- Joined
- Aug 7, 2013
- Messages
- 655
:whistle:If you want really cheep! :whistle:
I got this idea from the guy who owns Tried and True Tool in Coon Rapids MN. He had RPCs sitting there but let me in on this.
Find an unwanted 3 phase motor that is 220 and larger than the motor you want to run. Connect the two 220 leads up to two of the three leads on the motor with some sort of a switch/disconnect. Connect your machine motor up to the three legs of the converter motor of course with a switch in between.
Now, any three phase motor will run on 220 single phase once it's spinning. The trick is to get the converter motor spinning. I have mine sitting on the floor. I use my foot and kick it to get it spinning. Once I think it's fast enough, I turn the power on. The converter motor is now running. Now I can run my mill, lathe, and my car hoist. I soon will be adding my tire balancer once I get the threads cut in the nut to hold the wheel on.
I have run capacitors to balance the amps in the phases. I got them used from a local guy who rebuilds motors. Before the capacitors were put in, there was a huge arc (EMF) when I pulled the disconnect on the converter motor. Now I don't see any flash. Other than the flash on disconnect, I don't remember why I needed the capacitors. Maybe someone can fill that one in. I don't have an amp meter. I had a friend come over with a meter and help me balance the system.