Looking for a BOB, and VFD

[nateman_doo]

I just purchased a V770 head assembly for a home made linear rail table that I am making.

I was curious what would be a good choice of VFD to go with it, and a Break out Board to go with the VFD.

Someone brought up a Hitachi WJ200 series, but it looks very complicated at first look. The V770 is a 1 HP 3PH motor, so I was looking to get what was required for it.

The last mill I bought was just a simple X2 mill, so my simple BOB worked just fine. VFD's are brand new to me so it will be very easy to go over my head.

[RTP_Burnsville]

I bought a VFD from www.automationdirect.com for my Southbend lathe and have been very happy with it. It was a model from their mid-priced line of drives (GS2 series). It allows one to use cheap external brake resistors which was a nice feature.

Robert

[rowbare]

The Hitachi VFDs seem very popular. VFDs are a bit of work to setup but if you follow the directions in the manual it is pretty straightforward. Just do it systematically. I bought an Automation Direct GS2 for a motor I had and it took about 1/2 hour to get it going on the bench. I didn't hooked it up to a BOB or anything though.

bob

[dkaustin]

Nateman, PM sent.

[FannBlade]

I bought a VFD from The best way to buy industrial controls--low prices, fast shipping and superior service. for my Southbend lathe and have been very happy with it. It was a model from their mid-priced line of drives (GS2 series). It allows one to use cheap external brake resistors which was a nice feature.

Robert

I bought same one also. Automation Direct is a great company to work with.

[nateman_doo]

The Hitachi VFDs seem very popular. VFDs are a bit of work to setup but if you follow the directions in the manual it is pretty straightforward. Just do it systematically. I bought an Automation Direct GS2 for a motor I had and it took about 1/2 hour to get it going on the bench. I didn't hooked it up to a BOB or anything though.

bob

I love the instruction manual. Looks very easy to follow.

[rowbare]

For a milling head, you probably want to get a sensorless vector drive. They do a better job of maintaining torque at lower RPM. They are about $100 more for a 1HP model though. The Automation Direct GS3 would be a good choice.

Tormach uses an Emerson Commander SK drive.

The Tormach whitepaper on VFDs is interesting: Engineering Documents - VFD | Tormach LLC | We provide personal small CNC machines, CNC tooling, and many more CNC items

bob

[nateman_doo]

I was looking for that emerson drive, but they are around $400, and not much cheaper on ebay.

[rowbare]

I found this place by googling "Emerson Commander SK" : SKB1100075 - Control Techniques - DRIVE, AC, 1HP, 240V, 4A, CT, 115V 1-Ph In, 1HP 4A VT W/DB Trans, 8.1"Hx3.4"Wx6.2"D Commander SK

Braking resistors aren't cheap though...

bob

[MichaelHenry]

I was looking for that emerson drive, but they are around $400, and not much cheaper on ebay.

Sometime it doesn't pay to go the cheap route.

[Al_The_Man]

IMO, the WJ200 has as many features and looks a better buy?
Ebay Item number: 150661640227
Al.