noise from lathe phase conveter

[allan kuntz]

A high pitch whining just started on my lathe from the phase converter. The converter is a Delta VFD-M. The model number is VFD015M21A. Is there cooling fan in these units. It sounds like a fan squeal.
Any ideas
Al

[Steve Schlumpf]

Allan, I checked the manual for your VFD and did not see anything about a built in fan. Just a guess on my part but I would think you probably have some sawdust inside it. Try using compressed air to blow it out and see if that doesn't help. Course - the usual cautions apply - unplug the lathe first.

[ron david]

as Steve says, it more than likely is dust
ron

[allan kuntz]

Thanks guys. I tried that
I took the cover off and did blow it out. Didn't help
Al

[allan kuntz]

Just found out that this is a VFD. Does that help trouble shooting
Al

[Roger Chandler]

I have a Delta M series vfd on my G0766 lathe. There is a small amount of high frequency hum/noise/chirp......whatever you want to call it. After using the lathe for 2 years it hardly is noticeable at all. Mine is quieter today than when first it was new. I think some of this is normal.
What lathe do you have?

[Len Mullin]

What brand of lathe is it, that you own?

[ron david]

there is a user manual on these. perhaps there may be an answer under troubls shooting. you have to own one to log in to it online
ron

[allan kuntz]

My lathe is a Craftex CX802 distributed by Busy Bee Tools. It looks the same as the Grizzly GO733. My lathe is 4 years old and the VFD always had a bit of a hum but this morning it is squealing like a dry bearing or bushing on a fan
Thanks
Al

[Michael Schneider]

Couple of things. If it has sit for awhile without power, it will likely whine. If it has been unplugged for awhile, try leaving it plugged in for a couple of days to a week. That may reform the capacitors to the point where the whine goes down, or away.

My actech vfd lets you change the internal frequency (not the sine wave of the power). Playing with that can also change the hum outside of the range of the human ear. Shop dogs still may not be happy though :-)

I put together a lathe after have some components sit of the shelf for awhile.

Note: if your vfd has set for a year or two without power, plug it in, and let is powered on overnight before you turn on the motor.

Note 2: if you unplug your VFD, wait at least 90 seconds before you plug it back in. It could (not aways) fry your VFD with the current onrush. There are some big capacitors in there that like to discharge when unplugged

[Olaf Vogel]

It sounds like a fan squeal.
Any ideas
Al

http://www.deltaww.com/filecenter/Products/download/06/060101/Manual/DELTA_IA-MDS_VFD-M_UM_EN_20150831.pdf

there is a fan in that unit. Basically a computer fan. Bearings do wear. But try soaking the Center section of the fan in silicone. Let it try, then start of up again.

if that doesn't help, unplug the fan, start the vfd, no load, see if there is Noise.
if you can't fix the fan, get a new one from the computer store. It's plug And play.

its a good VFD. I have several, never an issue.

[allan kuntz]

Thanks for all the info. The lathe had been unplugged for a bit. I plugged it in and will see what happens.I have a tech stopping over tomorrow and hope to get an answer
Al

[John K Jordan]

Thanks for all the info. The lathe had been unplugged for a bit. I plugged it in and will see what happens.I have a tech stopping over tomorrow and hope to get an answer
Al

Probably not needed here, but something I do to find the exact source of a noise on anything from small devices to engines: listen with a stethoscope or a stethoscope substitute. You can buy one at the auto parts store with a probe that will fit into a tight spot. I generally use one of several medical stethoscopes which are more comfortable and pick up sound better. Also, a big screwdriver with a plastic handle works well - press the rounded handle end against the ear and touch the working end to various places until the sound is the loudest.

A fan bearing noise should be easy to find, though, even without any aid. Another thing that can make a noise on a fan is an imbalance due to something on a blade. Also, various electronic components (such as a capacitor or a small transformer) can make a noise, although rarely and usually very faint - the tone will be the same frequency of the oscillating circuit is a part of. If lubricating a fan shaft/bearing I use a lubricant that dries to prevent accumulating dust.

A bit of trivia about diagnosing with sound - you can tell if a beehive has been without a queen for a day or two by the sound inside the hive - the sound is distinctive and perhaps described as "frantic" in pitch and volume compared to the normal. No listening aid needed, I just press my ear against the back of the brood chamber.

JKJ

[allan kuntz]

I have taken it apart as far as I am comfortable with. I found the fan and it does not spin freely by hand. I plugged it in and I would say the noise is coming from the fan.It starts as so as I turn it on and stops as soon as the fan stops spinning which is a bit after the the power is turned off. I assume it is supposed to keep running to cool things down. The connection for the fan is deeper in the box and will wait for the tech to show up
Al

[John K Jordan]

...I assume it is supposed to keep running to cool things down. ...

The VFDs I've seen that had fans could be programmed for several options. From the manual for that model the parameters for PR.114 on page 4-11 indicate:

Cooling fan control
00: Fan Off when the drive stop after 1 Min.
01: AC Drive Runs and Fan On, AC Drive Stops and Fan Off
02: Always Run

JKJ

[Olaf Vogel]

I have taken it apart as far as I am comfortable with. I found the fan and it does not spin freely by hand. I plugged it in and I would say the noise is coming from the fan.It starts as so as I turn it on and stops as soon as the fan stops spinning which is a bit after the the power is turned off. I assume it is supposed to keep running to cool things down. The connection for the fan is deeper in the box and will wait for the tech to show up
Al


Thats TS one of ththe very few replaceable parts.
soak it in silicone or get a new one. Cheap and easy.

[Len Mullin]

Alan,where is the tech coming from, is he a Busy Bee employee? Has Busy Bee been of any assistance with this issue, how is their service? I own a smaller lathe sold by Busy Bee, they weren't much help when I had an issue. I live in Atlantic Canada, and I bought the lathe when I was visiting my daughter in Ottawa. When I called them about the issue I was having, they wouldn't do anything for me unless I brought the lathe into their service center. I got some assistance from a fellow turner, the lathe works great now. I was not impressed with the service I got.
Len

[Brice Rogers]

Fans are cheap (like ten bucks) and are easily replaced. Some fans can be rejuvenated by putting a drop of oil on each bushing. Come back if you need more guidance on selecting and replacing it.


I have taken it apart as far as I am comfortable with. I found the fan and it does not spin freely by hand. I plugged it in and I would say the noise is coming from the fan.It starts as so as I turn it on and stops as soon as the fan stops spinning which is a bit after the the power is turned off. I assume it is supposed to keep running to cool things down. The connection for the fan is deeper in the box and will wait for the tech to show up
Al

[allan kuntz]

The tech is a local who works with vfds in the oil patch. I had a major issue with Busy Bee on a different lathe. The Ct128 with a DC motor that went to hell about 2 months after warranty. The grizzly and Laguna all ran a DC motor and all have gone to AC. I stared a thread on another Canadian forum that had quite a following. Finally got a PM from a fellow from Busy Bee who is a member and we worked it out after about a month of bashing their customer service
Olaf what kind of silicone are you referring to
Al

[Olaf Vogel]

Silicone lubricant in a spray can, from Home Depot or similar.
The bearing in the middle is tiny, so it needs to penetrate the gaps

[allan kuntz]

So I found the problem. When I opened up the cover exposing the VFD one of the mounting holes in the plastic case was quite broken. Well i guess after 4 years a small piece must have worked its way into the fan. I had tried to take the fan out but the wires were deep into the case so I waited for the tech to show. So when he did show up he told me to start it up so he could hear what it sounded like. Well after taking the fan out the pieces must have fallen out and it purred like a kitten. I felt like a fool. I have epoxied it back together as best i could. Kinda poor quality control but I suppose if you cant see it and it works that's good enough. I just have to put everything back together and its back to turning
Thanks to all for the suggestions
Al

[ron david]

those fans do need cleaning every so often as they do get a build up of dust on then and they can get npoisy from that
ron