VFD for single to three phase

[Tim Cardinal]

I'm picking up a 8in General jointer tomorrow that has a 3 phase motor. Any thoughts on VFD inverters? When I lived in Minnesota all my machines where 3 phase and I built a rotary phase converter, It worked well but my electrician friend said the VFD was the way to go.

Or should I just change the motor to single phase?

Thanks
Tim

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Tim, a jointer won't benefit from the variable speed and braking that a VFD will allow, however it's probably less expensive than purchasing a single phase motor and starter for the jointer.

I would go with the VFD if the cost is reasonable............Rod.

[Tim Cardinal]

Hi Tim, a jointer won't benefit from the variable speed and braking that a VFD will allow, however it's probably less expensive than purchasing a single phase motor and starter for the jointer.

I would go with the VFD if the cost is reasonable............Rod.

Amazon has a .75KW inverter for $100 Canadian sounds too good to be true..

[David Kumm]

Use the existing RPC. No benefit to paying for a vfd in that application. The belt drive head will slow on its own and a vfd needs an additional brake resistor to quickly stop a head. Dave

[Tim Cardinal]

Use the existing RPC. No benefit to paying for a vfd in that application. The belt drive head will slow on its own and a vfd needs an additional brake resistor to quickly stop a head. Dave
I don't have the RPC anymore, Sold it with my machines when we left Minnesota..

[David Kumm]

Then a vfd should be under $200. If jointer has a manual starter, you can just plug the vfd into the machine and leave the starter closed- but don't ever use it to stop the machine, only the vfd controls. If a mag starter, you need to bypass it and wire directly to the motor. I put a switch on the single phase side before the recepticle so I can cut power to the vfd when not using the machine. Dave

[Tim Cardinal]

Then a vfd should be under $200. If jointer has a manual starter, you can just plug the vfd into the machine and leave the starter closed- but don't ever use it to stop the machine, only the vfd controls. If a mag starter, you need to bypass it and wire directly to the motor. I put a switch on the single phase side before the recepticle so I can cut power to the vfd when not using the machine. Dave
Thanks Dave..

[Bill Dufour]

On my lathe I mounted the VFD inside the headstock end pedestal and used the existing switches to control the VFD.
On many cheap VFDs the cooling fan runs constantly. I added an extra contactor in front of the vfd so I can turn it off when I am done with the the lathe. I only turn it off after the spindle stops spinning.
Bill D

[Tim Cardinal]

On my lathe I mounted the VFD inside the headstock end pedestal and used the existing switches to control the VFD.
On many cheap VFDs the cooling fan runs constantly. I added an extra contactor in front of the vfd so I can turn it off when I am done with the the lathe. I only turn it off after the spindle stops spinning.
Bill D
Thanks Bill...I will see what i am dealing with tomorrow

[Patrick Irish]

Do not get the HunwanYang or however your spell it, VFD. Mine was the 5hp model and worked a little then one day popped. Hard to sort through the manual too. Get a decent brand with a warranty.

[Dan Jansen]

I just bought a TECO Westinghouse L510 from Wolf Automation for $138. It was pretty straight forward to wire up after watching a couple you tube videos. The basic setup is pretty straight forward but the dozens of possible options can get kind of overwhelming. They are pretty cool toys and definitely have more functions than you need for a jointer. Depending on if you can scrounge up the wire, enclosure and other pieces, you may end up closer to $200 getting the VFD set up.

If you can find a good cheap used single phase replacement that’s probably the lowest cost option. If you can’t then the VFD is the winner, unless there might be more three phase equipment in your future. Then you are back to setting up a rotary phase converter.

[Tim Cardinal]

I just bought a TECO L510 from Wold Automation for $138. It was pretty straight forward to wire up after watching a couple you tube videos. The basic setup is pretty straight forward but the dozens of possible options can get kind of overwhelming. They are pretty cool toys and definitely have more functions than you need for a jointer. Depending on if you can scrounge up the wire, enclosure and other pieces, you may end up closer to $200 getting the VFD set up.

If you can find a good cheap used single phase replacement that’s probably the lowest cost option. If you can’t then the VFD is the winner, unless there might be more three phase equipment in your future. Then you are back to setting up a rotary phase converter.
The seller said he has some motors from years gone by..Ill have a look tomorrow for something single phase...my saw is only 1 1/2HP so if i find a 3 hp I'll be laughing..but if not ill probably do an inverter..

[Bill Dufour]

Consider moving the 3phase motor to a drillpress or sander where variable speed and fast stop/reversing might be worth an inverter. Then buy a single phase for the jointer. The only advantage of a 3ph on a jointer is slow start if your wiring is on the small side.
If you do convert the jointer to single phase you will have to replace two heater coils in the starter overloads. that is if it has a overload setup. Three phase it probably does have a starter and overloads.
Bil lD.

[Mike King]

Jack Forsberg sells very nice and suitable VFDs. His support is impeccable as well.

[Richard Coers]

If you are comfortable with electronic equipment, then a cheap VFD may work. But there is programming and possibly remote switching to be done. The benefit of actually buying for a dealer is that you can get technical help. Something you definitely DON'T get with a $100 Amazon special.

[Allan Speers]

Use the existing RPC. No benefit to paying for a vfd in that application. The belt drive head will slow on its own and a vfd needs an additional brake resistor to quickly stop a head. Dave


There are two benefits, even when variable speed & soft-start don't matter:

1: You get dynamic breaking. With cheaper VFD's not as much, though you can always add a bigger resistor, if you know what you're doing.

2: A decent VFD can be used instead of a mag starter: They don't auto-start after a power outage, and they offer overload protection.
Good mag starters are expensive, so.....

[David Kumm]

All of the General 480s I've seen come with a mag starter. Dave

[Karl Loeblein]

I'm picking up a 8in General jointer tomorrow that has a 3 phase motor. Any thoughts on VFD inverters? When I lived in Minnesota all my machines where 3 phase and I built a rotary phase converter, It worked well but my electrician friend said the VFD was the way to go.
...
Tim

Is the 8" jointer the only 3 phase equipment that you plan on buying anytime in the near future? Around here 3Phase equipment often goes really cheap at auctions. Buying multiple decent quality VFDs can be costly especially for motors bigger than 3HP (i.e. 5HP dust collector or table saw).


For instance, I purchased at a local government auction a 14" Delta Unisaw for $150 (5HP 3PH), 12 Oliver Jointer (3HP 3PH) for $50, and 20" Oliver Planer (3HP 3PH) for $50. Since then I
found a used American Rotary 10HP RPC with power panel in Atlanta for $350 from another woodshop hobbyist. This RPC setup should allow me run other 3 phase woodworking equipment for the cost of adding another wire & plug. Nothing about RPC you didn't already know.

[Tim Cardinal]

I built a rotary phase converter years ago, sold it with all my machinery when we moved. I don't think I will be getting any more 3 ph equipment..


Is the 8" jointer the only 3 phase equipment that you plan on buying anytime in the near future? Around here 3Phase equipment often goes really cheap at auctions. Buying multiple decent quality VFDs can be costly especially for motors bigger than 3HP(i.e. 5HP dust collector or table saw).


For instance, I purchased at a local government auction a 14" Delta Unisaw for $150 (5HP 3PH), 12 Oliver Jointer (3HP 3PH) for $50, and 20" Oliver Planer (3HP 3PH) for $50. Since then I
found a used American Rotary 10HP RPC with power panel in Atlanta for $350 from another woodshop hobbyist. This RPC setup should allow me run other 3 phase woodworking equipment for the cost of adding another wire & plug. Nothing about RPC you didn't already know.

[Tim Cardinal]

It has a mag switch but its 3 ph...thats way i was looking at a VFD

All of the General 480s I've seen come with a mag starter. Dave

[Matt Mattingley]

It has a mag switch but its 3 ph...thats way i was looking at a VFD
If the coil is 220-240 V it will still operate on single phase 240 V. The coil inside the contactor/motor starter is only single phase. You will have to show a picture of it to let us see if it is designed big enough for single phase. That is assuming you’re swapping out the motor for a single phase motor.

[David Kumm]

I misread your post that the rpc was in a previous shop and not available currently. Dave