Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 27, 2007 02:18pm | #1

   Your info is a  quite a bit off. Nothing wrong with static if you understand the application.  VFD's aren't that expensive these days. http://www.factorymation.com but they are for one machine only.  A rotary will run multiple machines of different hp ratings. You can make a rotary with a static and a slave motor so it isn't necessarily more expensive and there are used ones on the market. Some older motors may not be suitable. There is a 4th way...wwwphaseperfect.com  I've been dealing with phase converters for over 25 years and it's not something you can  sum up in a paragraph. Each machine has it's issues. You might check with your loacl motor shop as they may have some knowledge but on the other hand I've met electricians who said it couldn't be done.  http://www.phase-a-matic.com/  has some good info on technical aspects of converters. Read their site thoroughly and call with questions.  Most people don't do the research!!!!!!!

   Changing motors isn't necessarily as expensive as a commercial rotary converter. Some motors are part of the machine frame. That's where it's definitley cheaper to go with a converter.

   Your generalizations are way to broad. Some is true and some is totally false.

   
   

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   Edited 3/27/2007 8:54 am ET by RickL

2. 
   tms | Mar 27, 2007 06:10pm | #2

   Hey Gary,

   There is also another possibility, depending on where your shop is. I was fortunate that my shop is near a three phase source. The cheapest and best solution for me was to pay the power company to put up another transformer on the pole near the shop ($700). I did have to upgrade mast and panal, but now I have 240V 3Ø power in the panal.

   Tom

3. 
   daryl | Mar 27, 2007 10:42pm | #3

   I have a Felder saw/shaper, and I was told it is a 3 phase motor with a VFD convertor attached. If so, I can tell you, it works very well. I've had the unit about 3 years now. The first motor was defective, but Felder changed it immediately. That was for the saw/ the shaper was always fine.

1. 
   GaryK | Mar 27, 2007 11:36pm | #4

   Thanks to RickL, TMS & Daryl for taking the time to add information.  Rick, my information is admitedly rudimentry. However what I would really like to know is what are the uses of static converters? Will using one temporarily (say 6 months to a year of weekend work) in any way damage the machines?WIll they run any worse than my current middle of the road jointer and planer currently (excuse the pun) do? Since I cannot afford the machinery and a rotary converter, would using a static converter do any more harm than not FULLY powering the 5 HP motors? Seems to me that even 2/3 of 5 HP would be plenty more power than I have now. Unless old Oliver machines need that much juice to simply turn?

   Would love to hear comments form people who either use or have used a static converter.

    

   THanks

   GaryK

4. 
   RickChristopherson | Mar 28, 2007 02:10am | #5

   Most store-bought static converters are not converters at all. They are simply motor starters, and then they drop out of the circuit once the motor is spinning. The tool runs on single-phase power, which is not entirely healthy.

   However, for just a few bucks, you can take a starter-type static converter and turn it into a balanced static converter with run capacitors. This will perform almost as well as a rotary converter.

   By the way, simply adding an idler motor to one of these starter-type static converters does not make it into a rotary converter. The motor will do nothing more than consume more power. If it is a balanced static converter, then yes, adding a motor is all that separates it from a rotary converter.

1. 
   GaryK | Mar 28, 2007 03:48am | #6

   Hi RIck,

   I am delighted that you jumped in to this. Perhaps you can help me straighten out my questions.

   You wrote "...The tool runs on single-phase power, which is not entirely healthy." Can you elaborate on the potential dangers to my machines' "health? 

   You also wrote, "However, for just a few bucks, you can take a starter-type static converter and turn it into a balanced static converter with run capacitors." Can you explain how to do this in very simple terms or in the alternative what to look for in a static converter that would be "balanced" at purchase?

    

   See the thing is that I live in canada. The prices for Canadian made rotary products is about $1200. If I purchase the (frequently available on Ebay) USA products that semm to be about $ 400, by the time Canada customs, brokers and delivery all kick in, it comes to about the same thing. I will do it later on, but we all live with the realities of financial constraints. Still it seems to be a bad idea to pass up an Oliver planer and jointer, if I won't damage them with a cheeper static converter. How do I tell if it "fails" in any manner that would cause damage or do the machines just not work, sort of 'no harm no foul'?

    

   I eagerly awit your replies to my questions.

   Thank you

   gary

1. 
   RickChristopherson | Mar 28, 2007 09:57am | #7

   I think a lot of your questions would be answered in my article on building a phase converter. Even if you don't build one, it should educate you. However, at the time I wrote this, I didn't realize that most store-bought static converters were just starters, so don't confuse my discussion with them. My article assumed these were balanced, expecially with their cost, but I have learned otherwise since then.http://waterfront-woods.home.att.net/Articles/phaseconverter.htm