Sorry, I forgot to mention the sequence of events to start the power. First I flip on the toggle switch to get the smaller motor going (220 volt, single phase). Once it has achieved full RPM, I throw the switch lever on the Square D box. This sends power to the 5 Hp 3 phase motor, getting it spinning. Once the three phase motor is is running at full RPM, I switch off the smaller motor via the toggle switch. In the past I have accidentally switched on the three phase motor without first getting it spinning and it makes an awful sound like a whale farting or something. It can't be good for the motor, nothing that makes that sound usually is....:nono:
The guy who put the converter together makes them as a way to keep busy while retired. I didn't know there was such a need for these things in woodworking...My next big project is to rewire my entire shop utilizing conduit and adding airlines. Last year I hauled off 8 or 9 hundred pounds of scrap conduit that I could of used but I was not thinking ahead-now I'll have to pay for the stuff.:angry: