3 phase bandsaw

[sgoti]

I have just bought a 3 phase bandsaw. And it has a 5 pin plug. All the phase converters i have seen for sale only have a socket for a 4 pin. Is it possible to get one? Or other wise i will have to put a single phase motor on it

 

[Farmergrum]

are you sure all the pins on the plug are being used?

 

[Hesston4860s]

5 pin three phase is where there's also a neutral, does your bandsaw use a neutral ?. You might be able to change the plug if not.

 

[sgoti]

No i will check

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I have just bought a 3 phase bandsaw. And it has a 5 pin plug. All the phase converters i have seen for sale only have a socket for a 4 pin. Is it possible to get one? Or other wise i will have to put a single phase motor on it

If you take the cover off, you might well find that its delta connected - no neutral just L1, L2, L3 and earth. Just wired up a 7.5kW compressor like this.

 

[Farmergrum]

That is how i imagine you will find its wired up.... if so, then just get someone qualified to swap the plug, and make sure phases are the right way round...

 

[sgoti]

No the neutral isn't conected its just taped up. Will this run ok on a phase converter? Are the ones from machine mart any good? I have been told that they can run in reverse

 

[renewablejohn]

Get a commercial sparky to sort you out. 3 phase is not to be played with it does not take prisoners.

 

[TheTallGuy]

No the neutral isn't conected its just taped up. Will this run ok on a phase converter? Are the ones from machine mart any good? I have been told that they can run in reverse

4 pin connection is quite normal for motor connection - the three windings will be 'balanced' therefore there should be no need for a neutral connection if star wired, if delta wired then there is no neutral point. There shouldn't be any problem with using a phase converter, if it runs in reverse then you simply swap two of the phases over in the plug, e.g. L1 & L2

 

[joe soapy]

What HP is it ? converters can be expensive, might be that a tractor driven 3 phase generator is a viable option.
Lots were used on dairy farms for emergency power. Could even power it direct from the pto if its a big one

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

No the neutral isn't conected its just taped up. Will this run ok on a phase converter? Are the ones from machine mart any good? I have been told that they can run in reverse

You need to give us more info - like the motor size or nameplate rating of the saw. Can't say otherwise.

Remember - whatever the total power draw, will have to go via a single phase, so you could be looking at a 32A circuit or maybe more. Could be a limiting factor.

 

[sgoti]

Motor

 

[Netherfield]

Phase converter will probably cost more than a single phase motor @£100-£130

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I'd agree. Its only a little motor - can you swap it out easily enough, foot mounted or flange mounted?

 

[joe soapy]

a converter will be usefull for other potential finds, the good ones give speed control and reverser, very usefull for drills and lathes and milling machines

 

[sgoti]

Yes have been thinking that it would be cheaper to put a single phase motor on. And its foot mounted. Thanks every one for the help

 

[TripleSix]

Just fit a VFD.

Pretty cheap, gives you speed control and soft start etc.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

With a little motor - he has good choices - could go either phase converter/VFD or swap out with 1-ph motor for peanuts. Perhaps if he has plans to buy other three phase kit could go phase converter/VFD - but then it would need to be man enough to run bigger motors etc, so the cost saving may rather be an investment in more gear.

I think the cheapy phase converters from Machinemart are fixed frequency/speed output - they are only 1 to 3 phase. Bells and whistles will be double the price.