3-phase convertor

3gracing · Oct 17, 2011

I thought i saw bones or somebody posting something about a convertor to convert 230v to 460v or something. maybe I read it wrong? Can get a real good deal on a 10hp I/R compressor but it is 3 phase and my dad's shop is only set up for 2 phase. If somebody knows of this and where to purchase it would be great!

Brian

CheapJ7 · Oct 17, 2011

American rotary. 600 bucks. We just had to buy one. 750 after shipping and accessories.

patooyee · Oct 17, 2011

I use one of these to run a 20hp 3-phase dummy motor that I found rebuilt at a local electric motor shop for $100:

http://www.phase-a-matic.com/StaticDescription.htm

I then pull true 3-phase off that motor to run my 10hp lathe. I have about $200+ wiring into the setup. The 20hp dummy motor can be kind of loud and annoying. It weighs about 200 lbs. I wish I would have mounted it in the back of the shop instead of right next to the lathe but that would have required a lot more wire. My dummy motor can be used to power any other 3-phase stuff I want in the future.

J. J.

blacksheep10 · Oct 17, 2011

I use a phase a matic static box on my mill, 3 horse rated for about $75.
You can build a rotary pretty ****ing easy if you have lots of low horse single phase 100 motors laying around (I'm at about 10 of them laughing1), a big ass 3 phase motor and some time/minimal fab skill. spin the 3 phase that is larger than the one on your 3 phase machine with the 110 motor. Have your 2 110 legs hooked to 2 of the hot legs on your big converter motor and also to 2 of the hot legs in your equipment. The third hot leg in your equipment goes to the third leg in the dummy startup motor.
problem with a compressor is you probably need a static as it starts all the time. A lathe or mill you can turn on your startup rotary then start teh equipment. Compressor needs to do it all itself. Call phase-a-matic and see what they say

3gracing · Oct 18, 2011

Thanks for the info Kelly, you confirmed what a guy told me at work about using a 110 motor to pull a dummy motor to make your own 3-phase power, except you explained it alot better! Will relay this info to my dad and see what he wants to do.

Brian

cash talks · Oct 18, 2011

been there, done that. it wont work on a compressor or welder or whatever pulls hard of and on. welder is too intermitent, spikes too much. a compressor pulls too hard off the start. i have tried phase converters and went through several electricians. dont mean to rain on your parade, thats how kelly scored his from me. i bought it and sold it cause it wouldnt work

blacksheep10 · Oct 18, 2011

3gracing said:
Thanks for the info Kelly, you confirmed what a guy told me at work about using a 110 motor to pull a dummy motor to make your own 3-phase power, except you explained it alot better! Will relay this info to my dad and see what he wants to do.

Brian

Yes, work quite well on a lathe or mill or something. Like Luke is saying, all the cycles on and off and such, just buy a $$$$$motor that is made for single phase. About $700 ish for a 7ish horse.

Elliott · Oct 18, 2011

You can run a compressor on it, I've got a 10 horse motor that runs my whole shop. My compressor has a 5 horse motor. You just have to make sure to change the wires around to the 240 setting on your pecker head. I run lathes, mills,radial drill, surface grinders and compressors off of it. Never a problem at all.