Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default Low Budget level VFD

    A mate of mine asked me if I would help him convert his 3P Hercus to SP plus VFD.
    The motor was star connected so step one was to convert to delta.

    I then asked him whether he would like to go "Low budget", "middle of the road" or "higher end VFD" and he said he wanted to keep costs was low as possible so, with some reservation, I ordered a $110 (including shipping) no-name VFD from ebay. On ebay ad the main picture posted in the ad was for a Huanyang lookalike but the actual item was not the same as you can see below. I was going to complain but when I checked back on the ad, one of the several pictures did look like the one that arrived Once GST is applied these units are the same price direct from china. The ad said the item was based in Sydney and it must have been in Oz because it arrived by Oz post in 8 days.

    CheapVFD.jpg

    The unit is reasonably tidy looking but I found it had a number of issues.

    1) The VFD came out of the box with a 400Hz default top speed. This has happened to me before and most ordinary electric motors won't like this. If the VFD has enough smarts it will sense a problem and cut the power but I wasn't prepared to try this out.

    2) The VFD comes with a 46 page manual, 23 pages in english and 23 pages in chinese. The english section is brief but clear enough although maybe a bit tricky for someone that has never installed a VFD before

    3) There are 35 programmable parameters , compared to 180 parameters for a real Huanyang and many hundreds for something like a Powtrans. OK most of these have little relevance for something like a basic installation, but a really important parameter that is missing one is the ability to set motor current limit and now I will have to do something else to manage this. This is especially important as this motor is 3/4HP and the VFD is 1HP, so long term, overcurrent heating could be be a problem.

    4) Like many cheaper VFDs these days the HV terminals are neither fully covered nor restrained. Several of the cheaper Powtrans (PI130s) are like this but usually I install these inside vented cabinets and use cable glands on the cabinet to restrain cables. The mate said he's going to install the VFD inside a transparent box but I still had visions of the cables being torn away during any installation so I installed an Al backing plate with cable glands as shown above. Some sort of cover could be placed between the glands and VFD but the cover would need to be some sort of grille because the VFD cooling fan will need to have access to air.
    The top of backing plate has two keyhole supporting slots that should also make it easy to install.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Let me know how you go. I will most likely need one at some stage to run a machine.

    I quite like the one Conon sell called Folinn:

    1.5kw/2HP 240V Single Phase Variable Frequency Compact Drive Inverter VSD VFD

    Can't find a manual online for these things however which is annoying in this day and age.

    I like that they come in a small factor form (on the right):

    Folinn.jpg

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft View Post
    Let me know how you go. I will most likely need one at some stage to run a machine.
    Mate has been running his lathe on that VFD for two weeks - he's really happy with it.

    I quite like the one Conon sell called Folinn:
    1.5kw/2HP 240V Single Phase Variable Frequency Compact Drive Inverter VSD VFD
    Can't find a manual online for these things however which is annoying in this day and age.
    I like that they come in a small factor form (on the right):
    I like them too but I think they are a touch over priced. However, the two year Aussie warranty can be a peace of mind for some people. I've installed about 30 new (and Half a dozen used) VFDs ranging from the super budget one mentioned in this thread through to a high end Honeywell 7.5HP unit. (some of my installs RE DESCRIBED HERE VFD install summaries)

    Never had a warranty problem with any of them.

Similar Threads

  1. Budget level dust exposure measurements
    By BobL in forum DUST EXTRACTION
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 29th July 2016, 05:44 PM
  2. Stanley Rule and Level Co no93 Spirit Level
    By Sapling in forum HAND TOOLS - UNPOWERED
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 24th May 2010, 07:23 PM
  3. How level is level - For a lathe
    By Pat in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 21st December 2009, 08:37 AM
  4. On a budget?
    By PeterS in forum ROUTING FORUM
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 2nd December 2004, 11:03 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •