Three phase blower questions?

[dubliner]

Thanks to Rob Reddick I am now the proud owner of a 3phase monster - looks like something from an Mi Abrams - Anyway, I have thoughts as to how get power for it, namely a static convertor, but others are possible too. I also have a 3 phase sander about 7hp that needs power also - BTW No 3 phase available in area. So as for placement, noise etc, would it be prudent to place the whole thing in an enclosure outside the shop for noise ( adjoining wall to Bot )If I got a big enough Rotary , what would that require. Or should I mount the blower under the table & per Robs instruction run the muffler outside, But as ususal I will do 1 mont planning this and one weekend installing it. So I would appreciate your input from those with a similar blower and knowledge of 3 phase power. Its a PFZ 15hp 208/230/460 v unit.
7029

[wberminio]

Neville

I have a 16hp 3 phase Reg.Blower
I was fortunate to have 3 phase in my shop.
Sorry I can't help you with the phase converters.

My blower is behind my Bot.I hope to one day enclose it.
I have waited, because even though, it is loud ,it is not high pitched like a standard shop vacuum.

You are going to love laying a sheet out and not be able to even budge it.

I did put a valve on the exhaust so I could direct the hot exhaust outside in
summer and in the shop in the winter(to help heat the shop).

Have Fun!

[sawkerf]

I would recommend a rotary converter. I have used one from this company (americanrotary.com)for 6 yrs with no problems.

[mims]

if you have an extra 3ph motor you can use a pull cord or lawn mower motor to get it spinning and feed it with 1ph power.. then send its wires over to your pump/motor. homemade rotary converter. my friend's dad does this for his bridgeport mills. I am not totally familiar with exact wiring, but remember it was pretty simple. The motor would need to be same or, better yet, bigger than the blower's HP.

[bcondon]

I agree with KIP. A rotary converter will give you the best transfer from Single phase to three phase. Static converter would be ok of an application FOR A BLOWER but you will get more HP out of the rotaty.

My dad has a bridgeport miller with a static converter and he was never happy with it. He felt it lost a lot of power when cutting. Also, many of the machinists would quickly drop the machine into reverse as a high speed brake. The machine did not brake very well which caused him a lot of frustration... He converted to a single phase motor and was a happy camper.

[dubliner]

Are there any recommended resources for building one, what Ive found is a little confusing for me, having just got the hang of 240 V, if anyone could direct me that would be awesome as I'd like not to spend more on the convertor than the blower - the wife is already curious about that big grey engine I came home with.

[ghostcreek]

Couple more uses for a blower/vacuum, I use mine to run whats called a vacuum coater, I "pull" paint across moulding when I make white primed moulding (finger jointed & MDF). Works cool, runs fast. My "hold-down"/Coater blower exhaust is also used for pre drying moulding. Yes, I make alot of moulding runs. I also put a rain cap (like on tractor exhaust) on my oldside exhaust for: yes, you guessed it, keep the rain/snow out when it is not running. It has not affected performance.

[zeykr]

I want to second Erminio's suggestion to set up the exhaust so that you can pipe it outside during summer and inside during winter - they put out a lot of heat and no reason to waste it in the winter.

My 7.5hp blower on the PRT is under the table and I just have a piece of dryer hose I direct outside when it's warm. It's noisy but not real bad.

The new 16hp blower for the PRS will be outside in a shed on back of building. Still planning how I'll set up to switch the exhaust.

I'm lucky enough to have 3ph power out here in the sticks, but a friend in town is running his spindle and 13hp blower on rotophase along with a large belt sander with no problems.

[kubotaman]

Neville, try these sites for some help. Since you may want to build your own it may help you. I have used a rotary for the last 20 years and have never had any problems.

http://www.usphaseconverterstandards.org/buildyourownphaseconverterplans.htm

http://www.phaseconverter.com/

http://www.americanrotary.com/


http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/index.php?ubb=forum;f=3;hardset=0;start_point=0;Da ysPrune=0

[curtiss]

Neville,

At least you have the "luck of the Irish" going for you if you try to build your own phase convertor....

[dubliner]

Yes I'll be the first Irishman in Outerspace if I do it wrong :-), So if anyone has a 15 hp blower on an RPC what size minimum does the RPC need to be for a 208/230/460 v unit, Any Ideas, theres so much information out there I'm more confused than when I started. TIA Dubliner " A small step for man, but a huge shock for an Irishman" NS

[mark_stief]

Neville
I have mine on a 20hp converter and it works well get ahold of Superior Phase Converters 800-603-7636
you will get a motor and control box that will start it with 220 single phase and convert to 220 three phase also very very helpful people I have two of them