go to a 220 to 220 inverter since that looks like the easiest and cheapest way to go. Which one should I get?

I have an electrician friend that will do the wiring for beverages and occasional free welding. The grinder was only $55 at the auction so still a good deal even with the VFD.

And thanks for the comments and advice.

Where are you getting your 110 & 220 volts? In the US those are prewar voltages, even though NEMA used 220/440V ratings for motors until the early 1970's.

120 volt input VFD's are available fairly cheap but they do not play well with GFCI protected circuits, one thing not to do, is buy cheap no-name ChiCom VFD's off ebay, the manuals are poor, & tech support non-existent, I bought a Teco NEMA 4X drive for a drill press, & a couple of GE/Fuji VFD's used to power a couple of Rockwell machines that have 200V 3Ø motors.

 

[matt_i]

120 volt input VFD's are available fairly cheap but they do not play well with GFCI protected circuits.

I will second this, I built a metal-scraping carbide grinder...it spins a 6" diamond wheel at 8Hz with an AC Tech/Lenze VFD @ 120vac input, but will trip every GFCI out there. I ended up having to plug it into a lighting circuit...

 

[American Locomotive]

I second the Teco drives. Everyone seems to love them. That 1hp 110v to 220v drive seems to be just the ticket.

 

[930dreamer]

A vfd for about $110 would be a great way to get a 3 phase project running fast.

 

[BillK]

I think I would sell it and get a single phase grinder.

 

[Norcal]

I think I would sell it and get a single phase grinder.

Besides Baldor there are no good manufacturers anymore, the OP's grinder is of a quality not made anymore, for the cost of the drive & incidentals he will have a good machine.

 

[matt_i]

A guy at work was raving about a Metabo stationary/bench grinder.....a guy a trust to know the difference between a quality tool and a junky one.

 

[tallgrass1951]

Thanks for all of the help.