Phase converters?

[TAftonomos]

Anyone have any experiance with them?  Looks like I've got a sweet lathe and perhaps a mill tomorrow morning headed my way, but they are 3 phase.  Not NC, so I was thinking of running them with a static/electronic converter.

Only think I know about PC is the last guy I worked for had a LARGE rotary one.  Was expensive (1K) and made a ton of noise.

[rgramjet]

Just so happens Ive got one!  20 HP, still on the crate.

My stupid electrician only looked at my sub panel box which was single phase.  The main panel box is three phase.  Of course, he didnt notice this until AFTER my brand new converter arrived.  "Oops" he said...  Forgot what I paid, but Ill make you a deal.

Where you located?  I'm just outside of DC.

[rgramjet]

http://www.americanrotary.com/rotary-phase-converters.html

Mines the 20, never even uncrated!

[TAftonomos]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overkill for what I need.  Not even sure I've got the amperage available to start that thing up

Also investigating VFD's as a way to make the lathe go around.  I need to learn more about electricity.....110 tickles and 220 kinda stings.  3 phase 220 hurts and I don't wish to sample any type of 440.

[Rob Hilding]

I have a friend who might be interested - just left him a voicemail - will know something tomorrow

[Langanobob]

Check out this forum:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/transformers-phase-converters-and-11.html

Everything you want to know about Phase Converters and VFD's is there somewhere.  They also have good lathe and mill sections.  What kind of lathe and mill are you getting?

[TAftonomos]

Thanks!

Just won the Gov't auction on a 1972 South Bend.  13x40, 3hp/3phase.

Ought to be able to make some parts on that

Axle sliders, swingarm pivot (in Ti), some specialty bolts/hardware, etc..  [moto]