Phase-A-matic converter

B

Bob Kingsbury

New member
Just wondering if any one has hooked up a phase converter on a
1 hp bridgeport milling machine. I have just installed one and with a good
switch and motor, it doesn't work
 
Bob Kingsbury said:
Just wondering if any one has hooked up a phase converter on a
1 hp bridgeport milling machine. I have just installed one and with a good
switch and motor, it doesn't work
Click to expand...

Bob,
I run a Series 1, 3 phase 1 hp Bridgeport with variable speed drive on a rural single phase service with a phase converter and it runs fine. However my phase converter is a rotary type, not a transformer type. I mention this as I do not recognize the brand name converter you listed in the message title but don't think which type should make a difference. I'd get in touch with the company that makes it...

Happy Shooting,
Mitch & Shadow...
 
Thanks Butch for the link,
A good friend and super machinist is using a phase-a-matic
static converter on his bridgeport 1 1/2 hp Var sp. Mine is a step
pulley 1 HP and the same exact converter. If I start the motor by hand
it will then run ok. A bit slow geting up to speed. it does me no good with the belt off.
It is explained that even at its best, I will only have 2/3 of the rated HP
as there is really no third leg.
You are using a rotary unit and it works aye
 
Bob Kingsbury said:
Thanks Butch for the link,
A good friend and super machinist is using a phase-a-matic
static converter on his bridgeport 1 1/2 hp Var sp. Mine is a step
pulley 1 HP and the same exact converter. If I start the motor by hand
it will then run ok. A bit slow geting up to speed. it does me no good with the belt off.
It is explained that even at its best, I will only have 2/3 of the rated HP
as there is really no third leg.
You are using a rotary unit and it works aye
Click to expand...

Bob, from what you describe, it sounds like the phase converter may not be heavy enough to start the Bridgeport motor...

A common problem with phase converters is the starting current of the 3 phase motor exceeding what the phase converter supplies. To start 1 hp 3 phase motor, the phase converter should be rated at least 3 times greater. To start a 1 hp motor, you should be using a 3 to 5 hp rated phase converter...

Happy shooting,
Mitch & Shadow...
 
We have a large rotary 3 phase converter to run our CNC vertical mill, but for your application I would recommend a Variable Frequency Drive from Automation Direct. Their GS 2 unit for $170 will convert 230 V. single phase to 230 V. 3 phase. Complete variable speed control with motor protection built in, hard to beat.
 
I agree with jlmurphy. I have a variable freq. drive on my bridgeport. It allows the 1-3 phase conversion. It also gives the value added features of soft start and braking. The braking is very nice since it stops the spindle very quickly when the motor is shut off. Also, you get motor speed control out of the deal too. My machine is a step pulley head so the infinite speed variation is nice. Also, typically phase converters will not give you full nameplate horsepower. The variable frequency drive does.
 
pdeal

I have looked over the automation direct web site and do not see
what you are referring to. When you say soft start, are you
referring to a less power. I also have the step pulley and would rather
not loose to much power
 
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The power loss is probably more theoretical because I don't think I ever really get near the power limitations of my machine. I think the various features you gain by using a variable freq. drive (VFD) for about the same cost make it worth it. I have never used this brand but this is one:

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...ts_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_-z-_575_VAC)/GS2-22P0

Typically with vfd's you need to derate them when using with 1 phase input. So for 1hp out you need to get a 2hp drive. The manual should detail. The drives can be a little tedious to setup but this is a one time deal then after that you just use it. The machine wiring needs to change a little too. You wire the incoming power right to the vfd then from the vfd to the motor. I usually put a disconnect in the incoming power to the vfd to cut power to the machine. No switches between the vfd and motor. Then to control the motor you connect start/stop swithches to the vfd control inputs. You can also put switches or a potentiometer to control speed or just use the keypad to vary the speed. You can also start and stop the machine from the keypad with most vfd's but it is better to put start/stop switches on.

My drill press, jointer, lathe, brigeport, engraver, even my well pump all have 3 phase motors and I have changed them all over to using vfd's a little at a time. The well pump got converted when my motor went bad one weekend and all I could find was a 3 phase motor.
 
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pdeal

Have just talked to the people at Automation Direct, and conferred with
their tech staff. It certainly seems the way to go. I did have a question for them regarding electronic noise on my PC and TV etc. Have you had any problems in that area
 
Since I have one on my water pump it has run a lot while doing other stuff in the house. The only thing it seems to interfere with is am radio. Possibly a powerline reactor would help with this but I have never tried.

I work in a plant where we use these on lots of equipment. Over the years sometimes drives become surplus due to obsolete equipment and various other reasons. All mine have been scavenged in this way so I don't know anything about the ones on automation direct.
 
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There haven't been any interference issues with the PC's and the TV's are cable, so no problems. The soft start means you can control the length of time the motor takes to accelerate and decelerate to the chosen speed.
 
I have static on my intercom with the breaker on and the machine off. When the machine starts it stops. It does not interfere with the TV, Radio, or computer in my shop. That is on one machine. The other VFD does not do that. I have one on ea. of my Bridgeports. I also have 2 rotarys. The only advantage to a rotary is being able to run more than one machine off one rotary. I would highly recommend getting the braking resistors. Soft start is easier on the motor and you can program it to be only seconds.
Butch
 
The phase-a-matic company has sent me new components and after installing them, it still is a no-go. Took the motor and switch, all still connected to my work location and it ran fine. Live and learn.
The automation Direct Gs2 is on order, so hopefully I can get back underway. to many neat things to build
 
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