Harrison L5 Starter

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

hi all I have a Harrison L5 with a 2 hp motor running from a converter this works well my problem is the starter which is the one that fits inside the frame there is high and low forward and high and low reverse possible original some times it takes 3 or 4 pushes on the button to get it to start I would like to change to a modern starter but I do not have the knowledge to proceed has anyone done this conversion if so with what starter any help appreciated Derek

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

How good is your converter? If there is a weak phase there is a possibility that the starter is running on that weak phase so does not work as well as expected. If this is the case the simple solution may be to rotate the incoming power lines from the converter. U to V, V to W, W to U. If this does not fix it repeat and try again. Will not cost anything but time to try this and may fix the problem.

Martin

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

After spending the afternoon in the workshop checking the starter I changed all the wires as suggested with the same results some of the contacts are very badly burnt , the converter is some 3 years old from transwave I think I will need more help to go into this problem to get a new starter thanks

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

I would get the original starter serviced if you can, or know a friendly sparks who would do it for you. It is almost impossible to buy anything that is anywhere hear the quality of the original equipment, and if you can find the equivalent quality the price will be astronomical.

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

Thanks for information a Sparks is looking into it in the new year

[WorkshopPeteParticipant @workshoppete]

Hi Scrumpy a thing to remember is that the control circuit of your L5 must be powered from the two phases that have the original supply to. The generated phase can have a wildly varying voltage that can burn out the coils in the starter. I was caught out by this on a 5hp Transwave rotary converter and had to replace the starters FOC for a customer.

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

Sorry for being thick but how would I find the two phases that were original or is it trial and error many thanks for your help

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

If it's a static converter, wiring an unloaded additional 3-phase motor directly to the converter output can be helpful. This runs whenever the converter is powered and will help to balance the 3 output phases, avoiding the issue of only having 2 phases when trying to start the lathe. The extra motor won't consume much power as it isn't doing any work beyond turning itself.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Hi Scrumpy

If your starter has been working OK for a period of time then it indicates the power supply connections are correct. Having to press a start button 3 or 4 times indicates a faulty start switch or interlocked NC contacts on the contactor/s not closed or some other intermittent fault in the control circuit.

The problem start switch may be a mechanical malfunction and just need a contact bar re-shaping. If all functions are pushbutton control you may be able to exchange a lesser used switch (High REV) with the 1 that is not working properly until a new switch arrives. Are all speed and direction functions push button controlled or do you have an electrical multi position selector switch ?

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 02/12/2016 12:15:03

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

I have a multi position selector switch I can get all speeds forward and reverse except the very top the suds pump is 240 volts run from its own supply the lathe goes direct to the transwave via a plug it's been okay for several years except for a accasional blip until the last few months when it's most days hence this post would a inverter work on this motor our would it need to be changed thanks everyone for your help

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Hi Scrumpy

Perhaps the starting problem is poor contact/s used on the selector switch for High Fwd operation.

If the suds motor is 230/240v AC then best to stick with a 13A socket for supply. It may be converted from 400v working by modding the connections and fitting a capacitor, check the motor plate for confirmation of working voltage.

Emgee

[JonParticipant @jon]

Depends which inverter you get not every things 220v.
Newer Harrisons by 30yrs had 400v only non dual voltage so check the motor plate. Earlier ones used a monstrous frame size motor so will have trouble mounting a replacement and or the shaft sizing along with the two long V belts.

Push button start motor runs continuous via clutch to spindle.
Push button stop
Separate forward/reverse lever with stops
Geared head

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Posted by Jon on 02/12/2016 17:07:38:

Depends which inverter you get not every things 220v.
Newer Harrisons by 30yrs had 400v only non dual voltage so check the motor plate. Earlier ones used a monstrous frame size motor so will have trouble mounting a replacement and or the shaft sizing along with the two long V belts.

Push button start motor runs continuous via clutch to spindle.
Push button stop
Separate forward/reverse lever with stops
Geared head..

Hi Jon, are you also Scrumpy or just describing Scrumpy''s lathe ?

Emgee

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