Looking for a VFD?

[tdoty]

Anyone looking for a reasonably priced VFD without resorting to eBay? Check out the motors and drives from www.automationdirect.com Their drives start at $99, and the motor prices are decent too.

I suggested Automation direct to my employer for a couple of things, and we've been buying from the regularly now. If you're in the market for industrial controls, sensors, PLCs, enclosures or other things of that nature, they are well worth checking out! As an example, one of the proximity switches we use at work was costing us $108 each from Balluff - Automation Direct has a direct replacement for $21! At worst, they last just as long as the $108 ones :lol:

Just thought I'd suggest it :D

Tim D.

[jvo]

Tim, I asked you about this at MM05, and its now time to start cleaning up the garage, and get some stuff working. I now plan to use a VFD on my bandsaw, instead of mechanical means of slowing it down. I have no idea what to look for. What info do you need off the motor to advise me? I do know its a 1725 rpm 3 phase motor, and I need to slow it way,way down. Its an old Yates American bandsaw, the info says it runs at 5200 feet per minute, and it needs to slow down to perhaps 50 or 60 fpm at its slowest speed? Should I still run a jackshaft or a gear reducer, then use the VFD for variable speed? John V.O.

[Avalonjr]

JVO,

Wray's thread has some info you might need. Richard K gives pricing on his units. http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3201&page=2&pp=10

More info is in the following forumn:
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5&page=2&pp=10

John

[jvo]

I guess I need to be more specific. I need help to make a purchase. I don't understand this stuff. The motor on my bandsaw says the following. Built by Peerless Electric for Yates American ( original motor, which tells me its pretty old) Serial # BF6356 Frame PH204 Duty - CON 50/60 cycle
4.8/2.4 amp 1 1/2 H.P. 1450/1750 rpm 40 degrees C
I don't know what to buy, please help.
While we're at it, here's the info on my drill press. If its only a couple hundred bucks, I might be able to buy one for it, too.
Do-All drill press model DG-17 Serial # 6-8702 208 volts 60 Hertz
3 phase
3.2 amps full load current of all motors & equipment
3.2 max amp rating of spindle motor
5 ampacity of supply circuit overcurrent device
8 ampere rating of supply circuit overcurrent device
0.9 HP rating of supply disconnect device
Manufactured by FFI in Portugal for DoAll Des Plaines Illinois
wiring diagram # PM200441
That's all the info on the back of the drill press, whatever all that means.

[Avalonjr]

Are you going to be running both tools at once? If not, you could power several machines off the same VFD. Probably not recommended by most, but for a home shop, it would work fine as long as you're only using one tool. If you are worried about feeding both motors at the same time, wire the output legs from the VFD through the relay commons. Feed one tool off of the NC contacts and the other off of the NO contacts. That way the power can only go to one tool at a time.

Mount a selector switch next to the tools. In the relay - unpowered position, the VFD power will go to the tool off of the NC contacts. With the relay powered, it will feed the other tool off of the NO contacts. Use the tool in the normal way. Turn it off via the tool power switch when not in use, control motor speed from the VFD.

Provide current protection on the VFD supply side (circuit breaker) and fuse protection on the VFD output.

quote:
Serial # BF6356 Frame PH204 Duty - CON 50/60 cycle
4.8/2.4 amp 1 1/2 H.P. 1450/1750 rpm 40 degrees C
DG-17 Serial # 6-8702 208 volts 60 Hertz, 3 phase
3.2 amps full load current of all motors & equipment


It looks like you have a 1 HP and a 1.5 HP motor.

Here's some info on AC Tech:

PN: SM220S,
DESCRIPTION: SCM SERIES BASIC MODEL IP20 HOUSING, 208-240 VOLT SINGLE PHASE INPUT VOLTAGE, 2 HP,
Net Price ea. $228.00
Total Weight Availability

Clearwater Technologies, Inc.
Contact: Les Durham
1025 Exchange St.
Fax: Boise, Id. 83716
Phone: (800) 894-0412
Fax: (208) 368-0415

A SM210S is good up to 1 HP and a SM215S is for 1.5 HP. These units provide for single phase input, three phase output.

Another supplier:
Automation Direct 1-800-633-0405 http://web6.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/AC_Drives_-z-_Motors/GS1_(120_-z-_230_VAC_V-z-Hz_Control)

GSM-21PO Micro drive 1.0 HP 230VAC, three/single phase input, three phase output, Volts per hertz control mode $165.00

http://web6.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/AC_Drives_-z-_Motors/GS2_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_VAC_V-z-Hz_Control)

GS2-22PO Micro drive 2.0 HP 230VAC, three/single phase input, three phase output, Volts per hertz control mode $275.00

[tdoty]

Hey John, what John said is about what I would have said too :) .

Tim D.

[jvo]

Okay you guys, you two would make good Canadians, 'cause you might as well be talking French as far as I'm concerned. You're assuming I know what your're talking about. About all I understand from the above is that I can run two machines with the same VFD if I choose to do so, and that sounds fine to me. I'll need to get one of my electrically schooled up friends to wire it in for me, but that's no big deal. I would MUCH rather one of you guys suggest which one to buy, as opposed to listening to a salesman's recommendations. About the only guess I can make is to pick the one with the lowest dollar number attached to it, maybe that's not the right thing to do????? John V.O.
Also, do I understand (because of the listing of a 2 HP unit), that I could buy a 5 or 10 or 25 horsepower VFD and use it to run a 1.5 horsepower motor, assuming I could afford to buy it?

[tdoty]

Also, do I understand (because of the listing of a 2 HP unit), that I could buy a 5 or 10 or 25 horsepower VFD and use it to run a 1.5 horsepower motor, assuming I could afford to buy it?

Yup, the hp ratings are maximums.

I would recommend the Automation Direct GS2-22PO that John listed. Okay, partly because I have had great luck with the parts we've bought from them - good service too.

Basically, you need something that will power either of your tools. A 2hp rating should get the job done.

HTH,

Tim D.

[1969robinhood]

I ,like Tim have been using Automation Direct for several years...
they are top notch!!!!

I have Never...Read NEVER had a problem with anything I purchased through them and if you count work and personal puchases....its a whole lotta money spent with them!!!

Their customer service is top notch also....which you well know .....is hard to find these days!!

these components are like most things you get what you pay for....but I have found out the hard way that the products Automation Direct sells is a great value!!!

for what its worth.....my 2 centshttp://www.metalmeet.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Avalonjr]

I'm good with Automation Direct. I don't think that you should go under 2HP for the VFD ratings. When you convert single phase to three phase, there are some inefficiencies and the drives run hotter. It is common to derate the drives when using them for phase conversion.

Automation Direct also sells line fuse packs that can be used with the VFD for output protection. The VFD should have overcurrent protection built in, but the fuses are good protection for the money. Plus you can pull them out when you are working on the downstream side. You never know when curious hands will come flip the switch...

Quand vous achetez le VFD, savons. Le diagramme d'installation éléctrique sera assez simple. Je voudrais vous aider avec que quand le temps vient.

[jvo]

Okay, guys, thanks. I'll buy an automation direct unit sometime in the next few days. John, what this about fuses? Again, I don't know what to buy, please recommend something specific. Thanks. John V.O.

[Bob Baisden]

John,

Is this vfd for your bandsaw mentioned above? Your going to have gear way down before the vfd will be effective. As you slow the motor down with the vfd, the motor will lose torque. My woodbandsaw turned way slower than yours from the factory. To get down to metal cutting speed, I halved the speed with pulleys and am using a 7.5 hp motor and 10 hp vfd.

Bob

[Avalonjr]

GS2-22PO VFD 2HP, 1.5 KW, 2.7 KVA $275.00
15.7 Amps Input, 7 Amps Output
Dimensions: 5.4" x 3.94" x 5.53" (HxWxD)
Fuse Kit: GS-22PO-FKIT-1P
Spare Fuses: GS-22PO-FUSE-1P
Box Size (minimum): 18"H x 8"W x 8"D
Screw cover box with Knockouts, Painted: PN: SC121808 N1 SCRW CVR WALL MT PULL 18X12X8 IN KO $36.00
WPF10-115BK FAN KIT W/FILTER 14 CFM $124.00

The online manual for the VFD is found here.
http://web5.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/gs2m/gs2m.html

Your wiring will look like this:
Supply Power: Come from your Panel 220 VAC circuit breaker to the two VFD input fuses, from the fuses to the Terminals Labeled L1 and L2. Also bring a ground wire from your Panel.

Motor Power: Wire the motor to terminals marked T1, T2, T3 and ground.

You aren't going to need to use the Line Reactors or Dynamic Brake Resistors. Ignore those terminals for now. If you are going to be using the VFD keypad for speed control, FWD.REV and ON/OFF then no other wiring is required.

http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/data/500/Automation_Direct_Drive_External_Wiring_Diagram.jp g

I posted some other pertinent info in my gallery:
http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=13052&cat=500&page=1

[Avalonjr]

I was on the practical machinist site and found some VFD's for sale. http://www.practicalmachinist.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=003263

Here's the posting:

quote

I have 10 Motortronics CSD 202 VFDs left. These are new surplus, not used, 2 hp cap, 200 - 230 volts, gives you variable speed, reverse and 3 phase from either 220 volt single or three phase. In other words this will make 3 phase using house current! Perfect for Mills and Lathes, any motor up to 2 hp, they do not have to be "inverter duty". I have sold more than 200 of these on ebay and on this board and have had very good experiences with them. I have tested every single one of them and if there is any problem I will replace it at no charge. These are the last 10, I do not have any more. As a favor to the members on this board I offer the following deal, one for $220 including shipping to the lower 48, or $420 for two, money order only. If you want one email me to reserve one then send a money order, no pay pal to:
John Fitzsimmons
228 Maple Dr
Fayetteville, NY 13066

I will give this a few days then put what is left on ebay where they have been going for up to 245 plus shipping.
This is a real good deal!
end quote

I do not know this person, but thought I would pass on the listing in case someone was interested.