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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
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    Default VFD vs 240 single - Hercus 260 options

    Hey folks.

    So I have my lovely Hercus 260 ATM home. But I have a 240v single phase home, not a 3 phase home.

    I'm leaning towards a cheapo Huanyang VFD to fire up the lathe. I have a couple of brothers, one a qualified elekchicken, the other an electronics (BAE Systems) whizz, to help me work things out. So the VFD seems like the way to go.

    Of course, you can buy 240v single phase motors, but I'm concerned about different shaft sizes/lengths and hacking the hole spacings on the lathe about.

    Have searched around here for awhile but haven't seen any definitive answers. Would love to see some opinions and arguments for and against either method.

    Cheers,



    Moz

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Default

    The first thing is to make sure the motor is convertible otherwise you will be up for another motor.

    Post a photo of the motor name plate and the inside of the motor/3P junction box.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
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    229

    Default

    For my money, a vfd on the lathe is the way to go. I have two identical Sheraton lathes, one single phase the other three phase (vfd) I rarely use the single phase lathe.
    Fwd/reverse, variable speed and adjustable accel/decel as well as smoother running all weigh in favour of the vfd.
    Pete

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
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    1,894

    Default

    Fitting a 240V 1 phase motor to a 260 doesn't bring up problems with shaft size or mounting hole spacing. You select a motor that has the same of these dimensions.
    But it's a tight fit, so problems may come about due to the capacitor(s) that aren't a feature of 3 phase motors, getting in the way due to their bulk.
    I could just fit a 1 ph Teco motor to my 260, after some mods to provide clearance.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South Australia
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    Default

    Thanks guys...I'll post up pics of motor nameplate and junction box later today.

    My 260 is a late model, the motor is an Elektrokovina 0.55kw, I know that much.


    Moz

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
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    South Australia
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    Default Motor/junction pics

    Gentlemen -

    Motor and junction box pics attached. Feedback and opinions welcome. Still leaning towards VFD, but then, I'm new at this.

    Mozmotor wide.jpgjunction box.jpgmotor plate.jpg

  7. #7
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    Yep its directly convertible from 415V3P "Y" to 240 3P "∆".
    It's currently wired as a "Y"
    I suspect the required "∆" connections will be under the junction box cover?

    And while you are at it untangle the twisted blue/black/brown/greeandyellow wires coming into the junction box.
    junction-box.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South Australia
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    Default

    Thanks heaps for your reply, Bob.

    I think that I'll go with the VFD option then...it was always leading by a nose. And yeah, as soon as I saw those twisted wires I grimaced, so that'll be fixed at the time of the VFD wire up. Along with any gremlins I find inside the cabinet.

    Cheers,



    Moz

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MosquitoGarage View Post
    I think that I'll go with the VFD option then...
    It's a must-do mod. I have the same lathe/motor combo as you and I love the VFD. Before the VFD I was constantly moving the belts. Now I very rarely change belt settings. When you set up the VFD be careful to disable the emergency stop function. With a screw-on chuck you can end up wearing the chuck in your guts if the spindle stops too quickly.
    Chris

  10. #10
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    Sep 2018
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    South Australia
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    Good advice, never would have occurred to me.

    "I'm just going to put on this motorcycle helmet and hide behind the cabinet for a sec. I need to remove the chuck, so I'll just use the emergency stop function to speed up the process..."


    Moz

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    Default

    In fact, having the ramp up/down setting set too severe can cause trouble too. I fitted the Hercus faceplate once and fired up the lathe. RPM was too high so I turned the speed down. The faceplate unscrewed and dropped onto the ways where it spun wildly for what seemed like 30 seconds. There was nothing attached to the faceplate, so it just sat there spinning and thankfully didn’t jump out. No damage was done to the V ways or faceplate.
    Chris

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
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    South Australia
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    Default

    I'll keep that in mind...thanks Chris.

    I don't mind admitting I'm pretty excited about getting this lathe fired up. Lots of 'firsts' for me. I'll buy the VFD this week, fit it after the Phillip Island MotoGP in late October (I have my work cut out prepping for the event until then) and after that, expect a lot more questions as I delve into a steep learning curve.

    I have already made a list of the first few things I need to make on the Hercus, although I suspect that the very first things I make will be...scrap!


    Moz

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    Default

    Moz,
    I don't know if you've ever used a lathe before. If not, I found this series of educational videos from MIT really helpful for an absolute newby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za0t2Rfjewg
    Chris

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South Australia
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    Default

    Chris -

    I really appreciate that. My thing (until now) has been aluminium Tig welding. I have never so much as spun up the chuck on a lathe, so any and all information is much appreciated.

    Thanks again,


    Moz

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
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    Default

    Some basic lathe info here:

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/ecrdgnokjm...ctice.pdf?dl=0

    Old but gold!

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