Vfd conversion

Vfd conversion

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  • #843038
    landy123
    Participant
      @landy123
      1. Hi, Following on from my purchase of a Boxford model A that came with a 3 phase 415v motor ( not 220v ) I am pondering a new motor and vfd to get it running, any tips on what to go for please. Thanks
      #843051
      duncan webster 1
      Participant
        @duncanwebster1

        Take the terminal cover off the motor. If it has 6 connections with jumpers you can probably just reconnect it to run on 220 from vfd. If in doubt post a photo. It might even say 415/220 on yhd motor plate

        #843129
        Charles Lamont
        Participant
          @charleslamont71117

          Even if the motor is not dual voltage, I think you would just need a VFD with a 415V output.

          #843132
          noel shelley
          Participant
            @noelshelley55608

            Largely depends on your knowledge of electrics, motors Etc and how much money you want to spend. leave it as it is at 415v and get a converter eg transwave, buy a 415v VFD, if dual voltage, links in for 220v or if not find star point and rewire to 220v then use a steinmetz circuit or just go out and buy a 220v VFD. It may be a good idea to get a wiring diagram and check what control or lighting circuitry is in place as this could cause problems. Good luck.  Noel.

            #843142
            john fletcher 1
            Participant
              @johnfletcher1

              With the terminal box lid removed its usual to find a diagram of what is required to convert from Star to Delta, may be yours has a diagram ? If your motor has two rows of three terminals and one row is linked together using 3 brass links or pieces of wire, then it can easily be converted to 220 volts. The row with the links needs connecting using the links, top terminal to one below, all three along. I’ve sent you a PM.  John

              #843147
              Bazyle
              Participant
                @bazyle

                The original motor for my Model A was not designed for dual voltage though yours is slightly newer. Digging out the star point on such an old motor will damage the insulation. Just put a  500W single phase motor on it and get going. If the back gear isn’t damaged you have a good range of speeds anyway.
                Later on you can get a 3ph motor/vfd but it will cost more than the lathe. 400v output vfds are more expensive and mostly need 415 input. If someone does know  a 240 to 415 low cost vfd I’d like to hear of it as I have a few motors I could then use.

                #843151
                John Haine
                Participant
                  @johnhaine32865

                  If the motor is 415V and star connected, then when running each winding has 240V across it.  If the windings are re-connected in delta, which will be very easy if both ends of each winding are brought out to separate terminals as Duncan says, the motor will run at full power from a 220V VFD.  One thing to watch out for is that you keep the ends of each winding that are presently connected to the mains input connected in the same way.  The other end of the winding is then connected to one of the other mains inputs.  It is possible if you don’t keep a record of what’s connected where, to get one of the windings reversed, and then the motor won’t run properly.  If you get all correct but find the motor runs in reverse just swap two of the 3 phase input connections.

                  220V output VFDs are significantly cheaper than 415V as no step-up is needed from a normal 230V mains supply.

                  #843211
                  duncan webster 1
                  Participant
                    @duncanwebster1

                    A very old delta connected motor might not be suited to running off a 415v inverter. Something to do with bearings and or insulation

                    #843233
                    Robert Atkinson 2
                    Participant
                      @robertatkinson2

                      If you don’t have a lot of electrical experience get a new motor and drive package fron Newton Tesla.
                      If you are happy with electrics buy a decent quality VFD and a new motor.
                      See post https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/topic/warco-gh1330-conversion-from-440v-to-240v/#post-842429 for an example of a similar installation.

                      For an older star connected motor it is more effective to get a new motor unless you really want to learn about motors and rebuild it.

                      Robert.

                      #843250
                      landy123
                      Participant
                        @landy123

                        Thanks for the reply’s and an update is that the motor plate shows 415v only so I’m assuming it won’t work with vfd….bugger

                        #843253
                        John Haine
                        Participant
                          @johnhaine32865

                          Have you taken off the terminal cover plate?  If 6 terminals are exposed then it can be connected in delta to run on 220V.  Duncan has a good point though I have an old 3ph motor on my mill that runs perfectly happily on a VFD.  But a Newton Tesla package can be recommended.

                          #843285
                          Julie Ann
                          Participant
                            @julieann
                            On landy123 Said:

                            …the motor plate shows 415v only so I’m assuming it won’t work with vfd…

                            A 415VAC motor will run fine on a VFD outputting 230VAC 3-phase. But it won’t produce rated power as the torque will be limited by the lack of voltage to produce rated phase currents.

                            Julie

                            #843342
                            Martin Cargill
                            Participant
                              @martincargill50290

                              Have a look in the terminal box. As has already been said if it has six terminals then it can be swapped from star to delta. There are some motors with four terminals. There will be one wire on each of the three terminals and three on the fourth terminal. This type can be converted to delta by taking the three wires off the single (neutral) terminal and putting one wire onto each of the three terminals (just make sure that you do not fit the ends of the same winding onto the same terminal as the motor will just sit still).

                              If the motor has only three wires then it is permanent star connected. If you open up the motor and look inside there will be three wires connected together to form a star point. It should be possible (with some care) to split the star point apart and add another three wires, bringing them out into the terminal box and then configuring the six ends into a delta configuration.

                              Obviously any re-configuration of the winding connection has to be done with some care but it should be within the skill set of a careful amateur.

                               

                              Martin

                              #843406
                              not done it yet
                              Participant
                                @notdoneityet

                                This thread looks remarkably similar to one on facebook, where all the options were spelt out.

                                #845748
                                landy123
                                Participant
                                  @landy123

                                  Hi, Thanks for the reply and my apologies for not keeping up, my motor plate states 415v only but there are 6 terminals in the box, so am I able to wire the terminals to run off a vfd 240v

                                  #845752
                                  John Haine
                                  Participant
                                    @johnhaine32865

                                    Can you take the lid off the box and take a photo for us? 6 terminals usually means 3 phase windings so it’s a question of how they are connected.  If currently star connected then reconnect in delta will do it.

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