Here's a little project I've been working on for a couple of evenings now.
Basically, I've been using a 3 phase motor to generate 3 phase power for my workshop tools for a couple of years now. The setup has always been completely stripped back to basics, i.e. I have been starting the motor with a drill, the wires have been exposed etc etc - it works but it's annoying to use, basically.
It looked like this:
I finally had enough, and decided to get around to fixing it, so I've gutted an old PC case and stuck the motor in it:
The motor will now be controlled by an arduino, a set of relays, 2 contactors and a capacitor. In short, the arduino switches the relays, which enable / disable the contactors. One contactor is used solely for bringing the starter capacitor online and offline, and the other for power to the motor.
The arduino looks like this with the relays. It's a little nano for 3 pounds off ebay, mounted to a standard breadboard. I've also fitted a 240v -> 12v converter, and then a 5v voltage regulator to drive the relays.
Early test setup:
The case's power button is used for stopping / starting, and the LEDs provide feedback as to what is happening.
The arduino brings the starter circuit online for 0.5s, which seems just about enough to start the motor.
In case:
Here's a little video:
Obviously at the moment it's just a prototype. It still needs to have the wood removed, and I want to add a hall effect sensor so that the controller will know if the motor has started. That way it can cut power off if the motor stalls or doesn't start up for whatever reason, instead of burning the fuse out.
I will also add an emergency stop button, which will disconnect all power.
I'll upload the code to github later, and take a photo of the schematic, however now off to bed
Basically, I've been using a 3 phase motor to generate 3 phase power for my workshop tools for a couple of years now. The setup has always been completely stripped back to basics, i.e. I have been starting the motor with a drill, the wires have been exposed etc etc - it works but it's annoying to use, basically.
It looked like this:
I finally had enough, and decided to get around to fixing it, so I've gutted an old PC case and stuck the motor in it:
The motor will now be controlled by an arduino, a set of relays, 2 contactors and a capacitor. In short, the arduino switches the relays, which enable / disable the contactors. One contactor is used solely for bringing the starter capacitor online and offline, and the other for power to the motor.
The arduino looks like this with the relays. It's a little nano for 3 pounds off ebay, mounted to a standard breadboard. I've also fitted a 240v -> 12v converter, and then a 5v voltage regulator to drive the relays.
Early test setup:
The case's power button is used for stopping / starting, and the LEDs provide feedback as to what is happening.
The arduino brings the starter circuit online for 0.5s, which seems just about enough to start the motor.
In case:
Here's a little video:
Obviously at the moment it's just a prototype. It still needs to have the wood removed, and I want to add a hall effect sensor so that the controller will know if the motor has started. That way it can cut power off if the motor stalls or doesn't start up for whatever reason, instead of burning the fuse out.
I will also add an emergency stop button, which will disconnect all power.
I'll upload the code to github later, and take a photo of the schematic, however now off to bed
