Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 16
-
6th June 2009, 08:36 PM #1
Advice re: Converting 3phase to single phase
Hi experts,
We are about to move to a new house and I have just discovered that 3phase power is not available. This is a bit of a problem since I have a shed full of 3phase machines that I was expecting to be able to use (spent the last two years sourcing some nice machines). I am considering either changing the motors to single phase. If this is not feasible I may consider replacing them all with equivalent single phase if possible however I reckon this will probably be costly. I have the following machines:
Wadkin panel saw - 3HP
500mm thicknesser - 5HP (expect that I could not get this in single phase)
300mm planer - 3HP
Anyone have comments, suggestions or have been in this situation before?
Len Nielsen
-
6th June 2009 08:36 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Age
- 2010
- Posts
- Many
-
6th June 2009, 09:57 PM #2
i am in that situation now... and i am selling all my gear. many people on this site have recommended me to convert ....but after talking to an electrical engineer, i have decided to buy something that is designed to be the way it is and not modified. it was my personal choice in this matter. i was going to get a converter box made...but you need one pacific to each need, that is one per unit. too much money for me to do. i will buy new gear that requires single phase. good luck
-
6th June 2009, 11:00 PM #3
3hp on single phase is not a problem. 5hp will require a dedicated circuit, either hard wired or with a w20 or 25 amp plug (check with sparky). Probably cheaper and easier than an inverter.
Mick"If you need a machine today and don't buy it,
tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."
- Henry Ford 1938
-
8th June 2009, 12:14 AM #4
have a look at this
http://www.phasechanger.com/?gclid=C...FUcwpAodtjROdw
-
8th June 2009, 12:29 PM #5
-
9th June 2009, 12:07 AM #6SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Meadow Springs, WA
- Age
- 76
- Posts
- 574
-
9th June 2009, 12:58 AM #7
Thanks for the feedback and advice everyone,
I have been speaking further to the electrician about either using single phase machines or possibly trying a phase converter. However, it seems that due to the total capacity available (I think this is approx 28 amps) I have limited options for machinery. The advice is that using single phase machines I would probably not be able to run much more than 3 HP in the shed at any time. Not much good for remilling old jarrah and especially not when you want to run a 2 hp dust extractor at the same time.
So, I am waiting on a quote to get a new 3phase connection from the road (100m away) - which I expect will probably require a comfortable seat and soothing music....
I have my fingers crossed that I wont be trading woodwork for macrame! Might be some bargain machinery available of this forum if this is the case.
-
9th June 2009, 09:53 AM #8
Materials to run about 100m of 25mm2 of 4 core wire and 50mm conduit underground will set you back around $2500. You need to hire a trencher (1 day) and buy a pole ($800) and pay a sparky to hook it up at both ends.
If you can get a sparky to agree to you doing the leg work then it will probably cost you less than $5,000. I did the same thing but I have a backhoe and my mate is the sparky.
I don't think you should be looking at if from a woodwork only perspective as you would be upgrading your entire supply which was probably done a long time ago.
If I couldn't afford to do this I would buy the 3Hp motors single phase motors ($1200 for three of them) and change over the motors. You can keep the same switchgear as far as I am aware.
-
9th June 2009, 09:30 PM #9
Thanks Boban,
Will be speaking more to the sparky after he has done his sums. I am hoping to do the leg work too so your figure might be right. The location is prone to rock so this could complicate things a bit. Pity you were not in WA with that backhoe of yours!
Len
-
10th June 2009, 06:33 PM #10
Three phase may not be available in the street either pending how rural you are.
(cost of a new tranny just may be a little exclusive)
This website is excellent for ball park prices for motors etc
http://www.roycecross.com.au/product...iable&Variable[cat1]=Variable+Speed+Drives&Variable[cat2]=Teco+VF+Drives&Variable[cat3]=240V+Input+VFD&Variable[searchfilter]=-1&Variable[sqlFilter]=-1&pager=1&startpage=1
Another option would be to buy a single to 3 phase variable speed drive. with 3 different set ups programmed in.
But this option along with the phase changer I linked above which they just happen to sell as well would mean unplugging and replugging of different motors all the time which is a pata.(you could get your spark to set up a rotary switch to select which motor is connected via a few contactors and a switchboard if you can get your mits on this kinda stuff.
I throw this stuff away all the time and then when I want it I havent got it.....
cheers Peter.
-
10th June 2009, 06:47 PM #11SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Feb 2004
- Location
- kuranda north qld
- Posts
- 717
have seen vfd that convert 1phase to 3 on ebay usa to run 5hp .and 3hp are easy to source .although can be expensive . you may find the machinery you have . can have the motors changed to single phase providing they can fit the motor to your machines . would check you can get the power with your existing s/board . else stanley make some nice planes , best of luck bob
-
10th June 2009, 07:51 PM #12
HI Len,
Recently had to convert an old Woodfast combination from 3hp 3 phase to single phase. About $400.00 for same size and speed motor plus $200.00 for another wire to be added so I could get a reverse switch. Costly but cheaper than buying a new machine.
Cheers
SteveDiscover your Passion and Patience follows.
www.fineboxes.com.au
-
10th June 2009, 09:27 PM #13SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jun 2004
- Location
- Kyabram. Vic
- Posts
- 826
Johncs,
What is the problem with RPC's that you alluded to?
Is it brand specific; or is it a generic thing?
I would be interested to know as I am about to place an order for a 4kw unit.
Ken
-
10th June 2009, 11:16 PM #14
Johncs I am a sparky as well and unless your brother has actually used one of those devices how would he know?
I wire up motors everyday.
Fans and pumps for air conditioning
I supervised the installation and personally commissioned over 200 variable speed drives last year along with a truckload of DOL motors as well.
Those phase invertor things I found appear to be have been used in industry for sewage pumping sitiuations and so I would have no qualms reccomending one for home use on a tablesaw etc...not that I have ever used one. They are no doubt the goods that deliver!
It appears they are exporting them as well!
With regard to variable speed drives
I have installed single to 3 phase variable speed drives on the occasion when we have been given bad info by the air con company and run 1 phase cables down four floors and across 60 metres of building to find when the fans were installed 3 working days before xmas they were 3 phase and of course they had to work prior to break up. The A C company decided the fastest fix would be 240Volt(1 phase) to 3 phase variable speed drives.... I installed them 3 years ago and haven't been back.... There is a catch though ( The motors must be suitable for a 240 delta connection (not 415 star) like most no load on start up 3 phase gear.
cheers Peter
-
11th June 2009, 04:14 PM #15
I use a static phase converter in my shed to run a large saw (7HP) and 3HP dusty. I have not had any trouble with it, even though the quality of the "output" is supposed to be lower than that of an RPC.
I think that phase converters are a great (and can be quite inexpensive) solution to running 3 phase gear off single phase, FOR CERTAIN APPLICATIONS. I wouldn't, for instance, hook up expensive and sensitive electronic gear to a phase converter. I might however consider running that sort of gear of a VFD depending on the quality of the output.Cheers.
Vernon.
__________________________________________________
Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.
Similar Threads
-
Hercus 3 phase lathe, single phase supply
By Pete F in forum THE HERCUS AREAReplies: 51Last Post: 16th January 2009, 10:15 AM -
replacing three phase motor with single phase
By rev in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 18Last Post: 16th December 2007, 04:32 PM -
Converting 3-phase compressor to single phase
By Big Shed in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 12Last Post: 20th November 2007, 06:06 AM -
single to 3phase conversion
By ajward in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 15Last Post: 25th August 2006, 05:52 PM -
Upgrading to 3 phase motors from single phase
By boban in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 7Last Post: 28th March 2005, 03:28 PM