phase converter

[rob jerico]

well i got my 3016ht fadal in my home shop, need to install a phase converter, anyone have any suggestions on a good manufacturer? there seems to be alot out there, my machine has the t-816 transformer, thanks

[rob jerico]

nobody has any idea?

[donl517]

I've got an American Rotary Converter:

1-888-743-6832

I bought a 20HP CNC balanced converter.

I only had one problem with it; it would not kick on when I hit the power switch, I'd have to flip it 5 or 6 times. They sent me a couple of additional capacitors. I put one of them in and it eliminated most of the problem. (I have to flip it twice at most now, they told me to only use one of them at first, I never got around to putting the second one in)

I followed their wiring diagram to triple the HP output. It has run great with no problems, other than mentioned above, for 2 years now.

I would recommend them.

HTH,
Don

[Neal]

The main problems that I find with phase converters is that some of them tend to have unbalanced voltage measured leg to leg and some produce excess electrical noise. Both of these can cause control issues.

Neal

[rob jerico]

we contacted fadal and they said they dont recomend phase converters, they want us to change the transformer inside the machine! i think they want to get money and not the phase converter company, one of these "CNC" phase converters should be fine right?

[Al_The_Man]

The main thing to watch with phase convertors is to ensure as near as you can that the 1 phase circuits are on the main 240v (1phase) legs . the artificial phase should feed only 3 phase loads as much as is possible.
Al.

[donl517]

Originally Posted by rob jerico we contacted fadal and they said they dont recomend phase converters, they want us to change the transformer inside the machine! i think they want to get money and not the phase converter company, one of these "CNC" phase converters should be fine right?

My '91 4020 is running on one right now! I wouldn't worry about it, just get a good one. It will cost you a little more than $1,000.00, depending on how you choose to wire it, but it will certainly work.

HTH,
Don

[Mark Hockett]

I run my Fadal with a Phase Perfect digital phase converter, http://www.phaseperfect.com/index.htm. The voltage is much more accurate than a rotary converter; less than 1% deviation leg to leg. I use one Phase Perfect converter to run my whole shop. There are 5 machines hooked up to it. When I was looking to purchase a new machine most manufacturer's recommended the Phase Perfect and would not warranty the machine if used with a rotary converter.

Mark Hockett
Island Tech Enterprises
Clinton, WA
http://www.islandtechent.com/

More chip less lip

[carbidecraters]

YES you have to be carefull with the converter using it on any CNC. Ask the american tech about this they will help you. Also the converter must be reated about double your hp. Keep in mind if you have a 10,000rpm spindle and you machine says 15hp it is really a 10hp with a 150% load capacity. 20hp converter may not work well with heavy cuts. We have one 3016 that has the transformer in the machine. I believe this machine runs slower on single phase and the rapids are slower.

[Mark Hockett]

[QUOTE=carbidecraters;334027] Also the converter must be reated about double your hp. Keep in mind if you have a 10,000rpm spindle and you machine says 15hp it is really a 10hp with a 150% load capacity. 20hp converter may not work well with heavy cuts.

This is not the case with a Phase Perfect converter. If you have a 10hp machine the 10HP size converter will work. This quote is from their web site,

"Are there any special sizing considerations for Phase Perfect based on the application for which it will be used?

Selecting a Phase Perfect digital phase converter is simple. Just match the name plate specifications of your application with a Phase Perfect model rated at least as large as the load you will operate. Unlike rotary and static converters, there is no need to oversize Phase Perfect for hard starting motors or voltage sensitive loads. Phase Perfect electrical phase converters can safely and efficiently operate virtually any three-phase load within its rated capacity!"

My machine is 480 volt so I use the phase perfect to get 3 phase and then a step up transformer to get the correct voltage. The machine has been running for years that way, even the previous owner was running it on the same converter and transformer.

I looked into into getting 3 phase power to my shop and it was available but would be very expensive to hook up. It would also raise my billing rate. The phase perfect gives me cleaner power than I would get from the line and my rates are cheaper so it payed for itself quickly.

Mark Hockett
Island Tech Enterprises
Clinton, WA
http://www.islandtechent.com/

More chip less lip

[WORKALONE]

Hi, I started using a 15 HP "Phase-A-Matic" rotary phase converter in my garage in 1986. Shizoka ANS with Slo-Syn Control and a 24 tool magazine made by Fadal in the early days, Brideport Series II with Bridgeport Control and no tool changer, 16 Inch 10 HP Engine lathe with 8 inch chuck, Bridgeport manual mill, 5 HP compresser. All used indiscrimitally of any other machine running. I have 220 single phase, 200 amps, I allow 100 amps to the house and 100 amps to the machines in the garage. Then I retrofitted the Shizoka with an Allen-Bradly 8400 control. Modern diagnostics became a problem. Phase-A-Matic made me a 10 HP "Voltage Stabilizer". Allen-Bradley 8400 started up and worked fine. Added a 1989 Ikegai FX-20N with 5T control. If the Ikegai and the compresser fired together, the Ikegai lost. Shut Ikegai down and restart. Added a 2nd Ikegai and same problem. Added a 20 HP Phase-A-Matic in parallel and Ikegai problems went away. Over time Shizoka went away, Bridgeport II went away and a total of 3 Ikegai FX-20n's went away. 1990 4020 with extended 28 Inch Z arrived with 1988 Okuma LB12, 1994 VMC15, 1997 2016L and a 2007 Hwacheon Hi-Tec 200. Still running the same 15 & 20 HP Phase-a-Matic rotary phase converters. 21 years for the 15 HP and 17 years for the 20 HP. Most of the machines over the years had transformers with different power taps, 480, 240,220, 208 volts.

[sodickappsguy]

i would go with a phase perfect hands down. When i go to shops that have converters i tend to see alot of problems when they are using off brands but i have seen the phase perfects work flawless with wire EDM and all sorts of mills including Fadal.