Tpt life Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Your call. If you have an industrial market nearby, three phase scares the average person. Those machines will go for relatively little cost by comparison. One other three phase tool or two and the rotary converter will be a big plus. I see the random three phase pattern jointer pop up here and drool. If you just want to stay away from three phase, any cost will just be peace of mind that you can plug and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I am making an assumption here, but my guess is that this rotary converter 'control panel' is nothing more than a way to automatically start the 'idler ' rotating. I know some folks that simply use an unloaded 3-phase motor as a converter, but use a pull rope to start it spinning as they apply power. This so-called 'idler motor' acts as a rotary transformer to generate the third leg of the 3-phase system. There is probably some safety protection circuitry as well, but the idler motor is really doing the phase conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Sloop Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 You raise a good point about future 3 phase machines and their reduced cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 wtnhighlander is correct. The part that phase craft is selling is just a control panel. Basically a bunch of circuits. They are not selling a motor of any type. Instead you need to supply your own motor to generate your 3 phase power. You can build your own control panel with a bit of patience, some supplies and online plans. Or buy this other one. It looks like ebay commonly sells baldor 5hp single phase motors for under 400 dollars. Probably still the easiest way to go. Just search for the same frame and rpm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabinfever Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 A 5HP single phase Leeson is $375. Not sure the specific mount for Powermatics... more Leesons here. Here's a Baldor. Sell the old motor, put in another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Sloop Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Thanks for the info cabin Fever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Sloop Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Ok, so I talked to a couple motor shops and the motor frame for the PM66 was designed only for the PM66. So, my options are to buy the specific motor (~$800), buy another similar motor and try to rig up a good connection (~$500 for a new, similar motor), or a rotary converter and idler motor ($200 + $150 = $350). I'm leaning towards the converter. I don't like the idea of having to run the converter every time I run the saw, but I do like it gives me the opportunity to own other 3 phase equipment. Shaffer, I have figured out that they make a type of converter that includes the motor. So, I think we were both right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 There are some cheaper single phase motors out there. For example, I google searched the frame and it looks like a 145TC frame which is used for other systems. Here is a new Leeson 5hp for under 400. http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-HP-3450-RPM-145TC-230V-Woodworkers-Dust-Collector-Electric-Motor-120554C-/400342556275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d36469e73 There are plenty of motors at lesser HP which unless you are running larger then 20 amp circuits is probably advisable. This motor operates at 20.8 amps at 230 volts so it will blow a 20 amp circuit some of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Sloop Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Thanks for the great info Apple Wood. I checked the manual and it's actually a C frame, not a TC frame (I verified on the motor name plate). The TC is for the 3 Hp. I have the 5 Hp. I'm not clear on what the differences are in the C frame versus TC frame. I'll see is leeson makes a C frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Lesson makes some very good motors, I hope you find what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Sloop Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 I'll call them on Monday, thanks wdwerker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.