ADJUSTING A 'TRANSWAVE' 3 PHASE CONVERTER FOR MY LATHE

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[littleworkshopofhorrors]

Plus one for transwave customer service appreciation.

[moyle]

Thanks for your efforts it certainly explains the problem with my trans wave 👍

[madhouse]

Thanks for uploading the video, it was very helpful

[lembriggs]

I forgot about you being a “Hammy” all makes perfect sense now. Lol! Extreme brilliance!

[SjwNz]

My lathe has a 7.5Kw 3phase motor and I only have single phase. So I decided to use a VFD and a voltage doubler to get my 240VAC to around 600VDC. My VFD has the option for a DC input.
I had to rewire my lathe but it was worth it as I set a ramp up of 3sec on my VFD so I am only pulling a max of 40amps from the single phase supply.


I use to have a rotatory phase converter but it would pull 80 to 90amps when starting the lathe and I was always worried I was going to blow the fuse on the power pole.

[oldpup]

I worked with an electronics tech in a machine shop at one time. He was VERY good. Seemed to have a 6th sense about electronics.
When asked how he knew what compnent was failing after just a few minutes, he said he was in the air force and worked on early radar units. Forgot to full discharge the "football" sized capacitors in a unit once and got knocked across the control room in a tower once. After that he said he was very "in tune" with electronics. The guy was a dead on identical twin for Charles Manson, great to work with, scary to look at. :)

[JoeCdaYT]

glad to see that you got that fixed. Never have worked on those myself but do understand how they work.

[VPropaneBurner]

An interesting video for us home 3 phase users. I have a Transwave rotary converter powering the 3kw motor in my Colchester Student. I'm pleased to say I can echo your experience of Transwave's customer service.

[paulrayner]

thats good to know as i have the same piece of equipment. thank you

[Chlorate]

This lead me down an interesting rabbit hole of searching how static phase converters work. Apparently they result in much lower power from the motor, but are much more cost effective than an inverter.

[zukowski]

Keith, if you need to replace the unit consider the newer digital phase converters, they take up much less room and are fully adjustable for input and out put voltage as well as phase conversion. Stay safe in this short term "pandemic world". Cheers from Canada! Thanks for the share!

[musoangelo]

Keith, maybe something to consider. Variable frequency drives have single phase input and 3 phase outputs. Some years ago, I wanted to use my cheap 14" Chinese bandsaw to be able to cut steel. Changing pulleys enough to slow down the motor was going to be a big project and so I went to ebay and bought a VFD rated for 1 HP (746 watts) and a 1 HP 3 ph motor and it works great plus you can change the motor speed with the VFD. I'm not sure what HP motor your lathe has but I'll bet you can find a VFD on ebay and there are you tube vids for setting one up. Just a thought.

[footrotdog]

What actually is the voltage in the shed? You might find it's worth using the 220v transformer tap and then adjusting the boost controller to suit.

[TimsBitsnPieces]

Keith I used to be a radio technician many years ago and that would be right re the input voltage. If you can get your multimeter or an appropriate voltage display device and see what your voltage is at one of your power outlets in the workshop and that will tell you what the voltage is in the workshop. This might help with knowing where to set the dial on the orange box ;) Tim.

[RobSchofield]

Be interested to see what your actual mains voltage is at the shed?

[JeffPedlow]

Great video, keep up the great work :)

[TheFlyingBusman]

Unfortunately despite the disclaimers this is something I would certainly do. I would apologise but then I did complete my electrical/electronic engineering course so I guess I’m now certified to receive electric shocks! Just to be extra sure I would have turned the converter supply power off and your lathe on to ensure complete capacitor discharge. Looks a really good robust unit. I have seen similar devices that work mechanically to create three phases.

[Scynthius]

If, after discharging the capacitors for the second time, they still spark, check to see if the unit is powered up. Learned from experience.

[glenncerny]

I wonder if your voltage drop on the mains coming into the shed is excessive when the lathe is running. You did not day how far the shed is or how large the wire is from the house.

[john]

Keith
I have exactly the same arrangement as you on a Boxford lathe with the Transwave 3 phase converter. It has been in use for about 20 years. The only issue is that it will not provide enough power at large diameters or deep cuts. the Transformer bangs as it hits peak load. I have learned to cope with it. I never thought of altering the setting switch which is like you on 2. I just checked my workshop supply which is 239v, so no power drop off. Have you experienced this as well?
John