Did i spend to much on my VFD

[johnny rocket]

I recently had a electrician purchase and install a vfd on my pullmax p-7 because i have no clue on this stuff even after doin some homework on it . I told him it just has to run 220 single phase to 220 three phase and have variable speed. I know there are cheaper vfd's out there but how bad did i get raked . I think he sold me a Cadillac of vfd's it is a Schneider electric model ATV12HU22M2 3 HP for $395. He said he would us this one because there are technicians locally for them, which is nice if i have any problems down the road. Give me your opinions, did i waste my money?

[Rick (madera)]

Rule of thumb on pricing is about $100 per Horse Power.
it also depends on the NEMA rating.(water proof)
Plus an electrian to wire it up.
I would think it was a fair price
$300 for 3 hp
$ 95 to wire it
______
$395

[johnny rocket]

paid
$165 labor
$143 for a dam box to put it in CRAZY!!!!!
$395 vfd

[johnny rocket]

but maybe considering i only paid $800 dollars for a p-7 with both tool holders, fence, and small amount of tooling and delivered to my shop, im still doing good on it.

[Tony Sanchez]

---Over all sounds like you came out with the best end of the deal.
---Tony

[Carbuilder]

I by my vfd from automation direct . There tec service is top notch & here so I can understand them. They will walk you thru step by step on set up & setting the parameters. I have 3 machines using there stuff & 1 or 2 more coming in the future.

[oldgoaly]

My last VFD purchase was from Factorymation, a 3hp with cooling fan was right at 200$ w/shipping. We are metalshapers, buy a box????
You got it going for less than 2 grand.... sounds like a pretty good deal. Don't know much about Schnieder, where is it made? I have 2 Teco/westinghouse from factorymation they are made in Tiawan. I have others to add to the confusion some USA, some Japan. all seem to work, just slight differences in set up and programing.

[Rick (madera)]

Originally Posted by johnny rocket

paid
$165 labor
$143 for a dam box to put it in CRAZY!!!!!
$395 vfd

ouch!
But at least it is working now

[oldgoaly]

one thing I see that I had that you may want to do it the "on/off" button was near the front of machine so easy to reach.

[Doug98105]

If the question is, was $700 a good price to have someone supply and install a 3hp VFD? Assuming he did it per code it might not have been a bad price. When you pay list price things are expensive, if it's like the Schneider control circuits I've bought it is the Cadillac (or, I should say priced like it is).

If the question is, could I have done it myself cheaper? The answer is yes.

Right now I'm looking at around $1750 for a 5hp VFD. Only because it's a Baldor which I need to match up to the motor I'm using. You don't find this type VFD and the connection cabling at the discounters.