electrical question

ben brown · Jan 10, 2016

i bought a metal lathe that is 3 phase going to switch the motor out to 230 single phase i would like to be able to reverse the direction of the motor i had a machine that cut tires it has a 230 single phase motor with a switch that would change direction of rotation my question do i need a special motor that is reversible or well a regular motor work with the reversing switch thanks ben

JD Seller · Jan 10, 2016

Most 220 volt single Phase motors can be wired to run either way. You usually just have to switch two wires around. So you can make them reverse by wiring a switch to change the wiring pairs. I have some feed conveyors, that need to run both directions, and they are just wire like that.

David G · Jan 10, 2016

You should be able to buy a reversing switch for the lathe.

David G · Jan 10, 2016

http://www.zoro.com/dayton-switch-drum-reversing-plastic-handle-2x441/i/G3423901/?gclid=CPqdv7Hgn8oCFQ8zaQodZxwJWg&gclsrc=aw.ds

jeffcat · Jan 10, 2016

Whelll.... You need a motor that can be reversed. Look on the information plate and it will say reverse 5 and 7 or some such thing. Some motors can bet dual voltage and reversible. I have seen older motors that use different numbers. Most of the motors I have for dual voltage use and or reversible need a nine pole double throw switch. I can down load a diagram if I can find it. At work we have those huge rotary ovens but they are all 120 volt. The switching is a bit more simple to reverse the rotation of the shelves. You might need a different setup so let others chime in. Take a clear picture of your data plate so we can figure it out. The old timer way of doing it is keep hooking wires up till you stop blowing fuses and it works! ha ha

moresmoke · Jan 10, 2016

Before you change out the motor, look into
using a VFD. Variable frequency drive.
You can turn 220 single phase into 3 phase
and have reversing and variable speed.

Bob · Jan 10, 2016

If the motor is good why not just get a phase converter and avoid rewiring the lathe?

Furthermore, if it is reversible now, with a typical "drum switch" the switch will work on single phase.

Any typical single phase motor that can be reversed by switching wiring internally on a terminal board can be connected to a reversing switch by bringing the individual start and run winding leads out to the reversing switch individually.
Reverse it

Shoprat · Jan 10, 2016

The static type phase converter should work and are lot less money then the rotary style. You will need the right switch.

Dave Sherburne, NY · Jan 10, 2016

I bought a SB metal lathe last fall. The previous owner who happened to be an electrician had replaced the original motor with a washing machine motor and a DPDT switch. I wondered about having enough power with that motor, but the lathe works fine

John T · Jan 10, 2016

Typically its easy to reverse a single phase motor and they make switches that serve that very purpose. In the alternative you can buy a rotary or other three phase converter to use the motor you already have which may prove simpler plus a three phase motor is efficient. Id investigate the cost of both methods (swap to single phase motor plus reversing switch orrrrrrr keep existing three phase motor and buy a converter) and then make your choice. A single phase motor doesnt know which way to spin so they use a start winding to get them turning in one direction or the other and reversing that start winding is simple.

John T

Steve@Advance · Jan 10, 2016

I would go with the 3 phase converter. Problem with reversing a single phase motor is having to bring it to a
stop first, then reverse it. Get in a hurry, think it is going to reverse, and it doesn't... Snap goes the
tap!

Paul from MI · Jan 10, 2016

Yes, you can reverse a single phase motor, BUT. It must come to a complete stop before reversing, if not it keeps on running in the original direction, with bad results to your tooling. I have run my lathe that way for 40 years, but you really have to be on your toes. A better solution might be a three phase converter running your original motor.

ben brown · Jan 10, 2016

thank for all the info guy said come out look see what be best i looking at it seem lot wiring in the control panel so think lot that could be eliminated with a single phase motor but not sure hope to get going this week

Andy Martin · Jan 10, 2016

How much HP? I run my 3 HP mill on a 5 HP home made phase converter. It is incredibly easy, mount a 3 phase motor the same or larger than the lathe motor on the floor next tot he lathe. Run your single phase to two of the three leads on the converter motor, then run three leads from those three leads to the three phase power connection on the lathe. When you get ready to use the lathe, you engage power to the converter and, in my case, kick start the converter motor. It will sit and run and you can start and reverse the lathe so long as the converter is running. I can usually get a small three phase motor for free, it will have a cracked bell housing or broken foot, but still idle like a champ. John T could tell you how to wire up a push button capacitor to kick the converter motor over but I foot kick mine and don't need the extra wire.

Blackhole49 · Jan 11, 2016

When I got my 3 phase overhead mill, I paid a guy $100.00 to make me a 3 phase converter. He even came over to make sure I didn't skrew up the installation (entirely possible). That is what I would do. My converter box is mounted on the back of the machine and the extra motor on the side (not pictured).

electrical question

ben brown

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JD Seller

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David G

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David G

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jeffcat

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moresmoke

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Bob

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Shoprat

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Dave Sherburne, NY

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John T

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Steve@Advance

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Paul from MI

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ben brown

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