I have just purchased a Boxford Lathe

[Brad93]

You just need a three phase motor that runs on 220v.

Wiring up a VFD is pretty simple.
It takes the 220v single phase mains and converts it to three phase.

This is a very simpl Mitsubishi vfd

 

[123hotchef]

ACDC drives.

Thanks I shall take a look later

 

[123hotchef]

You just need a three phase motor that runs on 220v.

Wiring up a VFD is pretty simple.
It takes the 220v single phase mains and converts it to three phase.

Then you need controls don't you

 

[Brad93]

Then you need controls don't you

Only a potentiometer for speed adjustment. You don’t have to have jog and all that stuff

 

[123hotchef]

Only a potentiometer for speed adjustment. You don’t have to have jog and all that stuff

Is that not built into the vfd

 

[Hopefuldave]

Jog's "built in", if you want it you need an extra switch to another terminal to turn it on, is all - the diagram Brad posted is the bare-bones to give forward, stop and reverse plus a knob for speed, other VFDs may have extra control terminals for stuff like programmable fixed speeds, jog, motor set-ups (if you want to use 'em for different motors) etc. but you don't NEED to use them. Most use the bare-bones, or add a brake resistor for faster stops (and faster swap between forward and reverse, e.g. for tapping threads).
One thing to remember is that if running at low speeds (half the motor's nameplate speed or below) the motor's cooling fan won't move as much air so cooling's reduced, if you're likely to do that much it's a Very Good Idea to add an external fan blowing into the fan housing, VFDs often let you program a relay output to switch one on (or better, to switch one OFF once over a specific output frequency) - easiest if you use a mains fan!


(huge, irreplaceable, old motor, big fan, mangled end of a 35-litre oil drum and some foam as an adaptor)

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[123hotchef]

Good idea with the extra fan.

 

[Brad93]

That Mitsubishi VFD is the one I've got on my welding rotator.

 

[Hopefuldave]

Thanks Brad, I've been staring at a 350w DC motor and thinking a rotator would be a nice thing to have...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[Brad93]

I might be buying a proper one soon and will be selling my motor and vfd

 

[123hotchef]

right update on this
the lathe motor runs perfectly fine from a commando plug without the overload switch drawing 4.5 amps
There must be something wrong with the new over-loader that the seller fitted to the Lathe
Any ideas people

 

[Pete.]

Yeah, remove it.

 

[123hotchef]

Yeah, remove it.

great so dont use one at all?

 

[Pete.]

The overload protects the motor if it's overworked or has a fault. In all my days I never had an overload trip out on any machine (except at work) so if it was mine and I thought it was faulty I'd bin it. You can always replace it later if it bothers you.

 

[Brad93]

If the motor burns out that’s a great excuse to buy a new one

 

[123hotchef]

yeh when it burns out it will be the 3 phase and vfd.

I will need some kind of switch though! Unless the breaker counts!

 

[Brad93]

yeh when it burns out it will be the 3 phase and vfd.

I will need some kind of switch though! Unless the breaker counts!

Just a simple DOL starter I’d imagine?

 

[123hotchef]

Just a simple DOL starter I’d imagine?

Light switch?

 

[Brad93]

I’d think this is what you’d need but I’m no electrician. https://www.toolstation.com/dol-sta...OHJes6GseoX-vY-U2-zKKVoi8T6LYR7EaAiN_EALw_wcB

 

[123hotchef]

I’d think this is what you’d need but I’m no electrician. https://www.toolstation.com/dol-sta...OHJes6GseoX-vY-U2-zKKVoi8T6LYR7EaAiN_EALw_wcB

cheers,