Running 3 phase on single phase

[Matthew]

Hi,
I've been given some exceptionally good advice on here in the past and I'm hoping someone will help with my workshop move. Ive been in the same large space for many years and have ended up with 3 3 phase machines and now only have single phase.

Ive heard vfd's are the way to solve the problem? On the machines themselves they are as follows:
Hammer a3 planer thicknesser 4hp
Multico 2 head tenoner 6hp in total
Wadkin Brs1 spindle moulder 3hp

So, what's the best and simplest way to provide power to them? As its normally just me, I'd never ever use them at the same time.

Any ideas would be very welcome
Matthew

 

[d@rkr00m]

Hi,
I've been given some exceptionally good advice on here in the past and I'm hoping someone will help with my workshop move. Ive been in the same large space for many years and have ended up with 3 3 phase machines and now only have single phase.

Ive heard vfd's are the way to solve the problem? On the machines themselves they are as follows:
Hammer a3 planer thicknesser 4hp
Multico 2 head tenoner 6hp in total
Wadkin Brs1 spindle moulder 3hp

So, what's the best and simplest way to provide power to them? As its normally just me, I'd never ever use them at the same time.

Any ideas would be very welcome
Matthew

VFDs are a solid option, but an RPC might be a better fit for you, especially since you have multiple machines.
An RPC is a single box that takes your single phase power and turns it into true three phase power for your whole workshop.
You would just wire all your machines to a new three phase sub panel.
You'd size it to handle your largest motor (the 6hp tenoner), so a 7.5hp or 10hp RPC would be perfect. It's a bit more expensive upfront, but it's a "set it and forget it" solution that's simpler than running a bunch of individual VFDs.

 

[Matthew]

Hi Darkroom,
This is great advice and I'm now thinking much the same that a rotary converter would be better for my workshop than all the separate vfd's- I'll get looking on Ebay now as I've seen a few for sale and they look solid well made machines
Cheers
Matthew