Commissioning my 3 phase lathe

[ukracer]

For what a second hand three phase motor costs it's well worth it. Just wire it up in parallel with the output so it comes on as soon as you turn on the inverter. The extra current draw is minimal but the advantages are great. Your lathe will start up better and run smoother.

What size do I need?

 

[Fazerruss]

Try to get one at least as big as your lathe motor and aim to keep within the max output power of the inverter. My lathe is 2hp but the idler is 1.5hp. I would have liked one bigger but it was free so hey ho. If you exceed the maximum allowance of your inverter though don't panic as the current draw of the idler is next to nowt as it's not driving anything mechanically.

 

[Anguz]

i have possibly suitable idler motors...

 

[Dieselman 63]

Lovely stuff. I wish my Bantam was back together. Restoration is taking forever as things keep getting in the way

 

[addjunkie]

Im using a 3hp on the lathe and 3 hp idler, but nothing as fancy as the voltage and current read outs, have to agree well worth the cost of the extra motor, and a bit of cable. Suds pump happy now too.

 

[Fazerruss]

These are the VA meters. They're very easy to wire up and cost less than a tenner for all three...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/401810437447

 

[Fazerruss]

Lovely stuff. I wish my Bantam was back together. Restoration is taking forever as things keep getting in the way

I have the same problem, so many projects and not enough time. In nearly at the point I want to be with my machinery now to soon start back on with my Lotus 7 style car.

 

[addjunkie]

These are the VA meters. They're very easy to wire up and cost less than a tenner for all three...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/401810437447

Right Ive ordered them, hope your right on the wiring, something else to lie in the roundtoit pile