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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default Single to Three phase converter

    I spotted this on Ebay Single to Three phase converter, Lathe, Mill, Bandsaw & Press | eBay

    It is being sold from somewhere near me but I don't know who it is and have no affiliation what so ever with the seller.

    I assume that inside that blue box is a single phase motor that is coupled to a 3 phase motor that then acts as a generator to provide 3 phase power.

    I am thinking that no matter how many 3 phase motors are running the maximum power obtained for use would only be about 3 hp, or am I missing something ?

    Also can somebody legally build and sell these ?

    and......I thought that this type of converter was a bit of a backyard job

    shed

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Posts
    357

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shedhappens View Post

    Also can somebody legally build and sell these ?
    Yep check this site out.

    Phase Change Converters - converting single phase power into 3 phase
    Cheers

    DJ

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    This sounds like it is a rotary phase converter, and as such, they can be very effective. It will not however run one 10 HP motor which is fully loaded and actually developing 10HP, from a 10 Amp power point, let alone run 3 of them. 30 HP is around 22.5 Kw, which at 240 volt input is over 93 Amps. The current surge on startup would multiply this several times over, so there is no way a 10 Amp outlet will go anywhere near powering this RPC for 30 HP. Having said that if the power input is up to scratch, then it may well run 3 X10 HP motors, but even if this is outside its capability, a 10 Amp supply would probably run a 2 H.P. motor, especially if it was not a heavy load on start-up, A fan rather than an air compressor for example. R.P.C.s have the advantage over inverter supplies (VFDs or VSDs) that the one power unit can run several motors at the same time, which the others generally can't. There is lots of info about them on the Practical Machinist Website, including a build from one of the forum members here. I hope that this helps,
    Rob.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Acco View Post
    Acco my brother has one of those and it works ok but I think his requires 60 amps at 240 volt and it would also comply with Australian design rules and standards.

    I'm not so sure about the magic blue box one though, he doesn't mention much about compliance

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ropetangler View Post
    This sounds like it is a rotary phase converter, and as such, they can be very effective. It will not however run one 10 HP motor which is fully loaded and actually developing 10HP, from a 10 Amp power point, let alone run 3 of them. 30 HP is around 22.5 Kw, which at 240 volt input is over 93 Amps. The current surge on startup would multiply this several times over, so there is no way a 10 Amp outlet will go anywhere near powering this RPC for 30 HP. Having said that if the power input is up to scratch, then it may well run 3 X10 HP motors, but even if this is outside its capability, a 10 Amp supply would probably run a 2 H.P. motor, especially if it was not a heavy load on start-up, A fan rather than an air compressor for example. R.P.C.s have the advantage over inverter supplies (VFDs or VSDs) that the one power unit can run several motors at the same time, which the others generally can't. There is lots of info about them on the Practical Machinist Website, including a build from one of the forum members here. I hope that this helps,
    Rob.
    Thanks for your reply Rob , if someone buys it then they maybe a bit disappointed I suppose

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