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New to me RF 45 ..... In the shop

Is there a book ? VFD's for dummies ?

I have questions .............

In my shop , there is one 208 v wall outlet , fed from a double pole 20 amp breaker in the panel , What ever machine I happen to be running gets plugged in , I only run one thing at a time .
I have a 12 x 36 lathe , another mill & two welding machines that share the same wall outlet .

This brings up the first question ...........
A VFD requires programing ? , I'm making assumptions here but the VFD will need some parameters set ? , or not ?? .

This machine is going to be plugged in only when I'm using it ............
Will the saved settings that get programed into the VFD be lost when it is unplugged ? .

Next question ..........
I would like to retain the use of the switches on the front panel of the mill , is that possible ? . I should mention , in a box on the back of the machine , there's a transformer that steps 208 down to 24 volts for the control circuit , it almost looks like this is an ad on that was done after the machine was built . I do not have a wiring diagram for this machine and I'm not sure it is original , unmolested or butchered .
 
Gearhead88 said:
Is there a book ? VFD's for dummies ?

I have questions .............

In my shop , there is one 208 v wall outlet , fed from a double pole 20 amp breaker in the panel , What ever machine I happen to be running gets plugged in , I only run one thing at a time .
I have a 12 x 36 lathe , another mill & two welding machines that share the same wall outlet .

This brings up the first question ...........
A VFD requires programing ? , I'm making assumptions here but the VFD will need some parameters set ? , or not ?? .

This machine is going to be plugged in only when I'm using it ............
Will the saved settings that get programed into the VFD be lost when it is unplugged ? .

Next question ..........
I would like to retain the use of the switches on the front panel of the mill , is that possible ? . I should mention , in a box on the back of the machine , there's a transformer that steps 208 down to 24 volts for the control circuit , it almost looks like this is an ad on that was done after the machine was built . I do not have a wiring diagram for this machine and I'm not sure it is original , unmolested or butchered .
Click to expand...
An rpc would be plug and play. For a vfd youd have to wire the forward, reverse, start and estop into the vfd.
The vfd vs rpc holy war is as old as time :P
Yes there are parameters and settings. Yes they keep across power outages.

Theres alot of electronics buffs around here that would love to guide you through it. Its not that difficult and when your setup and done youre done... get a cheap vfd and sometimes your settings might get lost randomly.

I think the forums needs a vfd manufacturer sponsorship

This post has been brought to you by Westinghouse
 
Last edited:
Y
Gearhead88 said:
Is there a book ? VFD's for dummies ?

I have questions .............

In my shop , there is one 208 v wall outlet , fed from a double pole 20 amp breaker in the panel , What ever machine I happen to be running gets plugged in , I only run one thing at a time .
I have a 12 x 36 lathe , another mill & two welding machines that share the same wall outlet .

This brings up the first question ...........
A VFD requires programing ? , I'm making assumptions here but the VFD will need some parameters set ? , or not ?? .

This machine is going to be plugged in only when I'm using it ............
Will the saved settings that get programed into the VFD be lost when it is unplugged ? .

Next question ..........
I would like to retain the use of the switches on the front panel of the mill , is that possible ? . I should mention , in a box on the back of the machine , there's a transformer that steps 208 down to 24 volts for the control circuit , it almost looks like this is an ad on that was done after the machine was built . I do not have a wiring diagram for this machine and I'm not sure it is original , unmolested or butchered .
Click to expand...
Yes a VFD requires programming. There is a short list of things that you have to program. Motor voltage, Max current, spin up time etc. Then are things you can program if you want to if you feel the need to tweak something later. The VFD will retain the parameters regardless of whether it is hooked up to power or not. You should be able to use the electric switches on the front of your mill, I did so on my lathe.
 
quitereal said:
The vfd vs rpc holy war is as old as time
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth!

My church is the VFD.

I think the two discerning features are:

Rotary converter - you only need one for lots of machines.

VFD - you get continuously variable speeds.

After that the water gets muddy with a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns. Pick your poison.

As a VFD fan, I can list many advantages and disadvantages.

1. includes all the protection relays normally required for metal working machines.

2. provides variable speed adjustment control of a 3ph motor.

3. Most VFDs include sector less vector control (SLV) of power output to match power to changing motor needs. The result is incredibly smooth motor operation

4. Live direction reversing.

5. Programmable acceleration and deceleration.

6. Programmable frequency limits.

7. Low voltage control of all functions.

8. Full fault protection.

9. Voltage and current matching to the motor.

10. Various input and output controls for associated motor control systems.

Others have already spoken to the programming requirements. I don't disagree with anything that has been said.

I can't really speak to the advantages of a rotary phase converter beyond what has already been said. If someone wants to, they could write a similar list of advantages for an RPC.
 
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