3 Phase Inverters

[JimM]

Hi all

I'm looking at the possibility of using 3 phase motors for my home workshop.

Am I correct in thinking that all I need is an inverter like this

http://tinyurl.com/cfkzyg

Would I need 1 inverter for each piece of equipment or could I wire more than 1 machine to the same inverter. It's only me using them so only 1 machine would need to be run at any one time. Machinery would be Pillar Drill, Lathe and Milling Machine

Cheers

Jim

 

[stormin]

Jim

That's exactly the same inverter I have. Originally just to run my lathe, now going to be used for the mill as well.
You will probably have to re-wire your machines to suit. They are supposed to operate with no switching from the three phase output, direct to the motor. All control to be done from the inverter or a remote handset wired to the inverter.
I've now put a 5 pin three phase plug on a short lead out of the inverter so I can plug in the lathe or mill as appropriate.
As the advert says make sure your motors are dual voltage, the output from the inverter is three phase 240 volts not 415. I had to change motor on my mill as it wasn't possible to switch between star and delta. Was fairy easy to change on my lathe however.
The big advantage of inverter apart from taking up less space than rotary converters is the frequency change. It's possible to vary machine speeds without belt chnages. Saves loads of hassle.

 

[dannyweld]

just had a look. do you think you could run a 3 phase 400 amp inverter welder of it from single phase.

 

[stormin]

just had a look. do you think you could run a 3 phase 400 amp inverter welder of it from single phase.

These things will only put out 3hp or 2.2 kw.Think you'll find that welder consumes alot more power than that.
They are also only designed to run motors and rely on feedback from the motors to control phasing.
The switching on a welder is also controlled from the torch so it'd be difficult to convert this to inverter control.
What you need is a rotary converter. These use a slave motor to generate three phase and are not as sensitive to switching and voltage variations you get with a welder. More expensive though as you'll be paying for a large three phase motor and some large capacitors. There are lots of sites on the web showing home built rotary three phase converters.

 

[Luke]

A motor inverter is not designed to power a welder!!

With a decent inverter, you can set them up for multiple motors/machines, so when you physically change the motor cable, you can also change the ramp up/down speeds, max speed etc, as well.

 

[piman]

Hello Stormin,

"I've now put a 5 pin three phase plug on a short lead out of the inverte"

I take it that actually means a three phase socket which you plug your machines into as the way you describe it is not particularly safe?

Alec

 

[stormin]

Hello Stormin,

"I've now put a 5 pin three phase plug on a short lead out of the inverte"

I take it that actually means a three phase socket which you plug your machines into as the way you describe it is not particularly safe?

Alec

Yes, sorry it is a 5 pin socket. Plugs are on the ends of leads to the lathe and mill.