This thread could get confusing to some. A phase converter needs 2 of the 3 legs powerd with single phase( not one) The 3rd leg , some times called the generated leg, sometimes called the wild leg will kick out its own power once the motor is running. This will give you 3 phases.
Just to make it clear for those that don,t understand, or know. You can get a 3-phase motor to run if you power 2- out of the 3 legs. You dont have to use a pony motor to spin it up and start it. You could , and many have wrapped a rope around the shaft, and give it a pull like you would with a old lawn mower.
Once the 3-phase motor is running, it generates power on the 3 rd leg on its own. Easy enough to check voltage on that leg while its runing. It wont be exactly the same as the other -2 but close enough to get the job done.
On general, the motor used for RPCs is twice the HP of the motor you intend to power off it. From what I have found, if I was to use say a 3hp RPC motor, and use it to power a 3hp lathe, the wild leg would have a very different voltage.
When the RPC motor is atleast twice the size, the voltage of the wild leg is much closer to the other -2 . So, in the case of the 3hp lathe, the close match for a motor would be a 7.5 hp motor for the RPC.
As said, general rule of thumb, is X-2 , and if you go to the next size up, as in the above example, thats fine too. The RPC can be started with a few methods. The pony start, is my perferred method. I wont bother doing it any other way on motors that are 7,5 hp and larger. I have no use for playing around with start caps either. Just adds to the mess of wiring, and as allready said, you can pull start it with a rip cord if you wish. That should tell you exactly what a pony motor is used for, starting the 3-phase motor only.
I,ll give you a for instance on how you can get it rolled over , and started. Now don,t laugh too hard now. A buddy of mine has been starting his with a automotive air gun on the shaft of his, and has for over 10 yrs. So a pony motor isnt the only way. Ive allso seen guys take a recoil off a old lawn mower, and that works too.
I hope that clears it up for some of the guys, if not, ask again. If I can help, I will.
I have assemble many RPCs, But they have all been pony start, to keep it simple. I never liked the massive amount of wiring with cap start RPCs.
As far as using run caps to balance the legs, I have tried before, and found its not worth the effort. On machines that change the load as a lathe does, trying to balance that, I see as pointless.
Just my 5 cents on the topic