VFD Instructions

This topic has 13 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 18 October 2019 at 16:53 by john fletcher 1.

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17 October 2019 at 11:54 #26904
Clive Brown 1
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@clivebrown1
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17 October 2019 at 11:54 #433657
Clive Brown 1
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@clivebrown1
I'm thinking of buying a cheap (new, £50ish ) VFD from Ebay. Do these items, listed as "unbranded" generally come with programming instructions or is it a case of buyer beware, any experiences?

I've tried emailing the UK? suppliers but no definite answer as yet.

TIA,

Clive
17 October 2019 at 11:56 #433658
Kevin Murrell
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@kevinmurrell62078
Mine was from eBay. Works perfectly. The 'instructions' are a single large sheet of paper with all the programmable settings defined. Takes a bit of looking at, but it's all there.
17 October 2019 at 12:20 #433660
bill ellis
Participant
@billellis45274
I have 2, each from different eBay suppliers, as above they come with a single double sided sheet detailing the configuration parameters and how to set them. Looks complicated at first but really is a doddle.
17 October 2019 at 13:56 #433678
Oldiron
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@oldiron
Mine also came with a 1 sheet instruction "manual" No problems.
17 October 2019 at 14:06 #433679
Paul White 3
Participant
@paulwhite3
Hello all,

can anyone comment on the use of a VFD rated at 1.5 kW on smaller motors, of 1/2 HP RATING.

TIA.

paul.
17 October 2019 at 15:41 #433686
Clive Brown 1
Participant
@clivebrown1
Thanks for responses, seems reasonably encouraging. I've now had further replies from two Ebay vendors. They each say that they will ask their supplier, presumably in China, if instructions are included. I'd have thought that they could at least opened a box and looked. Doesn't bode too well for prompt product support if needed.

Re Paul White's question; I'm no expert but, within reason, I don't think a VFD rating somehat greater than the motor power will cause any problem. The VFD parameters may be settable to the motor size.

Clive
17 October 2019 at 17:28 #433702
Martin Connelly
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@martinconnelly55370
Paul, if you have a 1.5kW motor that is not fully loaded it will seem like a small motor to the VFD. It would be a poorly designed VFD that could only be used with fully loaded motor running at max rated power.

Martin C
17 October 2019 at 19:57 #433736
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
It is likely that a grossly oversized VFD would not recognise an overload for a small motor and let the smoke out of it. I would expect that double might be OK, but 4 times might be OK until a fault occurs… Ie. A 1.5kW VFD would see an overloaded small motor as a normal-size loaded motor.

Edited By not done it yet on 17/10/2019 19:57:53
17 October 2019 at 21:02 #433745
Michael Briggs
Participant
@michaelbriggs82422
With the motor parameters correctly set you should get full motor protection.
18 October 2019 at 13:10 #433807
Paul White 3
Participant
@paulwhite3
Thanks to all respondents , your comments were most helpful .

i had not wished to high jack the thread but

the OP question is pertinent to where I find myself.

Michael Briggs post takes us full circle- does the £50 unit have the set up spec. to allow the

use of small motors.

If Clive ever gets a "manual" I Would be pleased to hear.
18 October 2019 at 14:25 #433816
David Jupp
Participant
@davidjupp51506
Note that the 'understandability' of manuals supplied with VFDs does vary widely.

Some are poor translations or include poor use of English.

Some assume you have lots of technical knowledge, but don't give any basic guidance – or offer a huge wealth of settings and just confuse you.

One advantage of major brands is you can have access to e-mail or telephone based technical advice of a high standard included in the purchase price.

For any VFD with a brand and model number, you should be able to locate the manual on line and then decide if you could work from it.
18 October 2019 at 15:10 #433825
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
The possible difficulty with getting the programming right, they all seem to be different, and not intuitive either caused me to do some research into many different types before getting one.

I bought one from this firm: **LINK**

They are not the cheapest, and VAT is added to their prices, but their own guides in pdf form make the wiring and programming so much easier.
18 October 2019 at 16:53 #433845
john fletcher 1
Participant
@johnfletcher1
If the parameters are set correct no problem using a small motor with a "large inverter". If the inverter for £50 or so is a Huanyang make, and by the appearance it is, I have a program/setting list which I have used for my friends and which you can have a copy. I wish to add, I'm no expert at all, if I can do it I'm sure you will.There appears to a lot of mythology regarding these devices, most of the facilities available are not applicable to the hobby/home workshop users, so just forget about them and ignore them. I think it is good to get away from single phase motors,I know they have been the work horse of the Model Eng. workshop for many years but things have moved on .Some of the currents settings will need to be adjusted/altered for a smaller motor, but once you get the hang of it, as always, you will kick yourself its so easy. As the control voltage is low. it is also easy to make your own control box to give F&R, jog, and speed, unfortunately Maplins have now gone. Little toggle switches and 10K ohm pots are available on the net.Finally, there are some excellent videos on youtube on inverters programming. John
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