110v 3 phase inverter???

[rbertalotto]

A few months ago I converted my small milling machine from 120V single phase to 230v 3 phase using a China inverter. The project went great, and it is easily one of the best improvements I ever made to my shop!
Now I want to convert my JET 12-36BD lathe to three phase. But running a 230v line to that area of the shop will be a bear.
I see there are 110v single phase to 3 phase inverters available for up to three HP. I would be using a 2HP 3 Phase motor.
My confusion is the specs for these 110V inverters all say they output 110V AC.....Is this per leg? I don't believe there is such a thing as a 110V 3 phase motor?
Currently I have three 10g THHN wires in conduit going to the lathe. I also have other 120v devices on this same circuit so I can't simply use it for a 230v inverter. Or can I run 230V and use one leg for the 120V feeds?

Any suggestions and help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

UPDATE: After some research I decided to use the exact same devices I used on my Milling machine conversion. I did not know that you could have two outlets on a single 230v circuit. I thought I had to run a totally separate 230v line for the lathe. Since the Milling Machine and Lathe are no more than 6' apart, I'm going to simply tap off that feed. There is a double 20a CB in the panel with 10g wire running about 25 feet. If I remember correctly, The 230v VFD with a 2HP motor draws 9A. The lathe and mill will never be on at the same time, but it seems I'll be OK if that ever happens.

 

[markba633csi]

Need to see which inverters you are looking at
It's more efficient to start with a 220 volt source voltage rather than stepping up 110 volts to 220 volt 3-phase
Also it's best to have a dedicated line for the inverter/vfd with it's own separate breaker

 

[matthewsx]

A few months ago I converted my small milling machine from 120V single phase to 230v 3 phase using a China inverter. The project went great, and it is easily one of the best improvements I ever made to my shop!
Now I want to convert my JET 12-36BD lathe to three phase. But running a 230v line to that area of the shop will be a bear.
I see there are 110v single phase to 3 phase inverters available for up to three HP. I would be using a 2HP 3 Phase motor.
My confusion is the specs for these 110V inverters all say they output 110V AC.....Is this per leg? I don't believe there is such a thing as a 110V 3 phase motor?
Currently I have three 10g THHN wires in conduit going to the lathe. I also have other 120v devices on this same circuit so I can't simply use it for a 230v inverter. Or can I run 230V and use one leg for the 120V feeds?

Any suggestions and help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

“Currently I have three 10g THHN wires in conduit going to the lathe. I also have other 120v devices on this same circuit so I can't simply use it for a 230v inverter. Or can I run 230V and use one leg for the 120V feeds?”

You will need four conductors to do this safely.

John

 

[rbertalotto]

Thanks folks, but upon more research, I went ahead and ordered the exact same 230v input inverter, fuse holder, 2hp motor and circuit breaker that I used on my milling machine. Must be my lucky day because all was on sale! Over $100 less than I paid last April 2023.

I will just need to buckle up and run the 230v wiring.

 

[Weldingrod1]

Yes, a 220 in VFD will serve you better!

They make step up VFDs that are 120 vac in, 240 vac out. A nice solution if you can't get higher voltage, but limiting if you only have a 15 Amp circuit.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[rbertalotto]

Thanks for the great information. Here are a few pictures of the VFD that I installed on my mill last year. I ordered the exact same devices and motor for the lathe as they have worked so well for over a year. Comments are welcomed!

 

[CJ5Dave]

I have a 25 ft welder extension cord set up with a 50 amp plug on each end. I have 50 amp plugs for my 450 amp mig welder, 3 HP lathe and 1 hp milling machine, each with its own 3 phase converter. Never mill, weld or turn at the same time so it works out fine.

 

[Nutfarmer]

450 Amp welder on a 50 amp supply? It will work on lower amp outputs. If you try and pull 450 amps on the welder it will blow the circuit.

 

[David2011]

UPDATE: After some research I decided to use the exact same devices I used on my Milling machine conversion. I did not know that you could have two outlets on a single 230v circuit. I thought I had to run a totally separate 230v line for the lathe. Since the Milling Machine and Lathe are no more than 6' apart, I'm going to simply tap off that feed. There is a double 20a CB in the panel with 10g wire running about 25 feet. If I remember correctly, The 230v VFD with a 2HP motor draws 9A. The lathe and mill will never be on at the same time, but it seems I'll be OK if that ever happens.

The number of out isn’t important beyond local code restrictions. Chances are that you wouldn’t be using more than one 240V device at a time. The only time I use 2 240V machines at the same time is with woodworking tools. My table saw and dust collector are both 240V but the total draw is 3.75 HP or 11.65A so not even close to challenging a 20A breaker.

 

[CJ5Dave]

That’s true. It has a 350 amp and 450 amp setting. However, a 450 amp welder does not use 450 amps from the receptacle. My 225 amp Lincoln does not use 225 amp service. my 140 amp 120 volt wire feed welder does not need a 140 amp plug. That’s what a transformer or inverter does. And when would a normal person use a mig at 450 amp.