phase converters??! i need some answers

[Jack]

hello,

i know there are already a few threads about this but i need some correct info on single to three phase converters, basically may be moving to a larger shop but it doesnt have three phase. i have asked a few friends about phase converters but i'm having different responses i am aware they run conventional motors ok but i am after some personal experiences

i need to know what sort of feed they need to operate in the first place?

do they actually run welders successfully? as my local welding supply man tells me welders fry them or the welders fry themselves?

i have read to run a 400amp mig i need about a 20hp converter, is that about right?

i also need to run an ironworker, a vertical and horizontal bandsaw, mill and any other machinery i aquire over the next couple of years off this thing, but probably only two machines at a time, is this possible?

any help would be greatly appriciated

cheers, Jack

 

[shenion]

Yes,welders will fry inverters or die due to the poor supply.

The only phase converter that you can use is a rotary converter. That would give 230V 3-phase you your 415V 3-phase equipment will need to be jumpered to 230V 3-phase.

Post the voltage/data plate info from the welder.

 

[awemawson]

I have a large Transwave rotary converter surplus to requirements. Bought it new a few years back for a project that got shelved when I moved - it's run for literally a few hours testing the large chiller unit it was driving and now sits on the shelf waiting form me to get round to putting it on eBay. If I remember correctly it's rated at 15KVA. It generates genuine 415v 3 phase from 240v single phase.


It's the RT-15KV here:

http://www.powercapacitors.co.uk/Po...oads_files/RT Rotary Converter Literature.pdf

 

[madkayaker]

have fitted a transwave converter for a customers and he runs lots of different wood working machines off it with no issues and no modification to the machines. i emailed transwave about running welding machines off one and posted the reply on here.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=283175&postcount=12

 

[Jack]

ah brilliant, cheers for the links chaps, that has made things slightly clearer in my mind. but what is two phase? i have never heard of that before? all i know is that in the socket the welder uses the three phases and an earth. i will get a picture of the plate when i go into work tomorrow.

awemawson - that was the make i was looking at, didnt think to check the pdf! what a fool. by the look of things i dont think id have suitable power on the input side anyway, but i will do some more research.

 

[madkayaker]

many welders are 400V 1phase as they use two phases to give 400v. just because there is 3phases in the plug doesn't mean that it uses them all

 

[Jack]

i see, i will have to have a closer look.

 

[graffian]

I use a transformer plasma from a home made converter, works fine.