Thread: Same machine & HP - go for 1 Ph or 3 Ph?

If you shoulder the expense of putting in 3 phase, then get the 3 phase dusty, and everything else too. Once you have 3PH your motors use power more efiiciently and cost less to run. Only downside is that the resale will be lower, cause most of us punters don't have 3PH, hence your market is cut by 90%

However.... have you checked the cost of putting it on yet?

I can be ruinous.

Hi,

3Ph is more cost / energy efficient to run. 2nd hand machinary is cheaper to buy too. the downside is that it costs a fair bit to have installed/wired. 1Ph is your normal 240v ac.

as an example my holz profi 310stpv comes as a 1ph 3hp, it can also come as a 3ph 4.5?hp. it does the same thing. i dont know what the extra horses are for as my 1ph unit will take 8mm off a slab of hardwood 12 inches wide NO SWEAT.

just choose an option and run with it - i dont think it makes too much diff except at the higher end where you get some big HP like 5.5hp or 6.5hp (like on the high end tables or reverse cycel aircon...) the 3ph is probably the go if you want to future proof your w/s (?)

cheers

Hi Flying,

Not too sure how much difference it will make with your dust extractor, but as a retailer of both single phase and three phase machines, I usually recommend to my customers to go for three phase power whenever possible.

Reasons;
* Three phase motors are cheaper to run and cheaper to buy
* Three phase motors deliver a more 'constant' power (someone may be able to explain that better than me )
* With three phase power available, you can get much larger motors in your machines. Single phase motors are normally a maximum 3 HP (4 HP in our machines , but the trade-off is a 20amp circuit :eek: ) whereas in three phase you can get motors with much higher HP using far less amps.

Normally the only downside to three phase power is getting it connected to your property / shed and the $$$ involved, as well as the price involved with plugs, sockets, etc.

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse.

I have had 3 phase for years (it cost nothing to connect then) and it has paid off handsomely. Old industrial machines are cheap because no one wants them in industry and few hobbiests have 3 phase. Gear head pedestal drills are serious bikkies around $2000, mine cost $150!! A 450 amp stick welder was $60 and my 8'' jointer was $250, It pays off. The reason it gives a smoother motor performance is that a single phase power supply has a null period where it crosses zero voltage where a 3 phase unit always has power on (I think thats right, any sparkies here?)

[quote=Felder]
Reasons;

* Three phase motors deliver a more 'constant' power (someone may be able to explain that better than me )
quote]

Single phase motors overload when constant load is applied and start running hotter

Three phase will run at a constant speed when heavier loads are applied and will still run cooler as it is not pulling as much amps as a single phase

Cheers DJ

ps when I put my shed back up it will have three phase

Three phase will save on runing costs over time, also remember 1hp is 1hp 1ph or 3ph. I don,t know about pricing in Brisbane but here in Adelaide it is costing me app. $4,000.00 to have 3ph connected to my new shop all new instalations have to go underground despite the fact that there are already overhead lines running past my property

Thanks for the replies.

As far as the expense of installing 3 phase goes, I managed to buy 4 x 100 m rolls of 16 mm2 cable at $140 each before the copper prices shot through the roof (it is 75 m from the road to my shed).

I can also get the outlets, C/B's etc etc at discounted prices. I will dig the trench and lay the cable myself, so it will only take a sparkie about a hour to do the final wiring up. Consdering all this, I reckon I can set up 3 phase for less than $1000.

Considering all the good things I have read about 3 phase, I think this might be the way to go. Only drawback is if I ever want to sell a machine to upgrade or other reasons, then I won't get much for it.

hey Duck, I'll have near new 5 hp 3 phase motor for sale at the end of the week.......interested
I can't have 3 phase in my new shed without selling the shed to finance it

I dont think in a dusty it will make a blind bit of difference.
Get 3 phase on by all means.
but the big advantage is when buying second hand or when you need realy beefy stuff.
It'll cost you a hell of a lot less to connect your single phase dusty.

I bet the 3 phase one don't come with a plug, and then there is the wall socket to buy. You probably wont get any change out of $200 for a line plug and a wall combination, even going direct wire a 3 pole industrial isollator will cost you $100 ish.

cheers

Mmmmmm.....3 Phase.... Gotta Love it....Eh?

II hand 3phase 3hp lathe $400.
New from H&F $11,000.
Love 3 phase used gear.

Where are some good places to shop around for used 3 phase gear?

Originally Posted by FlyingDuck

Where are some good places to shop around for used 3 phase gear?

Felder NSW Pty Ltd

Seriously, most machine retailers will sell second hand stuff. People often trade machines in when purchasing a new one.
There are also a few dedicated second hand machinery places around. I don't personally know of any in Brissy, but someone here will.
Auctions are another good option for picking up a bargain, but you normally won't get to try or use the machine before you own it......

try Hare and Forbe sin Parramatta NSW - they have a huge selection...

Get yourself a copy of the "Plant & Equipment" magazine.

There is a couple of places in brisbane that sell second hand electrical stuff , I can't remember the name but they advertise in that magazine.

For Machines try Nev Buyers?? at Kamac Merchants in Eagle Farm. Have bought some stuff from there and he is good to deal with.

Edit: Remebered the name...For electrical try Absoe Business Equipment in West End. Bought a heap of gear, points cable and lights when Dad and I did the shed extension.