VFD recomendation

[Danno]

The more that I search which VFD to get, the more I'm getting confused !!
I need a VFD for a Hurco KMB-1 that I'm converting over to Mach-3.
When I go to the selection page at Driveswarehouse.com, the drop down menu asks what type of VFD I want. --Phase converter?--Variable torque?--sensorless vector?--Flux vector drive?--Holy crap!!

This machine has a 2HP 230V 3 phase motor , that I want to run on 220V single phase. There's a lot of manufacturers out there with lots of VFD's that fit this criteria. What is the most popular brand and model that guys are using? I would like to get something rated for 3 HP.
Thanks for any clarification, Dan.

[123CNC]

I'm not sure why you want a 3hp drive for a 2hp load, unless your'e a fanatic for safety factors, or planning a motor upgrade, or multi tasking? The single-in / three-out specified drives are built for the purpose, meaning a 1ph-in/3ph-out 2hp vfd will work fine with a 2hp motor.

A popular choice is the Hitachi SJ200 series, I believe these are sensorless vector, and popular for price. The majority seem happy with these.

The different drive types incorporate different control circuitry and generally have a best fit to the type of load you are driving, e.g. Phase Converter (picked an easy one, as the name implies) is simply an inverter for single to three phase power and are generally larger in size/capacity and bigger intervals between models/sizes and cost.

[TOTALLYRC]

The more that I search which VFD to get, the more I'm getting confused !!
I need a VFD for a Hurco KMB-1 that I'm converting over to Mach-3.
When I go to the selection page at Driveswarehouse.com, the drop down menu asks what type of VFD I want. --Phase converter?--Variable torque?--sensorless vector?--Flux vector drive?--Holy crap!!

This machine has a 2HP 230V 3 phase motor , that I want to run on 220V single phase. There's a lot of manufacturers out there with lots of VFD's that fit this criteria. What is the most popular brand and model that guys are using? I would like to get something rated for 3 HP.
Thanks for any clarification, Dan.

Unless your are going to upgrade the motor, don't buy more than you need unless it is on sale or something.

Sensorless vector Basically means that it will give you more torque at lower speeds. Make sure motor is fan cooled and has a thermal over load if you use low speed a lot.

HZ/volts means that the lower the hz setting, the less volts it outputs, meaning less power at lower speeds, or variable torque.

I'm not sure why you want a 3hp drive for a 2hp load, unless your'e a fanatic for safety factors, or planning a motor upgrade, or multi tasking? The single-in / three-out specified drives are built for the purpose, meaning a 1ph-in/3ph-out 2hp vfd will work fine with a 2hp motor.

A popular choice is the Hitachi SJ200 series, I believe these are sensorless vector, and popular for price. The majority seem happy with these.

The different drive types incorporate different control circuitry and generally have a best fit to the type of load you are driving, e.g. Phase Converter (picked an easy one, as the name implies) is simply an inverter for single to three phase power and are generally larger in size/capacity and bigger intervals between models/sizes and cost.

I happened to smoke my polyspeed vfd,


and I replaced it with a hitachi sj200 sensorless vector. $300 dollars NIB off of ebay. In High gear and about 100 rpm, I can't stall the spindle by hand. For heavy milling, I will use low gear but I was impressed with the low speed power.
If you decide to get a different make, make sure it has sinking and sourcing inputs or verify which style you need. Worst case if you get the wrong style, you can use some relays to connect the I/O.

I am using the dspmc/ip with 24v controls which matches perfectly with the sj200. I am using 2 inputs (fwd and rev) plus analogue 0-10v for the speed input from mach3. It is real cool to type an S command and have the motor change speed.

If you are using a pport/breakoutboard, then somebody with more experience will chime in and help.

Sinking inputs expect voltage to come in and go with sourcing outputs from your control. and vise versa. Crystal clear it isn't but somebody else can explain it better.

I managed to get mine hooked all by myself.
The sj200 offers both types, and the operators manual, while not crystal clear, makes sense if you read thru it several times.

Make sure the one you pick out specifically says it is designed for 1 phase in and 3 phase out. You can normally use a 3 phase in/ 3 phase out but you must get several sizes larger and then you may have to fool it in to thinking all three phases are connected on the input side.

Let us know how you make out.

[Danno]

I hope Americans realize how good they have it when it comes to buying parts.
Here's a great example at how we Canadians get raped;
I narrowed my search down to the Hitachi SJ200 because of the good reviews others here have said. This item is available from Driveswarehouse.com for $ 291.00US. It's a real pain and expense for us Canadians to order from the states, so I finally was able to contact a dealer here after searching for a couple of hours, and a few hours after that, they finally called back. The price they quoted me was $713.00 CND !! Our dollar was at par just a few weeks ago. I don't know how they can justify 2 1/2 times the price because it's north of the border.

I am however able to get a Yaskawa VFD model V1000 for a reasonable price ($433.00)
Anyone have any experience with these? I will start a new thread in case this question gets buried here. Thanks for any replies. Dan

[Al_The_Man]

I prefer to buy a high end units off ebay, such as, Mitsubishi, Square D Altivar, Telemecanique, Allen-Bradley, WEG, for cheap.
You just need to check they have the programming/hand unit with them.
These units often run a lot more new, because of the features.
Al.

[cmacclel]

Danno I hear you

I'm also looking at VFD's for a CNC lathe that has a straight 5hp spindle motor the electronics are run off of 110v 15amp.

On one of the website's that sells the Teco drives states to buy a 10hp for a 5hp spindle motor??

Top unit

http://dealerselectric.com/mfg-subca...cID=166&mID=-1

Mac

[TOTALLYRC]

Danno I hear you

I'm also looking at VFD's for a CNC lathe that has a straight 5hp spindle motor the electronics are run off of 110v 15amp.

On one of the website's that sells the Teco drives states to buy a 10hp for a 5hp spindle motor??

Top unit

http://dealerselectric.com/mfg-subca...cID=166&mID=-1

Mac

It is customary to use a vfd larger than the motor rating if it is 3phase input and you are going to use it on single phase.

Hitachi sj200 series are designed to run from single or three phase input and will give you 3 phase output at its rated hp. As are many others

http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachico...ipmentsystems/


for more information.

Mike

[DonnieET]

Dan

Go to www.Automationdirect.com They sell to Canada.

Look at the GS3-23P0 Durapulse list for $325 USD for 3hp Will do Source or sink Inputs senserless vector very good low end torque. Used serveral of the 480 volt units at work.

Donnie

[Danno]

Thanks for the link !

[kdiver58]

Dan

Please check private messages when you get a chance ... K