Phase perfect

[Jsd245]

So now that I have my lathe home I need to figure out the three phase power. I've done a lot of searching and read a bunch of threads, vfd vs static phase converter vs rotary phase converter . Not a lot of threads about the phase perfect. Expensive I know , but I like the simplicity of just being able to have a 3 phase panel and power more than one machine. Anyone using one?

 

[f350ca]

Have been using one for about 18 years now. Probably paid for itself in efficiency. Has for the most part been trouble free, this summer however it failed to power up. Called Phase Perfect to see if anyone in Canada repaired them. Apparently boards are no longer available for mine, but he talked me through trouble shooting it. Has 3 little led's on the board. He immediately said that's the filter capacitors. Checked them and yes they were bad. The motor rewind shop in town had them in stock. Been running fine since.
It makes a faint high pitched 20k hertz squeal that I no longer hear, but now a relay or transformer gives off a very slight hum. Should have an indicator light on it to remind me to turn it off.
Have it running a 10hp motor on the big lathe, a Hardinge lathe and a surface grinder.

Greg

 

[Beckerkumm]

PP now makes a couple of models. the original is the more expensive and I've never heard of anyone who wasn't happy with it. The lower end model seems to be less desirable- hence the lower price. The 10 hp original will power my 12 hp planer or sander with no issues, assuming the input amperage is 70 amps. The benefits of the PP are less noise but more importantly, balanced power to all size motors. Important if there are a lot of electronics on the machine or you need to run a 1 hp and 10 hp. There are balanced RPC as well for about half of the PP so they are an option if cash is low. Used PP come up periodically as well. the old Blue model should be cheap as the boards are no longer supported. the white models seem to go for 2000-3000 used.

Dave

 

[Jsd245]

The enterprise model not the cheapest but also not the most expensive- 7.5hp model goes for about $2500. It should be enough to run what I need. I wont t have anything big, maybe 4 motors total (0bviously not running at once)the biggest being 3hp. At most. It just seems way easier to use this then deal with setting up 3-4 vfds.

 

[RandallsRaceShop]

I've been running a small PP for about 1.5 years. I made the huge mistake of mounting it close to the lathe. I turned it on & was immediately VERY unhappy with my poor decision making on the mounting location. Stupid a$$ thing makes a god awful high pitched whine & it's not quiet! It works just fine, I can't stand the sound though. I'd like to move it, but that's time & material to get power back over to the lathe.
I highly suggest not mounting it anywhere near your lathe if you can help it! ! !

 

[GT-6 Racer]

If you are running anything other than simple single motor machines, I highly recommend just installing a 3-phase convertor of some sort and a proper 3-phase breaker panel. I've installed a 20HP American Rotary system with the idler/generator outside the shop about 5 yrs ago. My friend has a 10HP PP in his shop and it also works great. I'm running about a dozen machines (not all at once of course) including a Haas TL1 and a Trak bed mill that do run simultaneously with no issues at all. Although I may need to increase the side or parallel up for a bigger VMC. So consider ultimate total load size before you purchase, leave a little head room for sure.

 

[rwm]

Is the noise thing a real issue? How loud are we talkin'? Should it be mounter outside?

 

[RandallsRaceShop]

Is the noise thing a real issue? How loud are we talkin'? Should it be mounter outside?

I wouldn't go as far as mounting it outside. Knowing what I know now, I would have mounted it all the way across the shop next to my electric panel which is about 30' from the lathe/mill "area".

Just don't do this!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The regret is real.

 

[Jsd245]

I wouldn't go as far as mounting it outside. Knowing what I know now, I would have mounted it all the way across the shop next to my electric panel which is about 30' from the lathe/mill "area".
View attachment 516472
Just don't do this!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The regret is real.

Which model is that? Unfortunately where the lathe needs to go is right near the electrical service so the phase perfect will be close.

 

[borges1]

If you are running anything other than simple single motor machines, I highly recommend just installing a 3-phase convertor of some sort and a proper 3-phase breaker panel. I've installed a 20HP American Rotary system with the idler/generator outside the shop about 5 yrs ago. My friend has a 10HP PP in his shop and it also works great. I'm running about a dozen machines (not all at once of course) including a Haas TL1 and a Trak bed mill that do run simultaneously with no issues at all. Although I may need to increase the side or parallel up for a bigger VMC. So consider ultimate total load size before you purchase, leave a little head room for sure.

I'm considering a PP for my next shop - needing a similar load and multiple machines as your +/-20hp. I would do a separate 3ph panel as you suggested. Is there a reason you think the rotary is better than the PP at this scale/use? Not familiar with VMC. I don't currently have a full size wood cnc, but its likely in the future. Any reason to up size a PP for that (potential future) load vs just getting another separate 3ph system for that entire setup? It would be a big jump in the load without an immediate, or potentially ever use.