Cal wrote, "...As for the transformer route, that's NOT a very good solution. The current inrush for a large transformer will trip the breaker unless you really oversize the circuit and the rotary phase converter. Much cheaper to swap out the motors (or have them rewired) if they aren't dual voltage." & also wrote, "...but have you looked at the data plates on the motors? What do they say?"
Yes, my motors are 3ph 240 or 480V compatible. To switch to 240V operation is easy for the motor connections as it is right there on the motor plates. That does require taking into account the Amp increase of the motor feed wiring (Is the wire large enough?). Then there are the motor contactors that I actually just discovered don't care which voltage once the internal transformer is configured (easily configurable actually) on the terminal board. The magnetic motor start coil is on the secondary side of the internal transformer. OK. I get it (only had to take time to look at the wiring diagram & wiring chart 30 minutes before the light bulb came on)!
In a sense, my desire to keep the machine stock as it has been it's whole 58 year life makes no sense - because the machine is designed to perform (with proper minimal wiring changes) on either voltage). I simply did not want to change that dynamic.
Correcting my original incorrectly ordered rotary phase converter mistake is best handled by returning the converter to have it reconfigured for 1ph 240V / 3ph 240V operation. From there in further getting all the right parts together the cheapest route would be to convert the mill to 3ph 240V as described above. The addition of a 3ph 240/480V transformer after the phase converter would be the middle price value (keeps the mill as is). I really only mentioned this on the CrankyOldMan's Thread to make him aware of more cost effective measures than the path I have taken. If I ever start a You Tube Channel: I'll be The Impractical Machinist. LOL. At least I would show & introduce more cost effective alternatives to my own old school stubborn ways!
Pic very soon.
Yes, my motors are 3ph 240 or 480V compatible. To switch to 240V operation is easy for the motor connections as it is right there on the motor plates. That does require taking into account the Amp increase of the motor feed wiring (Is the wire large enough?). Then there are the motor contactors that I actually just discovered don't care which voltage once the internal transformer is configured (easily configurable actually) on the terminal board. The magnetic motor start coil is on the secondary side of the internal transformer. OK. I get it (only had to take time to look at the wiring diagram & wiring chart 30 minutes before the light bulb came on)!
In a sense, my desire to keep the machine stock as it has been it's whole 58 year life makes no sense - because the machine is designed to perform (with proper minimal wiring changes) on either voltage). I simply did not want to change that dynamic.
Correcting my original incorrectly ordered rotary phase converter mistake is best handled by returning the converter to have it reconfigured for 1ph 240V / 3ph 240V operation. From there in further getting all the right parts together the cheapest route would be to convert the mill to 3ph 240V as described above. The addition of a 3ph 240/480V transformer after the phase converter would be the middle price value (keeps the mill as is). I really only mentioned this on the CrankyOldMan's Thread to make him aware of more cost effective measures than the path I have taken. If I ever start a You Tube Channel: I'll be The Impractical Machinist. LOL. At least I would show & introduce more cost effective alternatives to my own old school stubborn ways!
Pic very soon.