Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 50

Thread: Powtran VFDs

  1. #1
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default Powtran VFDs

    Gents, some of you may be interested in these great value full vector drive VFDs from Powtran.
    I have purchased 3 them direct from the factory in china and the service has been excellent.

    Recently I purchased a base model (PI160Z) 1.5kW 220V VFD with braking circuitry for US$78.
    The will only use a full on shipping service like DHL which is ~US$40 but for less than the price of an HY, you get full vector drive and braking circuitry included

    Here is Photo of the PI 160 compared to the 1.5kW HY.

    IMG_2587.jpg

    As well as this PI160 I have purchase a couple of PI930s which are industrial strength devices but are not that much more expensive.
    The Manual is EXCELLENT except it is WAAAAY too thick and takes some wading through to find the usual info.

    In the WWF I have set up a thread about VFDs and the Powtrans including some prices and the Powtran OS email contact.
    VFD install summaries

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    Making us do a treasure hunt BobL ?

    Might be looking to get a few VFD's in the future so figured I would have a look
    Didn't find the info until page 5 of that topic
    To save everyone else hunting I'll quote your post here

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I have been dealing with Powtran in China to purchase a decent quality 3P-3P VFD.
    I started out trying to go through their Alibaba portal but that was hopeless so I approached them direct and their response has been EXCELLENT.

    Powtran's latest entry level Vector Drive VFDs (PI9130A series) are full vector drive with the braking circuitry built in, dual speed potentiometer, dual displays and a host of other features - most of which we will never use.

    The standard large red LED display shows any value that a machine operator would need to see, while the smaller 4 line OLED (multi-lingual) display screen shows other parameters and is useful for programming. These are much more ruggedised units than the comparable Huanyang VFD models and given the quality, the prices are very reasonable.

    You have to ask for a quote and while Was at it I asked for some 220-380V model prices and this is what they provided.
    Their 1.5HP model (1R5G1) is US$115
    The 3HP (2R2G1) is US$129
    5HP (004G1) is US$160
    Delivery via DHL is US$40

    I ordered a 1.5HP 3P-3P VFD (1R5G3)and it was the same price as the 1R5G1.
    So for a total of AUS$200 I get a full vector drive VFD with a host of useful features.

    The contact email is [email protected]
    The contact name is Nicole Chan.

    Back in post #11 of this thread I did a side-by-side comparison of an older model Powtran (PI9100 series) with the HY and you can see some of the differences.
    And another from page 6
    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I got some more prices on VFDs from Powtran.

    The Mini or Budget / entry level 240V VFDs (PI160 models) with vector control
    2.2kW with no e-brake circuitry are US$85 (Model Number PI160 2R2G1)
    1.5kW with no e-brake circuitry are US$73 (Model No, PI160 1R5G1

    The braking circuitry adds ~$5 onto the price (braked model numbers have a Z added to the end of them)
    Brake resistors cost US$7

    Shipping adds a further US$40 but you should get it within a week - my last order took 3days!

    These Entry level 240V VFDs only go up to 2.2kW above that you have to go to more pro units.

    Even including the shipping these prices are cheaper than comparable HY models which don't have vector control.
    Might have to do some more looking into them, price seems pretty good

    Cheers
    Wayne

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Thanks Wayne, I was going to quote that info in my first post thread but I had to rush off.

    One thing I forgot to mention in the post above was I've had a bit of a play with the PI 930 model and the dual line display is pretty handy when programming - one line shows the original value of a parameter while the other one shows the changed value. Being able to show two different parameters while running is also handy. The removable front panel also has a bunch of memories in which complete sets of settings can be stored which would make swapping around the VFD to different machines a lot easier. If you had a couple of spare panels you could even just swap out the panels for each machine type

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    I have an older powtran, it's manual wasn't spectacular but not bad. Good to see they are still around.
    I am very happy with the vfd itself except I wish it had braking.
    I've got it set to slow down too quickly, and if it is running faster than 50hz I get an overvoltage error. Suppose I had better dig out the manual and fix it Powtran VFDs
    And finish my remote panel.


    -russ

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by russ57 View Post
    I have an older powtran, it's manual wasn't spectacular but not bad. Good to see they are still around.
    The manual on these is very good - better than the HY and comparable to a Honeywell VFD.

    I am very happy with the vfd itself except I wish it had braking.
    I've got it set to slow down too quickly, and if it is running faster than 50hz I get an overvoltage error. Suppose I had better dig out the manual and fix it Powtran VFDs
    What have you got it connected to?
    Over voltage error sounds normal for a standard VFD trying to decelerate a machine too fast. Unless it can take a brake there's naught you can really do about it. Constant OV errors can also eventually damage the VFD - one of mine connected to an 8" grinder blew a cap and something else doing this once too often. Eventually I removed the deceleration parameter altogether and let it free coast to a stop. Adding a brake to a grinder could result in wheels loosening so its better that it is not braking anyway.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    The manual on these is very good - better than the HY and comparable to a Honeywell VFD.



    What have you got it connected to?
    Over voltage error sounds normal for a standard VFD trying to decelerate a machine too fast. Unless it can take a brake there's naught you can really do about it. Constant OV errors can also eventually damage the VFD - one of mine connected to an 8" grinder blew a cap and something else doing this once too often. Eventually I removed the deceleration parameter altogether and let it free coast to a stop. Adding a brake to a grinder could result in wheels loosening so its better that it is not braking anyway.
    It's on a 6x26 mill. I set deceleration to 2 seconds I think, I'll try around 5 seconds.
    I just need to remember to slow it down before switch off...

    -russ

  7. #7
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by russ57 View Post
    It's on a 6x26 mill. I set deceleration to 2 seconds I think, I'll try around 5 seconds.
    I just need to remember to slow it down before switch off... -russ
    Yeah 2 seconds is a bit quick. Even 5 might not be enough.
    What is it's coast to stop time? You might find you may only be able to only knock a second or two off that.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    229

    Default

    Hi Bob
    lt would seem there has been a jump in postage costs!
    I emailed powtran to get a
    quote on on of their 9130 vfds and a couple of braking resisters, the price was fine but the postage was $80 US ! l was expecting around the $40 which you paid. Not sure why there should be so much difference.
    l also got a quote on 3 of the 9130 vfds, postage for them came in at $150 US !
    l know it's still not a bad price for a good vfd, but l hate getting stung so much for postage (almost as much as the item)

    Pete

  9. #9
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Petip View Post
    Hi Bob
    lt would seem there has been a jump in postage costs!
    I emailed powtran to get a
    quote on on of their 9130 vfds and a couple of braking resisters, the price was fine but the postage was $80 US ! l was expecting around the $40 which you paid. Not sure why there should be so much difference.
    l also got a quote on 3 of the 9130 vfds, postage for them came in at $150 US !
    l know it's still not a bad price for a good vfd, but l hate getting stung so much for postage (almost as much as the item)

    Pete
    Yeah I notice that on my last order - I wonder if they're playing the - recover costs by playing the shipping game.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    Looks like I am in the market for a new one...
    Went to use the mill today, error e.lu low voltage.
    Power cycled a couple of times and eventually got the motor to run, but sounded like it was hunting, or struggling to get to speed. Got my job done, left it running for a few minutes but no improvement. Then a power cycle and now just y04 in the display.

    Was fine a couple of weeks ago, well, maybe 6. Although on reflection it didn't start up first time then either.



    Russ
    Ps, any issues if I get a 2.2kw model with a 1.5kw load?

  11. #11
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    I'd be doing a full factory reset, reinsert basic motor parameters and try again.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    Couldn't hurt...

    Maybe the long time switched off resulted in lost parameters...

    Russ

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    I've just ordered a PI160 2R2G1Z via Nicole. @88 plus freight 28.
    (usd)
    As you noted, very quick and easy.

    Initially she offered the 2.2kw 9000 @ about usd210 delivered including 80 freight , then apologised for mistake and offered the 160.



    Russ

  14. #14
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Excellent, I was just about to post the good news as it just so happens I have been negotiating a cheaper freight rate with Nicole over the last couple of days.

    Info for anyone else, Powtran may still default to use DHL which have recently their freight to ~$80 for a VFD, so make sure you ask for a cheaper freight option.

    The are proposing to use "Australian Special line" the first half kg is us$10 and additional weight is us$3/0.5kg so it sounds like you have about 3kg package.

    I had lined up someone from the WWF else to place an order and told Nicole about it and that he would appreciate the reduced rate but he decided not to go ahead so am glad you did !!

    I'm about to order another.

    Did you try a full factory reset?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    229

    Default

    Hi Bob
    You must be a bit of a sweet talker.
    l was going to purchase a vfd from Nicole a couple of weeks ago, however us$80 was too steep for freight.
    l received another email yesterday from her saying that after talking to her customer 'Bob' she has been able to reduce postage to $49
    Cheers
    Pete

Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Opinions on the current cheap VFDs on eBay?
    By Gunnaduit in forum ELECTRICALS
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 21st Nov 2016, 09:46 PM
  2. Powtran VFD
    By thorens in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 7th Aug 2015, 10:16 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •