Single phase for 3 phase motor - pillar drill
 

G'day Folks,

I've been blessed! I was at the place where I do some voluntary work and they happed to be doing a clear out and I got given this.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1333787210

It is a bit rusty so I'll have to clean it up a bit - but the biggest fix I need to make is to convert it so that it can run on single phase electrickery.

I've found a few links for doing this

Making Three-Phase Machines Work in a One-Phase Shop

SINGLE to 3 PHASE CONVERTER

But does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Is it really worthwhile trying to get the 3 phase motor running on single phase? Would it be better to try and get a single phase replacement motor instead?

i would replace the motor for sure

Thanks - that's one nail in the 3 phase motor's coffin then.

Its easy. I know 3-phase well. But I will tell you this, with a motor you will increase your amperage demand when you go to single. So yes, I agree that replacing the motor may be best.

What do you think about the information given on the plate on the motor?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1333810872

It states that it is a 3 phase motor but then it says that it can have a 220V supply. I'm guessing that that's a 220V 3-phase supply but as a European motor (I can only get hits on Google for this motor type on German websites) that's a bit of nonsense as we don't have that...

...we've got 220V single phase supply here and (about) 380V 3 phase I think.

Here's a picture of the wiring - perhaps this makes more sense to you.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1333810879

Can you tell me if I can use this motor with a single phase supply? I'm guessing not - but just in case I thought I'd check before I zoom off and hunt down a single phase replacement.

This may help decode the wiring:

http://www.itur.es/MIF-0010-I.pdf

Should be able to find a 110 single phase motor really cheap or free. Even a quarter horse is good enough for average use on a drill press that size.

In Canada we have 208V three phase as well. Try to get a standard 1725rpm motor. Put the smallest pulley on it that will be serviceable. Since there are no 300 plus volt single phase motors anywhere that I am aware of it has to be a three phase motor on that basis alone. I would try to source a used furnace fan motor as they have an adjustable ratio pulley.

Thanks for the help folks.

I asked the same questions on metalmeet and I got lots of advice about VFDs variable frequency drives and a "Stienmetz connection"

PLCS.net - Interactive Q & A - View Single Post - choosing capacitor when translate 3 phase AC motor into single phase

According to that plate you can use 3-phase 220V in a Delta connection or 3-phase 380V in a Y connection setup.

Since you said you've got 380V three phase, just hook it up in a Y (wye) connection and be done with it.

http://www.specpower.com/engineering_tools.aspx

More data for other members
 

phase inverter
phase inverter - Google Search

phase converter
phase inverter - Google Search

.

I have a brand new 3 phase inverter sitting in a box in the garage. I used it for my 3 phase lift once before switching to a rotary inverter. It's the static type with a capacitor.

I'd cut you a heck of a deal on it.

Sorry no I only have a single phase 220V supply here at the moment.

I'm sending a PM out of curiosity - thanks!

Update and a question
 

I went down the replacement motor route and I think I have something that will do the job - however it has turned up with a silver cigar tube attached by a single wire to it...

I don't know what it is!

It is made by Bosch though and has this part number on it 0 670 312 351

Here's a picture

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1335452372

From the units on it it looks like it could just be a big capacitor (Farads)...

Yup. That's a starter cap. Electricity is a realm populated by wizards wielding big balls of white lightning as far as I am concerned but my understanding is the cap "stores" and releases a charge greater than the existing line current for the higher torque requirements of initial start up of the motor.