need Powermatic advice

[William Dotten]

My powermatic 3520A went down. Powermatic`s opinion is probably the inverter and its specific program for my model went bad. So I said "send me a $900 new one.
I was warned that seeking it elsewhere might have wrong or no programming. I have waited months now and need to wait more, apparently it is on a slow boat from China
Has anyone else had a similar problem and experience?

 

[john lucas]

Check below. There is a list on programming a VFD for a Powermatic

 

[Mike Johnson]

You could purchase a cheap China VFD rated for your motor on your lathe and wire it up to run until you get the factory unit.
Just make sure you draw out a wiring diagram for how the factory has it wired right now. You can take some photos of the
wiring or take a video of de-terming all of the wiring to remove the old VFD to make it easier when rewiring later on.

 

[Dean Center]

Many of us have purchased VFDs and installed them on Powermatics. VFDs have become basically like toasters. A $200 VFD in today's world is better than the VFD that came with your Powermatic. They are not quite plug and play, but the wiring is pretty straightforward and the programming has been done before by others. There are resources on this forum to help.

 

[Eddie Howard]

Thanks for your question and the answers. I have a similar problem with my A. (Powermatic that is)

 

[Philip Peak]

I am going through the same problem right now, replacing my VFD. I did find a replacement on eBay and when I last looked they were still available. same model Number as my original. Programming it has not been easy but I think I might have it sort of. it now will turn on occasionally but I think my power switch is faulty (it's no longer available either). I'm beginning ti think I might just find me a togge switch somewhere and put it in instead of the push pull. I am posting a link to the VFD I got.

New In Box DELTA VFD015B21A Inverter 1.5KW 220V | eBay

DELTA VFD015B21A. New In Box. We believe ourWide Product Range will be your selection. What should I do if the item quality is bad / does not fit ?. Where can I find a RMA ?. Sure thing. And we are more than willing to assist you any further.

www.ebay.com

 

[Dean Center]

Powermatic on-off buttons are an ordinary switch, readily available at little cost from suppliers such as McMaster-Carr, Grainger, or even Amazon.

 

[Peter D'Attomo]

Check this company Automation direct

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/drives_-a-_soft_starters/ac_variable_frequency_drives_(vfd)/general_purpose_vfds#start=0

 

[Darryl Fective]

Powermatic on-off buttons are an ordinary switch, readily available at little cost from suppliers such as McMaster-Carr, Grainger, or even Amazon.

Or just use a couple light switches for just a couple bucks.

The generic VFD I picked up on Amazon was pretty easy to wire up and program. It's been running great for 5 years and if it died tomorrow, it owes me nothing. For just $124, I'd buy the same one again.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WWG9BS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Brent Sobotka]

A few months back, I bought a 3520B from a gentleman who got frustrated with trying to fix it. He bought a new, $900 VFD from Powermatic, and even had their service techs install it. Never got it to work properly. Once I got it home, I figured out that it wasn't programmed correctly...directly from Delta, through Powermatic. I got it mostly working, except for the braking. I think the VFD is actually faulty. I'm probably going to buy a new one and start from scratch. So, getting one from Powermatic is no guarantee that it's going to work.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

Check this company Automation direct

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/drives_-a-_soft_starters/ac_variable_frequency_drives_(vfd)/general_purpose_vfds#start=0

I have used Automation Direct in the past and highly recommend them as they backup all of the products they sell and still give you a low price point.
If you give them the model number of the machine they may be able to supply a direct replacement of the defective part.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

I have used Automation Direct in the past and highly recommend them as they backup all of the products they sell and still give you a low price point.
If you give them the model number of the machine they may be able to supply a direct replacement of the defective part.

Also note that they are an excellent source for replacement VFDs that have built in parameter setting capability.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I bought a 3520-C when they first came out. About 6 months ago, the "on" switch became very iffy, only starting every 4th or 5th attempt. I called Powermatic, and they sent me a replacement switch free of charge. I have had no problems since the switch was replaced.

 

[Steve Lillie]

William, I imagine you have been able to get that inverter worked out by now, 9 months later. If you or anyone needs parameters for the latest version of the 3520B Delta inverter, Delta-VFD-MS300 VFD7A5MS21ANSAA, I can send you the parameters I got from PM. Google Doc Green to find photos/advice on various topics, including inverter installation.

 

[Darryl Fective]

With as many Powermatics that have crapped out VFD's, maybe I should program the cheap generic ones form Amazon and resell as a plug & play option. I have an extra one sitting here on my shelf...

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

With as many Powermatics that have crapped out VFD's, maybe I should program the cheap generic ones form Amazon and resell as a plug & play option. I have an extra one sitting here on my shelf...

Or better yet go to a reputable dealer like "Automation Direct" pay a little more then Amazon and get good customer support. The 6 VFD,s I currently have in my shop have never failed and that includes the one on my wood lathe that is used the most and is constantly covered in dust and shavings. The oldest is a Cutler Hammer branded unit that is on my Bridgeport Mill and was installed about the year 2000. I also installed an older Allen Bradley unit from about 1995 on my brothers lathe. Also I never heard of Delta brand until they started showing up on PM lathes.