Rotary Phase Converter

[printcom]

I have a Boost Energy systems 4KW Rotary phase converter, I am considering another lathe which means Im gona need more power. Is it possible to upgrade the one I have by putting a larger motor in it or is it more complex than that ?

 

[addjunkie]

Think there will also be different sized capacitors too, and obviously youll be in to a big single phase supply in excess of 32 amps.

 

[daleyd]

Also wiring etc will need to be checked to make sure it's suitable.

 

[Burdekin]

Give them a call. I found them spot on when I bought mine.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

you can try American Rotary as well

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I have a Boost Energy systems 4KW Rotary phase converter, I am considering another lathe which means Im gona need more power. Is it possible to upgrade the one I have by putting a larger motor in it or is it more complex than that ?

Are you planning to run both lathes at the same time.
If not do you really need to upgrade it? Or is it a lot more power hungry

 

[Mr-Mike]

So that's about 5Hp. I have two machines wired into a single RPC. I run one at a time. Neither exceeds 5Hp. Together I am just at the limit. Without starting them at the exact same time I am able to run both machines, but I don't.

 

[printcom]

At the moment I am running a Chinese 1440 which has a two speed 3kw motor. I am looking at a TOS SN50c which requires around 5.5KW. As I am only planning to use one at a time I thought a 6KW RPC would probably do. However if it looks like I have got to buy a new one I might as well go bigger and give my self a little wiggle room for a later date.

 

[bwservices]

it depends how they are designed.some manufacturers will limit everything to its rated output.some have a few common ratings to speed up production and reduce number of stocked parts
that's cable cross section,mcb'c,contactors,mains switch etc
then you have the transformer/auto transformer kva rating
then cap sizes to start and balance the motor
its not a simple change

 

[Mr-Mike]

New one. You should be able to sell the 4K and recoup some of that. Some RPCs can be daisy-chained together (American Rotary from the US for example). That may be a consideration for selection, and a cost effective planning strategy.

 

[printcom]

New one.

Yep, its looking that way............. more ££££££££££s :-(
Has anyone got any preference between the Boost Energy and the Transwave RPC's? Or are they much of a muchness..

 

[knighty]

you could build your own?

(I've got a couple of big 3 phase motors left over I'd happily send you one for scrap price)

 

[Bill Edwards]

you could build your own?

(I've got a couple of big 3 phase motors left over I'd happily send you one for scrap price)

How big is big, I need to build a rotary of a good size and need a suitable motor - if printcom doesn’t take one I might be interested in doing a deal.

 

[Anguz]

I may have some large 3 phase motors available

 

[Hopefuldave]

I may have some large 3 phase motors available

How large? I'm looking for a step up from the 5.5kw to about 7.5, star wound for 415v? If spendy, I can just stick another motor alongside it, add another 2kw...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[Anguz]

Will check on monday

 

[Hopefuldave]

it depends how they are designed.some manufacturers will limit everything to its rated output.some have a few common ratings to speed up production and reduce number of stocked parts
that's cable cross section,mcb'c,contactors,mains switch etc
then you have the transformer/auto transformer kva rating
then cap sizes to start and balance the motor
its not a simple change

Not that difficult either, just scale the capacitors, wiring, etc. by the power change - it's when you're doing it for 415 it gets complicated, working out the capacitor values etc...

But yeah, a lot of manufactured ones skimp a bit, ha'porth of tar and all that.
Dave H. (the other one)

 

[bwservices]

no not difficult at all,but probably better to copy the general layout and build your own,then sell the smaller one

 

[printcom]

Thanks for all the input chaps. I have done a deal with this TOS lathe and will be collecting it on Wednesday. So it looks like a new RPC is needed. Question is what can I get for the 4KW one?

 

[knighty]

I think the ones I have are 18kw but I'll have to check.... they're around that size anyway