Dabbler
ersatz engineer
I hope it is the latter. You should not have any switches wired between the VFD and the motor. Voids Teco's warranty, etc.
Tips/Techniques Motor Conversion question
- Thread starter Tomc938
- Start date
Tips/Techniques
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Yeah, the thought of using those tiny run/stop buttons on the VFD was a definite no-go. Even the start/stop on my surface grinder is unnatural to me. A toggle switch or push/pull switch seems more intuitive.
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I never had any intention of doing anything else. My BIG lathe FWD/REV/NEUTRAL handle will be wired to the VFD.
What threw me off was you describing it as a "DRUM" switch.
I suppose it depends on your original wiring. I my case, I got lucky. My FWD/REV lever is already wired to a simple SPDT switch with neutral that can be wired directly to my VFD. I had been worried about that when I first started looking at the wiring cuz there is no way I wanted to lose that lever. I plan to disconnect it from the two contactors and wire it directly into my VFD.
On the other hand, my mill is wired to a small delicate little switch..... THAT I HATE! I'll change it the same day I run across a better switch for it.
Question - why did you leave the existing drum switch there? I would have been inclined to remove it to avoid any chance of someone using it!
Which switch, the lathe or the mill?
On the flip side, a surface grinder doesn't need a reverse so just about any kind of switch will work. I have a big green recessed button to turn mine on and an even bigger red one to turn it off.
I think I see the answer. The wire going to it is the clue. It's a small wire so it isn't carrying motor current. You basically rewired a drum switch to act like a SPDT with neutral.
So there is no risk.
Nice job!
If I didn't swap my motor to a new one, I could have used my old drum switch that way too.
So there is no risk.
Nice job!
If I didn't swap my motor to a new one, I could have used my old drum switch that way too.
Yes, my mill, but it's 73" off the ground and 18" behind the front. So no one will inadvertently switch it on, unless a susquatch is playing tricks on me
On my lathe, I always put the gears into neutral when I'm not actually using it, so even if it's switched on, no harm done.
Yup.
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