Roatary Phase converter ??

[Mysfyt]

I suspect you are right about the table and coolant pump not being 3phase, which makes me wonder how those motors will react if I hook the machine up to a rotary converter. I am now thinking that there might be more wireing needed done to the switches on the machine. My son is a commercial electrician, I might have to pull him in to do the wireing.

If they are 110v single phase, it gets pretty easy. There will be a transformer in the electrical box that runs off of two legs from the three phase input. Just make sure you connect the two 'normal' legs to this transformer and not the 'wild' leg. You may end up with higher voltage than 110, but modern motors are safe at +\- 10 percent of rated voltage. Sometimes the transformers have multiple taps to account for this. Your son can help you here I'm sure.

 

[Stimw]

I'm running this 15' X 54" Cincinnati Hydrashift lathe (5hp) and 2 Scotchman Ironworkers (3&5hp) on a static converter that I built for $45.
3 Phase machines will use single phase for smaller electrical use items. For single phase they just use 2 legs or 1 leg and neutral for 120V.
My lathe uses 120V single for the relays that control the motor. When I first hooked it up I had the phantom leg in the wrong place and it would not work. All I had to do was shift the connections.

 

[muddstopper]

If they are 110v single phase, it gets pretty easy. There will be a transformer in the electrical box that runs off of two legs from the three phase input. Just make sure you connect the two 'normal' legs to this transformer and not the 'wild' leg. You may end up with higher voltage than 110, but modern motors are safe at +\- 10 percent of rated voltage. Sometimes the transformers have multiple taps to account for this. Your son can help you here I'm sure.

Right now I really need to make the trip to look the machine over and try and make the deal. I have seen the machine many times, but never looked at it as a potential buyer. He's asking $700 and it comes with a full set of r8 collets and hold down tools, but no vises or cutting tools. I know he cuts keyways in 4ft long shafts with it, but it sits mostly unused since he bought his newer mill. Its a manual machine with no dro's or any other fancy stuff. I guess first i need to buy the machine and then figure out how to power it.

 

[harrisl]

I believe you can get directions for hooking up a Phase-O-Matic static converter using what they call a pony motor. fancy name for additional 3 ph motor and the wiring in an interrupter switch. It is pretty simple to hook up I have built 2 this way with good success. Phase-O-Matic directions are I think available online.

 

[dstig1]

I suspect you are right about the table and coolant pump not being 3phase, which makes me wonder how those motors will react if I hook the machine up to a rotary converter. I am now thinking that there might be more wireing needed done to the switches on the machine. My son is a commercial electrician, I might have to pull him in to do the wireing.

Well, sheeeeeiiiittt Why didn't you say that? He should know this cold. And if not, then smack him upside the head and ask what all that schoolin' was fer?

Obviously lots of ways to skin this cat as you have seen. It sounds mostly like you need to get a better read on what you need.

Something that hasn't been mentioned clearly here is that the difference between a rotary converter and a static one is the motor. Other than adjusting caps a bit, there is no difference. Just add a motor to a static and you have a rotary converter. ...If you do it correctly... tons of resources with a google search.

 

[muddstopper]

Something that hasn't been mentioned clearly here is that the difference between a rotary converter and a static one is the motor. Other than adjusting caps a bit, there is no difference. Just add a motor to a static and you have a rotary converter. ...If you do it correctly... tons of resources with a google search.

If I understand it correctly, a static converter just converts your machines 3phase motor to run off single phase and at 2/3 power, where as a rotary provides the third leg needed to run your machine motor off 3 phase. Using a static converter and adding a motor should be the same as a rotary. Which begs the question, why not just buy a static converter to build your rotary converter and run your equipment off the rotary. Static converters seem cheap enough. I have also read that running more than one motor at a time off your rotary would improve the balance of the 3phase. Some folks where even wiring in an extra, smaller hp motor, inline between the larger rotary motor and the equipment motor. They just turned the smaller motor on/off when its needed. Purpose being I think to provide cleaner power.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Right now I really need to make the trip to look the machine over and try and make the deal. I have seen the machine many times, but never looked at it as a potential buyer. He's asking $700 and it comes with a full set of r8 collets and hold down tools, but no vises or cutting tools. I know he cuts keyways in 4ft long shafts with it, but it sits mostly unused since he bought his newer mill. Its a manual machine with no dro's or any other fancy stuff. I guess first i need to buy the machine and then figure out how to power it.

I looked up the #2 machine with vertical attachment and I could not find how fast the spindle could turn. Videos only showed it turning slow, maybe 250 rpm. That would not be enough speed to run carbide endmills. I would prefer a Bridgeport type mill with a sliding, lockable column to ease drilling holes.

 

[muddstopper]

I dont know the speed either. I know it has a dial for speed control. I would guess the dial should tell the speeds. Something I hadnt thought about though. Glad you brought that up.

 

[newbury]

If I understand it correctly, a static converter just converts your machines 3phase motor to run off single phase and at 2/3 power, where as a rotary provides the third leg needed to run your machine motor off 3 phase. Using a static converter and adding a motor should be the same as a rotary. Which begs the question, why not just buy a static converter to build your rotary converter and run your equipment off the rotary. Static converters seem cheap enough.<snip>

That's the basic concept.
Did you read phaseconverter ?
On Phase-Crafts ebay page (I won't link because I think I'm not supposed to link to ebay) he states that static converters are not supposed to be used with metal lathes and a whole bunch other stuff.

PLEASE NOTE: STATIC CONVERTERS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR AIR COMPRESSORS, REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT, AUTO LIFTS, IRON WORKERS, HYDRAULIC PUMPS, CNC MACHINERY, HEATERS, BATTERY CHARGERS, ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED EQUIPMENT, TWO SPEED MOTORS, OR HARD-STARTING DEVICES. PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE ORDERING IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF A STATIC CONVERTER FOR YOUR PARTICULAR APPLICATION. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR METAL LATHES. WE ALSO SELL ROTARY CONVERTERS WHICH WILL WORK WITH VIRTUALLY ANYTHING IF PROPERLY SIZED.

So you could probably start out with a static and upgrade to a rotary when you get more 3 phase equipment.

<snip> Some folks where even wiring in an extra, smaller hp motor, inline between the larger rotary motor and the equipment motor. They just turned the smaller motor on/off when its needed. Purpose being I think to provide cleaner power.

I think you are mixing up a "starter" or "pony" motor with something to clean up the power.

BUT really you should tap your son and tell him to get over and fix this up for his dad as a belated Father's Day present. Especially if you get into dealing with terms you are unfamiliar with.

120 volts at 15 amps hurts like H. 240 volts at 60 amps can probably kill.

 

[Stimw]

I have been using my converter on my lathe and Ironworkers for about 10 years with no problems! The ebay guy is mis-informed about these items.
I never run my machines wide open anyway which would cause problems.
Both my Ironworkers are hydraulic machines.
I had a Buffalo 3 ph Mechanical Ironworker which ran great also but I sold it because it was too scary! When you stepped on the peddle something was going to get cut or bent!
The 50 ton Ironworker is rated to punch a 1 1/8" hole in 3/4" steel!!! That probably won't work with the static converter.