Problem getting the right parameters on a VFD

[Robert GrahamParticipant @robertgraham80849]

I am refurbishing a planer/thicknesser with 2 off 3 phase motors. The main blades motor is straight forward as it can be converted to delta configuration and driven easily by a VFD at constant speed.

The thicknesser part is less easy as it is a combined motor gearbox assembly and the motor is a 3 phase one that has 6 wires to it and can be switched to 3000 or 1500 rpm. That is really not where my problem lies in that I have another VFD to drive that.

I want the VFD controls to be on the planer with that for the thicknesser being my headache as I can get the drive speed to be varied by 5K variable resistor – that works OK but I cannot get the VFD to start with the external switch. Works OK on the panel controls, but not the external one.

There is nothing on the A3 size instructions sheet that identifies this VFD to a manufacturer, but I found by good luck this website that effectively has the identical instructions and a picture of the control panel on my VFD.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3411474/Vevor-At1-2200x.html#manual

Now if my understanding is correct, page 6 on this ‘Manual’ tells me to use a momentary switch to take terminal X4 from 5 volts to ground to start it. It doesn’t, and it does nothing.

I’ve set the following parameters according to page 11 of the manual :-

P11 to 2 (External Port); P12 to 0 (inertial stop)

and on page 14 I’ve set P50 to 0 to make terminal X1 invalid, and on page 15 I tried setting P65 to 2 (Power on forward) without that having an affect.

Can anyone help me please !!!

I have both a stand drill and a wood working lathe that run off VFD’s so they don’t normally defeat me.

Rob

[Robert Graham]

On 4 April 2025 at 22:06 Robert Graham Said

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3411474/Vevor-At1-2200x.html#manual

Now if my understanding is correct, page 6 on this ‘Manual’ tells me to use a momentary switch to take terminal X4 from 5 volts to ground to start it. It doesn’t, and it does nothing.

I have what I think is a similar VFD on my Fobco drill which is switched remotely. I can’t recall my settings, but my reading of p6 of your link is that X4 is to be connected to “com” not ground using an SPST switch, not momentary.

HTH

[Robert GrahamParticipant @robertgraham80849]

Many thanks for getting back.

The slight irony here is that it is a Fobco drill that I too successfully attached a remote switching and speed control to – but that was an RS inverter that I got from Ebay for a few pounds 15 or so years ago.  I’ve been out to check that, and it is an SPST switch.

But regardless of that, a momentary switch held in should have started it, and it didn’t.  Just to make sure I changed it for an SPST one, and still got no response.

I’m afraid that ‘Ground’ and ‘Com’ are so often the same thing that the terms get easily crossed over.  There is no ‘earth’ terminal on my inverter!!

Rob

 

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

Have you set the correct sub parameters under Pset 50  for your chosen input terminal?

You could try ‘wire forward’ for a NO locking switch or possibly or ‘keying forward’ for a momentary contact switch, you may also need a second momentary switch to another input to key off again for key inputs.

The trouble with these poorly documented units is the translation of function operation is not always clear and there is no diagrammatic example operation. You just have to get your chosen switch(s) and spend a few hours with the unit on the bench testing the various permutations and combinations to your satisfaction.

Not quite sure why X1 needs to be disabled. You can use any of the ports for your input if they are configured correctly.

My first choice would be to use a normal latching switch (on /off) and try ‘wire forward’  (setting 5 on whatever port you are using) then work from there…good luck!

according to the manual there is an earth look for GND next to the mains AC input on front panel.  Your motor should be tied back to this earth also. Gnd in this contest is referring to the HV side (ie incoming and motor lines).
Com is the Low Voltage control side.

[Craig BrownParticipant @craigbrown60096]

As best as I can make out, switching (needs to be latched) to X4 just sets your FWD direction, you still need to tell the VFD to start/run. So setting P11 to 2 I would say is correct.

I would wire a switch to X1 (ideally a relay output driven by a start/stop circuit) and set P50 to maybe 3? Could be a multitude of options due to the poor instructions.

Leave P65 as 0.

Try that

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

This tends to illustrate one of the issues with some ‘economy’ VFDs – very poor documentation.

There can be many different options for how to control a VFD – set up by a combination of wiring and internal settings.

Often a ‘3 wire’ start/stop circuit is an option – a ‘run enable’ input is powered (or grounded) via a normally closed STOP button, and a normally open START button button actually starts the motor when pressed (as long as the enable is connected).  Both buttons would be non-latching.

There are other ways to set these up – a single run signal may be used if controlled from a PLC or if you only want motor to run whilst button is pressed.

Some VFDs may need you to ‘clear errors’ before it will operate at all – you may be able to assign the ‘clear errors/reset’ function to the same input as used for the START button, or in some cases you might want a separate reset button.

Good luck with working it out.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Robert, here’s some notes I made a while ago when I bought an AT1 to use for one of my machines.
I’ve revised them slightly here; apologies if come of the wording is a bit clumsy.
Most refer to Parameters 50-55 regarding connections X1-6 and the COMmon connection.
Specifically I wanted two separate press to start & stop buttons, and another toggle/rotary for forward/reverse.
I also added a pot for speed control on the tapping machine.
These notes are only regarding start/stop/reverse functions, nothing to do with motor protection etc.

N.B. My VFD isn’t Vevor, but labelled AT1, and the manual looks similar.
Nor have I had anyone proofread the notes for me, so use with care.
I set up a bank of switches and a small motor on my workbench and observed what happened when I changed various parameters.

For anybody struggling with the XSY AT series VFD manual cryptic control parameter descriptions, based on my limited testing. I hope this will be useful to someone. Further details set out below:

As suspected, all 6 of the analogue inputs are configure as active high, meaning the control logic is activated by an input signal and not an interruption of signal. There appears to be no way of changing this.

The VFD in its default state set no signal input to the non running condition.

The permissible control inputs are restricted, but do allow for continuous contacts via a latching switch (described as ‘wire’ switching, or momentary contact via a non latching push button arrangement described as ‘key or keying’.

The more useful input parameters for the 6 analogue input block locations X1 –X6 Parameter  values 50 to 55 are as follow:

SET VALUE 1 wire control stop  This changes the VFD default condition to run on power. With contact between com and terminal, the attached motor will not run; with no contact, the device will revert to the previous control state. It is unlikely that many workshop users will need to use this Set Value.

SET VALUE 2 keying stop   Should really say key start/stop.
This uses a single non latching push button control to activate the motor. Push the button once for on, push same button again to turn off.
It requires a contact set that is NO, or ‘push to make’ linking com and the terminal set as P2.
Maybe useful if you only have one button! (NO = Normally Open)

SET VALUE 3 keying operation This changes state from default non run condition to the motor run condition, and uses a single non latching push button control with a contact set that is NO.
Pushing the button starts the motor, further button pushes have no effect unless the status has been changed by the input to another terminal.

SET VALUE 4 stop keying This changes control state from the run condition to a stop condition and uses a single non latching push button control with a contact set that is NO.
Pushing the button changes motor run state to motor off but will have no effect
( it may however interrupt jog mode if pressed during jogging ops ).
Values 3 and 4 are used normally used in conjunction, to enable a two button RUN and STOP control (if that is what you want).

SET VALUE 5 and 6 wire forward operation wire reverse operation These require a latched contact between com and terminal. Forward and reverse are relative conditions, so need to be set in the context of your particular application.
Used if a toggle switch or rotary switch operation is required.
For example, you might set com on the centre of a single pole 2 way switch, centre off, with rev one way and forward as the other.
N.B. leaving the machine switched to run and starting the VFD a couple of days later without remembering will result in a start up on powering the VFD.
You may want to set Parameter 65 to avoid this.

SET VALUE 9 wire reversing switch This changes the run state from forward to reverse. When latched, setting the motor to run by another terminal, will cause the motor to run in the reverse direction. Unlatching will restore the original direction of rotation. Normally used with a simple toggle/rocker switch in conjunction with a wire run or key run input.

SET VALUE 10, 11, 12 keying commands These are not well described in the manual.
P10 should really say Key forward/reverse switching). They are all momentary inputs requiring non latching NO push button control.
P10 allows a single push button to change motor direction, pressing this will reverse the active run direction.
This function will only operate in conjunction with other keying commands
(i.e. value 3 or 11 or 12 in the active condition).
P11 will start the motor only in the forward direction, P 12 will start the motor only in the reverse direction.

SET VALUE 17, 18 jog forward / reverse Self evident, use if you want a jog function. Can be used with a latching switch to connect com to terminal to hold in jog or NO non latching if you just want to ‘blip’ the rotation for a part rotation. See Params 86 onward for controlling the jog frequency braking etc.

SET VALUE 19 E stop FWIW, a stop switch and all round missed opportunity. Requires a NO contact mode for your e-stop input. Can be implemented as latching or instant. Latching is preferable as it sets an interlock and prevents normal or jog start until unlatched.
If you don’t have a latching e-stop, I suggest you also wire into another terminal set with P16 so it sets a fault condition at the drive as ERR 9 preventing further unwanted starts until the cause of the panic has been sorted and the VFD re-set.

Unfortunately, there appears to be no way of setting a braking function on the E-stop, the condition when you most want to stop the rotation instantly. You can set the brake to operate on the normal stop where you don’t really need it, but it doesn’t implement in the E-stop.

Bill

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

As I understand Robert’s post:

• He has an unknown VFD that came with an A3 instruction sheet, not a manual.
• What’s on the A3 sheet appears to match the manual for a Vevor AT1-2200X.
• Vevor are a rebadging box-shifter, not a manufacturer.  Therefore not unreasonable to assume Robert’s VFD is one of the generic AT1 family.  Except it might not be! Or the VFD may be another member of the family, not a 2200X.
• Robert thought the switches should be momentary types when the AT1 series uses latching.  This may have resulted in unproductive changes.
• Based on the Vevor AT1-2200X manual, Robert changed a number of parameters.
• Even if the VFD is an AT1-2200, the manuals aren’t crystal clear, more aide-memoire for experienced installers than a how to beginner course.

Lots of room for confusion.  Possibly the VFD settings are wrong relative to the standard switch connections, so nothing will work!  Therefore, I suggest the first step is to restore the VFD configuration to factory default.   If this is an AT1 setting P77 to 54321 should do the trick.   If it doesn’t, the VFD probably isn’t an AT1-2200X, and more detective work is needed.

Check all connections, fit latching switches, (or test with temporary jumper wires).   Use the COM terminals as per diagram.  (‘COM is electronics for Common’ – ie signal ground.)

With a multimeter, confirm the speed control pot puts between 0 and 5V onto terminal CL/VLI when turned.  The motor won’t spin unless VLI/CI is lifted above 0V.   The pot may be faulty or the wrong value.   I’d expect the pot to be a 5k Linear type – not critical – but too low a value could short the 5V terminal, and too high a resistance may not provide enough current to activate the VFD.  A Log type pot may have to be turned a long way before the motor activates, avoid Log in this application!

If it still doesn’t work, try changing P11 to 2 (external control).

Unfortunately I don’t have an AT1 to experiment on, but the above is what I’d try.

I can’t match Peak4’s informative post, which takes us into advanced configuration.   He shows why VFDs being highly configurable is a problem even with a top-notch manual.  Options galore: control, start/stop accelerations, speed and torque management, braking, temperature, current and voltage limits,and more  Making full use of VFD parameters, even a simple AT1, requires a deep understanding of the motor and it’s application.   Not difficult to mess up parameters, – you can guess how I know!  It’s why most units have a quick way of restoring factory defaults, though finding ‘how to’ isn’t always easy…

Dave

 

[Robert GrahamParticipant @robertgraham80849]

So many thanks to you all for your inputs which are clearly all usable advice, but then a plan of action has to be formulated to use that advice, and that may not be quite so easy !!!!

I suppose I did suspect that the name Vevor was just a badge, but then that did at least give me a starting point for my original query.

One thing that I didn’t include in that original post was that this is the thicknesser drive motor that I am fighting with.  Originally it had a clever switching arrangement that modified the windings to give either a 2800 rpm motor or 1440 – there are 6 wires from the connection box.  I’ve had this motor and drive chain running in the last few days (in the planer/thicknesser, and don’t please suggest taking it back out again!!!) using the VFD in control panel mode.  I did some time back take this motor out and dismantle to see if I could convert it to delta configuration, but trying to find the two star points was a nightmare so I abandoned that and  reassembled it.  Too get the end plate with its bearing to fit again, I heated that up in the oven, and chilled the whole case in the deep freeze, and it all came together ‘relatively’ easily.

The significance of all that spiel is that this motor is still a 3 phase 400vac one and the VFD is actually the AT4 version.  I suppose I may to have accept that this could well be this the reason why I’m having difficulties with it, but the inference is that the control electronics is all the same.

Anyway I like the factory reset idea as the starting point, and then I will work through all the data that you have all kindly given me, and hope that when I do succeed I will be able to add back my pennyworth.

Rob

 

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

The significance of all that spiel is that this motor is still a 3 phase 400vac one and the VFD is actually the AT4 version.  I suppose I may to have accept that this could well be this the reason why I’m having difficulties with it.

Why is that a problem? If you have an AT4  single to 3 phase VFD, it will  be set up to deliver a nominal 380v. Clearly, if the VFD works from the device panel as you say, it can be set up to run from the terminal, provided you set the required parameters correctly.

FWIW I suggest restoring the unit to factory default is regarded as a last resort, as results may not be entirely predictable.   Rather investigate, input and test the likely parameter options for your terminal operating requirements. Have a thick notebook and a sharp pencil to hand as you go through the process. You can reverse any undesired changes as you make them.

[Robert GrahamParticipant @robertgraham80849]

provided you set the required parameters correctly.

Thanks Martin – yes !!  But one has to allow for Sod’s Law!!

One of the reasons for included the extended description was to tell anyone who has been following this thread that the use of thermal expansion and contraction does work for putting motors back together.

Thanks for your warning about factory resetting and the recommendation of recording what does or does not work.

That is a wet day task and we seemingly are not having many of those at the moment – unfortunately!!!!!!

Rob

[Robert Graham]

On Robert Graham Said:

Many thanks for getting back.

The slight irony here is that it is a Fobco drill that I too successfully attached a remote switching and speed control to – but that was an RS inverter that I got from Ebay for a few pounds 15 or so years ago.  I’ve been out to check that, and it is an SPST switch.

But regardless of that, a momentary switch held in should have started it, and it didn’t.  Just to make sure I changed it for an SPST one, and still got no response.

I’m afraid that ‘Ground’ and ‘Com’ are so often the same thing that the terms get easily crossed over.  There is no ‘earth’ terminal on my inverter!!

Rob

 

Even the Vevor unit in that link has an earth terminal on the mains side

[Robert GrahamParticipant @robertgraham80849]

Hi guys – one of the problem with the massive range of parameters that exist with this VFD is that when one asks for guidance, the information that comes back is almost overwhelming.

The other factor is that at last we’ve had a wet day for me to concentrate less on the garden, etc. and more on things which are not weather dependent.

It was ‘Martin of Wicks’ guidance – and with all due respect to everyone else who added massively to my understanding you may well have said the same thing: that ‘Wire’ seems to be translated as a Normally Open push button switch, and ‘Keying’ seems to be a Momentary switch.

I changed Parameter 50 to 5 (‘Wire Forward’), so with Parameter 11 set to 2 (‘External Port’), the VFD now responds as hoped using a NO SPST switch.

So many thanks to you all, particularly “Peak4’s” input that was pretty remarkable in its detailing. I used his comment about “leaving the machine switched to run and starting the VFD a couple of days later without remembering will result in a start up on powering the VFD. You may want to set Parameter 65 to avoid this” – it shows ‘Err 5’ now with P65 set to ‘1’.

Many thanks to all – Rob

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