PM 8″ Jointer 3-Phase Conversion
Some good folks over at OWWM having been giving me advice on installing phase converter for an 1983 PM 8″ jointer with a 1.5hp 3-phase Leeson motor verses exchanging the 3-phase for a single phase motor. I’m close to deciding to install a VFD. I only have single phase in the shop. I don’t plan on buying other 3 phase equipment. I don’t plan on buying a RPC or static converter. I have a few questions regarding a VFD?
1. I assume I do not need variable speed for the jointer so can a VFD be set without much difficulty to the design speed of the motor. Please let me know if variable speed on the jointer is a good thing.
2. Do I need anything more than just the VFD. The jointer has a mag switch.
3. I’ve read where a “heater” may be required. What is this and does an older PM jointer already have one or need one?
4. Is it best to install the VFD directly onto the jointer, like next to the switch, which I would prefer, or near the receptable?
5. Have you gone through this same exercise and what did you do? Details please?
6. Any tricks or tips you would like to share to make this process go smoothly?
Thanks you so much for any information you can give a neophite.
Replies
The VFD will repalce the switch so locate in a convenient place. Yo cannot use both. http://www.factorymation.com will provide tech support to help program it. If you want simple put on a static converter. !/3 hp loss...get it from Enco...http://www.phase-a-matic.com. Good tech support and you won't have to change anything. Talk to the tech supports for your questions!! Have done many types of converions over 25 years.
Thanks Rick. I had planned on calling PM and the converter distributor tech help but got caught in the holidays. Thanks for the switch tip. I didn't know the converter replaces the switch. I think what I don't know is only the tip of the iceberg!
Enco sells the http://www.phase-a-matic.com converters at good prices. Good tech info on the site. I just put 2 5 hp factorymation VFD's on a machine we are building. Very good tech help as well.
I talked with a tech rep at Factorymation and have now ordered their FM50-202-C model VFD. The tech said he gets calls from woodworkers everyday and sells 5 to 6 of the FM50 VFDs a day. Very helpful by the way. I wanted to add that I called Powermatic to discuss the VFD/converter option and their advice was that anytime you had an option it was always best to replace the 3 phase with a single phase motor, for a total cost of about $600 (includes new starter). After further questioning the tech admitted this advice is given due to warrenty voidance issues. I reminded him my machine is 30 years old. His recommendation didn't change.
I then called Leeson and they referred me to their Texas distributor. I kept getting a busy signal and moved on to Factorymation.
A rule of thumb I've heard is to buy a VFD with twice the HP rating than your motor rating. However Factorymation rep said at up to 3 hp, the FM50 models are overrated (that doesn't sound right), in other words, no need to to use this rule for motors 3 hp and under.
As an independent tech I have to figure out who really knows their product. Many techs are obligated to their employer so they won't recommend other products. Many don't know about other options because they won't do the research on their own and on their own time.
I received several recommendations for Factorymation from the good folks at OWWMs. However, people have suggested and discussed the pros and cons of a full range of options. I wasn't disappointed by anyones suggestion. It's all research for me. I think sometimes a person just has to make a decision based on limited time and information and go with it. That's the reason I have not purchased a flat screen TV (way off topic here). Typically I can't bring myself to plop down big bucks for a concept like LCD vs. plasma, 720 vs 1080, etc. that I have not fully educated myself on. Like anyone else, I don't want to spend say $2000 on a model when a $1000 model will fit my needs. A friend bought a sony bravia. When I ask why that model he said, how could he go wrong with a sony. It has excellent ratings and reviews. He may have paid a couple of hundred more, but he has piece of mind. I thought that was a pretty good point.
Waiting impatiently for my VFD.
The static converter would have worked fine as well. Why were against a static converter????
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