3520C and single phase

[Karl Best]

I've just moved into a new-to-me house, and need to wire up the garage for power. Unfortunately three-phase isn't available on my street (unless I wanted to pay the power company my entire retirement savings to run a wire), so I'm stuck with single-phase. How do I get my 3520C to run? The electrician suggested that I swap out the motor on the lathe, but I'm hoping that the electrician could instead install a phase converter. But I'm no electrician, so I don't know what I'm talking about. A search of this forum gives me some discussions about VFDs and inverters, but no-one with this specific issue. Any suggestions?

 

[Larry Komroff]

Karl, the 3520 all versions require 220 volts AC single phase to run unless yours is custom. . The VFD converts the single to three phase. Three phase power is not available in most residential locations. I suggest looking at the manual page 11 found here 3520C

 

[Dave Landers]

Like Larry said, unless you have modified your 3520, you don't need 3-phase, just single-phase 220. That's the same juice used by electric clothes dryers, range/oven, air conditioner, etc. Unless you have a really old house or are really rural you probably have 220 in your main panel.

 

[Karl Best]

So it's built in? The label on the motor says three phase.

 

[Larry Komroff]

So it's built in? The label on the motor says three phase.

Yes it is built in. If you look at the manual, you will see the electrical requirements

 

[Karl Best]

Thanks! I was just looking at the motor rather than the manual.

 

[Dennis J Gooding]

Thanks! I was just looking at the motor rather than the manual.

The VFD system takes single phase power and converts it to variable frequency three phase power that runs the three phase motor.

 

[robo hippy]

This is the biggest improvement to the newer lathes is that we can have 3 phase motors in our shops without having to run 3 phase current into the house. I have yet to try the servo motors that the Harvey lathes have. I think the phase converters are a big step up from the old DC motors, which did offer variable speed, but were not as reliable as the 3 phase motors. Have fun with your lathe!!!!

robo hippy

 

[Steve Saah]

If you have open breaker slots in your existing electrical panel, adding 220 power is a very simple process. Running the wire from your panel box to your garage may be another story though.

 

[john lucas]

there is one really nasty disadvantage to variable frequency drives. They don't handle lightening or power overloads. I unplug mine every night and anytime a storm is nearby. I've had several friends lose their power supply and read about more on the forum. So really any lathe with variable speed is going to have problems. DC variable speed loses power at slow speeds and the power supplies tend to go bad after a number of years. Reeves Drives require frequent cleaning and maintenance or they don't work properly. But really the 3 phase motors with VFD's are a great advancement. Mine is 20 years old and still working but like I say I do unplug it.

 

[Tom Gall]

there is one really nasty disadvantage to variable frequency drives. They don't handle lightening or power overloads. I unplug mine every night and anytime a storm is nearby. I've had several friends lose their power supply and read about more on the forum. So really any lathe with variable speed is going to have problems. DC variable speed loses power at slow speeds and the power supplies tend to go bad after a number of years. Reeves Drives require frequent cleaning and maintenance or they don't work properly. But really the 3 phase motors with VFD's are a great advancement. Mine is 20 years old and still working but like I say I do unplug it.

I agree! I always unplug my lathe after use. My General is 26 yrs. old and never had a problem ... of any kind. If a strong storm is predicted I also unplug my other machines. A lightning hit can fry everything plugged in - happened to my neighbor a long time ago.