best way to boost voltage

[David Kumm]

I need to run a 3 phase 460 volt motor from 230. What is most efficient,

Buck boost 230 to 460 single phase and then 460 vfd to 3 phase,
3 phase boost from 230 v RPC to 460
230 single phase to 460 3 phase vfd if there is such a thing.
Any recommendations as to what to look for. I generally shop ebay for used electrical. Thanks, Dave

[Rick Lizek]

A motor shop can split the windings and make it 230 volt if the windings are in good shape.

[Jeff Duncan]

If cost is a consideration I think the "best" method may require knowing the HP of said motor? For instance....a VFD for a 10 hp motor is going to be a whole different kinda price than for say a 2hp! Other than that I'll leave the technical stuff to the guys who know a thing or two;)

good luck,
JeffD

[John McClanahan]

You would need a 230v RPC connected to a 230v-460v boost transformer, if you can find one big enough. You might be better off looking for a single phase motor. That's what I did on my table saw. I'm sure there will be other opinions on this.

John

[David Kumm]

If cost is a consideration I think the "best" method may require knowing the HP of said motor? For instance....a VFD for a 10 hp motor is going to be a whole different kinda price than for say a 2hp! Other than that I'll leave the technical stuff to the guys who know a thing or two;)

good luck,
JeffD

Sorry, meant to add another 3. 3 hp motor. Dave

[Stephen Cherry]

I've thought that you could take a dual voltage motor (230/440) and start it on one 230 volt winding, and then use the other windings to generate 460 three phase.

THIS IS JUST AN IDEA AND WOULD NEED TO BE TESTED.

If you are handy with motors and electrical stuff and you have electrical stuff, it would be easy to check this out, and you would need to be very careful with fuses or breakers to protect each winding. That said, it may make 460 on the cheap.

One warning- 460 will zap you in a way that 120-240 can't.

Is it something that you can't just get another motor for?

[Michael W. Clark]

Sorry, meant to add another 3. 3 hp motor. Dave

David,
Is it not dual voltage? Most motors that size are 208-230, 460V and it will list FLA for each voltage.

[David Kumm]

Not dual voltage. Swapping motors and electrical is an option but I hoped a small buck boost or vfd would do the trick. Dave