Vacuum pump with VFD for a single-phase power supply

[petkocabmill]

Hello,

My shop is running on 220 single-phase power and I wonder if anybody has done a VFD on their vacuum pump (regen blower/rotary vane). Currently, I have a Blackbox Hurricane (lighthouse motors), and it's fine except for small parts. My table is 4x10 and I usually use only 8' of it. I'm currently looking at 10HP rotary vane and regen blowers. What would be a good size, and brand of VFD for that? It should be 1PH input and 3PH output. Some pointers to the install and parms set up would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!!!

[martyscncgarage]

10hp motor? You would probably be better off with a good rotary phase converter for that. Once you leave 5hp, you won't really find single phase VFD's
Huan Yang has a 10hp single phase VFD, but you had better contact them with your application to see if it will hold up. They sell on Amazon HY Electric. I have tested and used them. They seem to work fine, and they do answer support questions.
Otherwise try and find a 20hp VFD that won't trip out with a missing phase. Maybe a large TECO....

[petkocabmill]

I just contacted them on Amazon re their 10HP VFD. There was a guy writing a review that used it on a 10HP lathe and he was happy about it. Will see what they respond.
By the way, Shopbot are offering this setup on an 8.7HP Becker rotary vane and 10HP regen blower. I wonder what type of VFD is used...

Thanks for the input!

[slodat]

Hitachi rates their new SJ-P1 VFD's for single phase supply up to 105a on the three phase side.

I'm using one on a 30a spindle motor and it works quite well. In the case of the vacuum motor, I too would use an RPC. I'm currently installing an American Rotary 20hp RPC to power my 15hp lathe. I'm blown away how well it works.

[slodat]

The horsepower rating of the vfd is not what matters. The VFD needs to be able to deliver the full load current rating of the load.

[martyscncgarage]

Hitachi rates their new SJ-P1 VFD's for single phase supply up to 105a on the three phase side.

I'm using one on a 30a spindle motor and it works quite well. In the case of the vacuum motor, I too would use an RPC. I'm currently installing an American Rotary 20hp RPC to power my 15hp lathe. I'm blown away how well it works.

Good to know!

[petkocabmill]

Hitachi rates their new SJ-P1 VFD's for single phase supply up to 105a on the three phase side.

I'm using one on a 30a spindle motor and it works quite well. In the case of the vacuum motor, I too would use an RPC. I'm currently installing an American Rotary 20hp RPC to power my 15hp lathe. I'm blown away how well it works.

Yes, I'm aware of the RPC. It's definitely an option. It just takes more space and the VFD wiring appears to be simpler. VFD (the Chinese one) is definitely cheaper at around $300

[slodat]

Those cheap Chinese VFD's are a bit of a crapshoot in my experience. Personally, I want to rely on my equipment and go with better quality. I do have a HY "10hp" I keep around for testing motors and such.

[tblough]

If you are going to go with a cheap Chinese VFD, I recommend getting one rated for 20Hp if you are planning on running it on single phase. Unless the manufacture rates them for 1Ø use, or provides guidance for running their 3Ø units on single phase, the capacitors inside probably cannot handle the increased amperage required to generate the third leg - hence the recommendation to double the Hp rating and hope the larger caps in the upsized unit can handle the current.