Greetings everyone, I'm looking for some opinions and information with regard to installing a VFD in my soon to arrive new PM-1640TL lathe. I have been reviewing the various VFD installations here on HM and associated videos so I have an idea of what I want to do, but of course I'm going to have to do it slightly different than anyone else. My available power sources are 240V 1-phase and 480V 3-phase from a PhasePerfect 20HP converter, which gives me 3 options for powering the machine.
1) Step-down 3-PH transformer to get 240V 3-PH and be done (the transformers are not small, or cheap from what I've found)
2) 480V 3-PH VFD (Yaskawa GA500), re-wire the motor for 480V and get a 480V 3-PH coolant pump
3) 240V 1-PH powered VFD (GA500 but much bigger), leave the motor and coolant pump as they are
Option 1 I don't like so much as it's bulky and expensive and seems redundant in the wrong direction (240V -> 480V -> 240V).
I like the features a VFD brings, and would enjoy reconfiguring the controls, possibly adding a computer/FPGA to the mix in the future as it's another hobby I enjoy and would allow me to add a tach and touchscreen and so on, so the choice really boils down to the tradeoffs between options 2 and 3.
I don't have the machine yet, so I don't know for sure the specs on the coolant pump or if there's a 480V 3-PH "compatible" version of it out there or not. Does anyone know from experience? Or I'll do some searching once the machine arrives. The advantages to option 2 are the VFD can be smaller (not oversized to deal with 1-PH input) and all of the input wiring is also smaller as I believe the motor FLA @ 460V is 7A. 24VDC power supplies from 480V 3-PH are available if the 150mA from the VFD is not sufficient for the controls, however those end up. If I'm reading things right, it looks like a GA50U4009ABA would do it as far as 7.3A HD goes but it also says the HP is 4 instead of 5 in the HD category so I'm a little unsure if I should pay attention to amps or HP?
I'm entirely uncertain which GA500 would be sufficient for 240V 1-PH input. I think it would be the GA50U2042ABA rated for 10HP 33A in the HD category, the next smaller one would be 7.5HP 25A for HD so that's not quite double the FLA of 14A @ 240V. I don't know if I'd be able or want to cheat down a size like that since the frames are the same size (5.5"W x 10.24" H x 5.5"D) and beefier is usually better in my experience. The 480V frame would be 4.25"W x 6.06"D x 5.04"H incidentally, which would definitely help fit it inside the existing cabinet (which I haven't seen yet of course).
Since I can't fire up the lathe until I do SOMETHING about the power, I'd like to get a VFD on the way while I await delivery of the machine and read the VFD documents to come up with a strategy. Does anyone care to venture an opinion on which way they would go and why, and/or have definitive information on my proposed VFD choices?
I am absolutely certain there will be upcoming questions regarding the control strategy but I figure picking the correct VFD and getting it on the way is the proper first step.
Best regards,
-Doug
1) Step-down 3-PH transformer to get 240V 3-PH and be done (the transformers are not small, or cheap from what I've found)
2) 480V 3-PH VFD (Yaskawa GA500), re-wire the motor for 480V and get a 480V 3-PH coolant pump
3) 240V 1-PH powered VFD (GA500 but much bigger), leave the motor and coolant pump as they are
Option 1 I don't like so much as it's bulky and expensive and seems redundant in the wrong direction (240V -> 480V -> 240V).
I like the features a VFD brings, and would enjoy reconfiguring the controls, possibly adding a computer/FPGA to the mix in the future as it's another hobby I enjoy and would allow me to add a tach and touchscreen and so on, so the choice really boils down to the tradeoffs between options 2 and 3.
I don't have the machine yet, so I don't know for sure the specs on the coolant pump or if there's a 480V 3-PH "compatible" version of it out there or not. Does anyone know from experience? Or I'll do some searching once the machine arrives. The advantages to option 2 are the VFD can be smaller (not oversized to deal with 1-PH input) and all of the input wiring is also smaller as I believe the motor FLA @ 460V is 7A. 24VDC power supplies from 480V 3-PH are available if the 150mA from the VFD is not sufficient for the controls, however those end up. If I'm reading things right, it looks like a GA50U4009ABA would do it as far as 7.3A HD goes but it also says the HP is 4 instead of 5 in the HD category so I'm a little unsure if I should pay attention to amps or HP?
I'm entirely uncertain which GA500 would be sufficient for 240V 1-PH input. I think it would be the GA50U2042ABA rated for 10HP 33A in the HD category, the next smaller one would be 7.5HP 25A for HD so that's not quite double the FLA of 14A @ 240V. I don't know if I'd be able or want to cheat down a size like that since the frames are the same size (5.5"W x 10.24" H x 5.5"D) and beefier is usually better in my experience. The 480V frame would be 4.25"W x 6.06"D x 5.04"H incidentally, which would definitely help fit it inside the existing cabinet (which I haven't seen yet of course).
Since I can't fire up the lathe until I do SOMETHING about the power, I'd like to get a VFD on the way while I await delivery of the machine and read the VFD documents to come up with a strategy. Does anyone care to venture an opinion on which way they would go and why, and/or have definitive information on my proposed VFD choices?
I am absolutely certain there will be upcoming questions regarding the control strategy but I figure picking the correct VFD and getting it on the way is the proper first step.
Best regards,
-Doug