Down until further notice

[PxTx]

That is good news Eric. FWIW, we use Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) to control lots of motors in pump stations. For the benefit of those reading, the VFD will convert the line power to DC and then back to AC. You basically are having a computer precisely control the AC output so the quality of the power you are feeding is much better, than the trash going in. I can't recall the last time we replaced a motor on a pump which is run by a VFD- probably never. The drives will shut down before any real damage can occur and give you the trouble info to correct things.

Now the thing that is also helpful is that you can feed single phase power in to a drive and then when it converts the DC to AC you can create 3 phase output. The 3 phase motor is gonna be a much better motor to live with and you don't have start and run capacitors with 3 phase. Just a suggestion to consider for the time WHEN you need to do something again.

Drives are coming down in price every day, and ebay actually can be a great source for something such as this very application we are discussing.

[VintageMusclecar]

Paul;

That's cool and I really appreciate your taking the time to respond (sincerely, not being sarcastic at all), but you might as well have typed that all in Klingon because I have no clue what any of that means. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

Like I said, I know Jack-squat about electrical issues...I can tell a 110 outlet from a 220, and I can replace a fuse/ re-set a breaker, and I can even MIG weld (sort'a) but I wouldn't know a &quot;Variable Frequency Drive&quot; if one fell out of the sky, landed on my head and started to wiggle.

When you mention AC/DC, the first thing that comes to my mind is Angus Young and Brian Johnson.

Can you break that back down into layman's terms?

Also, this compressor has a &quot;thingy&quot; built in that lets the compressor freewheel once it hits a preset pressure but keeps the electric motor running so it doesn't have to work so hard to restart when the pressure drops enough to cycle it through again. Only problem is, said &quot;thingy&quot; is currently malfunctioning, has been for quite some time. I showed the tech today and he's supposed to consult w/another tech to see if they can figure out why it's not working correctly.

There...I don't feel so dumb now, save for the need to use the word &quot;thingy&quot; in lieu of the appropriate technical term.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Back up compressor motor plan...he runs clockwise for AC power...counter clockwise for DC power [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[PxTx]

Basically the VFD takes incoming power and reconfigures/conditions it.

So with single phase, you only have one pole. You need a capacitor to give it a kick to get moving, and in the right direction. Capacitors are a liablility and they also have a recovery time. That might be why they try to keep the motor running and apply the load to the running motor.

If you use a 3 phase motor, the 3 poles allow you to give it direction by which sequence you wire it in. You also have about 30 percent more power during start up, using just line power. So more starting torque, no capacitors and the fact there are thousands of generic 3 phase motors via Granger and other outlets just begins the list of benefits.

mix in the VFD and you can vary the frequency/ hertz. So when starting, maybe you don't want to shock the equipment. Rather than dumping the full 60 hz all at once, the vfd offers options to more gradually ramp the frequency to the full song, which has many benefits. You also have the ability for practically an infinite number of starts per minute- thus eliminating that &quot;thingy&quot; which is questionable right now.

you can basically use your pressure switch and land 2 wires from the switch right to the drive. Contacts close and the drive starts the motor. Motor will be started however you program the drive. We get more sophisticated with plcs and touch screen interfaces, but for your compressor motor needs...I say spec out a generic 3 phase motor and the appropriate ebay vfd. I like the old GE/Fugi and Toshiba drives.

might be a bit of a ramble. Trying to type this between baths for the kids and other bedtime prep.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Basically the VFD takes incoming power and reconfigures/conditions it.

So with single phase, you only have one pole. You need a capacitor to give it a kick to get moving, and in the right direction. Capacitors are a liablility and they also have a recovery time. That might be why they try to keep the motor running and apply the load to the running motor.

If you use a 3 phase motor, the 3 poles allow you to give it direction by which sequence you wire it in. You also have about 30 percent more power during start up, using just line power. So more starting torque, no capacitors and the fact there are thousands of generic 3 phase motors via Granger and other outlets just begins the list of benefits.

mix in the VFD and you can vary the frequency/ hertz. So when starting, maybe you don't want to shock the equipment. Rather than dumping the full 60 hz all at once, the vfd offers options to more gradually ramp the frequency to the full song, which has many benefits. You also have the ability for practically an infinite number of starts per minute- thus eliminating that &quot;thingy&quot; which is questionable right now.

you can basically use your pressure switch and land 2 wires from the switch right to the drive. Contacts close and the drive starts the motor. Motor will be started however you program the drive. We get more sophisticated with plcs and touch screen interfaces, but for your compressor motor needs...I say spec out a generic 3 phase motor and the appropriate ebay vfd. I like the old GE/Fugi and Toshiba drives.

might be a bit of a ramble. Trying to type this between baths for the kids and other bedtime prep. </div></div>

Paul you are speaking my language buddy.

I don't know all the codes of every Muscle car part known to man, but your &quot;ramble&quot; is my bread and butter.

Throw in a line reactor and you will never have an issue.

And I am a Millwright...........Who says Electrical is for Electricians NOPE!!

Ryan

[Dusk Blue Z]

VFD's are awesome. I took this image at customers remote location, the VFD's saved two $40,000.00 motors from burning up.

[WILMASBOYL78]

That image looks like Tibor's last brain scan [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]