Static Phase Converters -vs- Rotary Phase Converters -vs- Variable Frequency Drives

Wondering what's the best power conversion option for your 3-phase machinery? In this video I discuss Static Phase Converters, Rotary Phase Converters, and Variable Frequency Drives at a high-level. Be sure to read the full write-up for more in-depth information!

My American Rotary AI-20 Rotary Phase Converter:

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[PilotMcbride]

Ah, the term "Rotary Converter" brings back memories of waters long since passed under the bridge. I was the last person trained on rotary converter maintenance in our State here in Australia, back around the time Noah was looking at electricity for his ark. But these were AC - DC converters, not phase converters. Huge bloody things, some with commutators measuring 18ft in diameter and yokes 25 - 30ft in diameter, the smallest about 12ft yoke. All the insulation was either asbestos or mica and a general overhaul (not rebuild) of a unit took weeks. Just the thing for your workshop, lol, IF you want
Sadly I'm the only one left of my old crew, the others all since passed from respiratory disease.
The converter feed in transformers would split the 3 phase mains to either 6 or 12 phase to drive the synchronous motor to generate the DC, the units were run up to speed using DC "pony motors".... The units were huge, noisy mongrel (but very regal) bloody things, lmao!!

These RC units were very robust and their last years were spent testing new DC CB capacities because they were much more robust than the Mercury Arc Rectifiers (also old school technology) and solid state SCRs that were replacing them (both).

Just a quick story from years passed.

Cheers from downunder mate 🙂
🇦🇺 🍺🍺

[grom]

My dad was a Whirley crane operator in Richmond, California way back during WW2. Many years later he finished his long Union career working back in Richmond running again, a Whirley crane. This time he was working at a scrapyard for Levin Metals. The Levin brothers were buying up ships from the mothball fleet that was anchored just east of the Martinez/Benicia Bridge. One day they had a ship delivered to their dock, this was in the 1970s. They didn't know what was in it and only bought it for the scrap value and relied on information from the government. All the ships were sealed and purged with nitrogen to stop the insides from rusting. When. they opened it and went in they were amazed ! The ship was a repair ship and it was full of every metal and woodworking machine they needed to repair the ships at sea. The brothers took inventory and went about selling all the huge metalworking, and woodworking machines nationwide.

[stuartbrazile]

Great vid as always. I'd love to see you do a virtual shop tour for us sometime. I'd love to see the whole thing - Not only the metal shop but the reloading side as well. Cheers!

[easyriderj]

This video was super helpful. Thank you for putting in the time to make this.

[kylebice]

Ever heard of the phase perfect? They work great for multiple loads and powering electronic loads.

[melissatuason]

Wow that was painless and comprehensive super simple

[barryboyd]

Gavin, I did the VFD converting single phase to three phase on an Eisen branded Liang Dei 14x40 lathe from Taiwan. As a matter of fact, I recognize that electrical diagram because I used pretty much the same one (no doubt from the same MJ source). I had no electrical experience at all, so it was very much a case of drinking through a fire hose. The good news was that everything worked perfectly, except the intermittent coolant, which was just a simple error in the diagram that showed a normally closed switch instead of a normally open one. I had a spare switch, so it was a quick fix. The Hitachi VFD gave me the options of variable speed, jog fwd and reverse, coolant on/off/intermittent and fast/slow braking choices using the motor. I wanted all the electrical components located in the lathe itself, so I located the VFD on a sliding drawer in the left/hand pedestal. I converted both access panels to hinged doors and vented the one on the left hand pedestal to ensure the VFD fan could circulate enough air. All in all it was a big job sourcing all the components, figuring out how to fit them all in the available space, making sure all the wiring was perfect, routing the additional wiring and programming the VFD. But, now that it’s done, it was worth it. Never had any issues pop up. Everything just works the way it is supposed to. MJ did a great job on the wiring diagram and VFD programming guide. Variable speed is so nice because you can just use a couple of gears for pretty much everything. I never run the motor at full speed because it just seems unnecessary. Actually, all the added features are nice and I use them all, depending on what I’m doing.

[thankswezilow]

2/3 the power Variable frequency Drive sigle phase and three phase variants cool Thank you gavintoobe channel

[ssswdon]

Nice explanation. I use to install FVD on large AC/Heating air handlers (15+ HP) as part of a energy savings package for commercial buildings. The concept was to slow down the motor in mild weather seasons

[GunFunZS]

You missed the main selling point for the Rotary phase converter . You get one of those postwar heavy detent giant levers. That throw that takes 30 pounds of force and ends with the clunk is satisfying, but what really makes it is that slow building like you're energizing your death-ray.

[robertspringer]

VFDs can run more than one motor, you just have to install external motor overloads. This is done common practice in vibratory pans and cooling fans.

[millomweb]

There's also rotary transformers - also called rotary phase converters but they're actually 3 phase generators. I'm looking into those now.

[randyscott]

Excellent video sir. I cut my machining teeth on a Warner and Swasey turret lathe in high school. It had seen it’s better days but in small job shops without big maintenance budgets the machinists job was to learn the machines personality and compensate. By the way, Swasey is pronounced sway-zee.
Another point on static converters, they work fine on milling machines like Bridgeports and clones because it’s a simple motor to belt drive, but on lathes, which of course are motor to belt but because of the quick change gear box and natural gear backlash it will clatter like crazy. Not good in the long run for the gears, but will probably drive you crazy long before that. Had a small shop on back of my dads garage and used a rotary converter back in the early 70’s. It was sized for my largest motor but I could only run one machine at a time so the compromise was fine. Yours would appear to be able to run several machines at one time with multiple operators. Nice job.

I got a 3 phase metal bandsaw with a 1.5 hp motor. I would like your opinion in using a SPC for it. Thanks, great video.

[julianpoulaki]

I have a Sheldon T 1136 lathe. Has an three phase 220/440. Looking at using a vfd from 110 to run. I’m doing research and appreciate your video. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks

[matthewmcclure]

Is a static phase converter and a digital phase converter the same thing?

[michaelbermingham]

Thank you. I can only buy a VFD, it is cheaper and more readily available than a rotary converter. My 3-phase drill has speed control of its own so I don't need to vary the speed via the converter. Is VFD still a good option?

[hamzadorukyldrm]

Hi there
I've bought a pizza oven lincat po360-2 it's 14.4kw 400v 3phase what size of converter I need to buy!???

[rpeonruzzel]

I have 3 phase compressor, but my source is single phase. Is it possible to supply the compressor using single phase? what should I consider?

[mikerodgers]

Great video. I have a 3 phase vo

Compressor what would you recommend it's not going to. Be continuous running but just a compressor normal shop equipment running on a 7.5 h.p.motor thanks