Thread: Where can I find an electric motor.

Use the Yellow pages or your equivalent.

I could give you the name of a place in Melbourne, but the shipping costs might be a bit steep...

There are normally some going on Oz ebay, so there probably would be in the UK also. Make sure that you match the speed (RPM) and go for something about 15 to 25% more powerfull that the 3 phase currently fitted as single phase are not as efficient as 3 phase, and don't have the starting torque. Also try and get something with similar shaft sizes and mounting arrangements to avoid a lot of hassle setting up.

Check with your electricity supplier- most will supply to your point of entry free of charge. Supply setup is free, because you will be using more power, which means they will be making more money. You will then need to get it wired from there to your switchboard ans 3 phase outlet by a qualified sparky. This could work out cheaper than messing around with a new motor. Bear in mind there is normally a good reason a 3 phase motor is fitted to something. Starting currents (the thing that causes your lights to flicker) is a real pain, and ultimately you are responsible for the effect your equipment has on the electricity network. Trust me this does happen, particularly with big welders and air conditioner motors with blown or damaged capacitors.

Originally Posted by benja

Check with your electricity supplier- most will supply to your point of entry free of charge. Supply setup is free, because you will be using more power, which means they will be making more money. You will then need to get it wired from there to your switchboard ans 3 phase outlet by a qualified sparky. This could work out cheaper than messing around with a new motor. Bear in mind there is normally a good reason a 3 phase motor is fitted to something. Starting currents (the thing that causes your lights to flicker) is a real pain, and ultimately you are responsible for the effect your equipment has on the electricity network. Trust me this does happen, particularly with big welders and air conditioner motors with blown or damaged capacitors.

So your telling me if I ring my electricity company they can install a 3ph supply for free? my bandsaw is somewhere between 1.1-1.8kw, not sure about amps.

Cheers

Yes and no. They may install it to your point of entry. Depends on your supplier. Note this is only to the point of entry- your property boundary, where the wires meet your house etc, NOT to your switchboard.
1kw is about 4A, 2kw is about 8.7 (watts/Volts).

Made a few calls and it looks like I'll have to pay around $200 for a single phase motor... makes getting an inverter look alot nicer tbh.

I assumed that people kept them and I would be able to pick one up for around $40

I don't know about the UK but a 3ph converter in OZ would cost a lot more than $200

I thought I saw some on ebay the other day 3 hp about $180, but I can't find them now...

Originally Posted by benja

Check with your electricity supplier- most will supply to your point of entry free of charge.

You must have a nicer supplier than I have. Wanted to get 3 phase to our place - estimate was $40K to $50K (needless to say I went down the phase converter route).

I reckon that unless you have 3 phase already running past your place or at least very close to your place, an electricity supplier would charge you.

I have three phase within 50m of my place. The electric company would install three phase for $25,000 PROVIDED I needed 25-30 KVA.

The reason that you can't find a single phase motor is because many people do exactly what you have done. Come by a cheap three phase tool from a closed shop and try to install a single phase motor in the tool. It is rare that a home shop tool (a.k.a. Single phase) is relocated into a commercial environment.

Originally Posted by rrich

I have three phase within 50m of my place. The electric company would install three phase for $25,000 PROVIDED I needed 25-30 KVA.

The reason that you can't find a single phase motor is because many people do exactly what you have done. Come by a cheap three phase tool from a closed shop and try to install a single phase motor in the tool. It is rare that a home shop tool (a.k.a. Single phase) is relocated into a commercial environment.

Yea, if i were going to buy many machines then the inverter would be a no brainer as the cost would be spread. As it is I'm not sure if I'm gunna get another big machine so the inverter would be a waste. Its amazing how much cheaper 3 phase machines are though.