3 phase to single phase?

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My work is going to be selling some old welders, But they are 3 phase machines. Can I switch them to normal 220 insted of 480 or what ever? I know they are miller I do not know exact model....
Reply:Miller does sell some that will run on either single or three phase.But if it's a straight three phase machine,it can't be converted to single phase.Used three phase welders seem to sell for less money as there is less demand for them.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:When you find out what they are, let me know. I may be able to take one off your hands @jpump5 - kudos on the South Bend lathe...from a 38 Sheldon owner MM140 AutoMM252"Sometimes you just have to shoot the engineers and get on with the job"
Reply:That all depends on how the welder was designed and built.  A schematic drawing would help determine the feasility of such a project..I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:You are more likely to be able to change voltage than to change a three phase machine to single phase.    There are welders that work on both single phase and three phase, but these are generally the more modern inverter machines, not the older transformer machines.The sticker/tag on the back of the machine should indicate voltage and phase required.You can download a manual from the manufacturer's website, that should answer most of your questions.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I have an older Esab 450 that was tapped to 440 3 phase, I retapped to 220 single phase.Not all welders are capable. Call Miller with the serial numbers.Tim Beeker.
Reply:you could look into a rotary phase converter.  not cheap.
Reply:Some machines may have "taps" that enable you to change the voltage, however, 3PH is a totally different animal.  I don't know that much about welders per se, but I do know quite a bit about electrical wiring and principals from my days as a refrigeration tech.  A 3PH motor can be rewound to make it a single phase but it isn't done very often and I doubt that it would be feasable to convert a 3PH welder to single phase.  Calling the company would be your best bet.Lincoln Pro Mig 180Everlast PowerARC 200
Reply:Phase convertors don't work with welders.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:there are plenty of companies selling rpg's for welders.  so you are right and they are all wrong?
Reply:You need to remember with a rpc that your converted 3 phase will have the same voltage you are inputing, so more than likely you will have 230v 3 phase, which may not be the 3 phase voltage that the welder was used on. so yes, it may not wok. I have also heard bad news of people who tried to run a 3 phase welder on a rpc.
Reply:From an economic standpoint, you would be much better off with a single phase welder than a three phase welder and a rotary phase converter (RPG).    Even if somebody gave you the three phase welder, sell it and and buy a single phase.  Large RPGs are not cheap.  A single phase welder is inherently a more reliable system than a three phase with a RPG, takes up less space, uses less electricity, makes less noise, etc.RPGs may make sense in the smaller sizes for smaller motors, but the variable frequency drive does the same thing for less space and less money.  If you had several three phase machines, then an RPG might make sense.  I can't see than an RPG makes any sense for welders when you can buy a used single phase machine at a reasonable price.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Go to WWW.Practicalmachinist.com and do a search for 3phase welders. There is a guy that has converted several old 3 phase transformer welders.  They also can provide info to build your own RPC if you decide to go that way. I believe the fellow goes by Dave Kamp.
Reply:Originally Posted by fdcmiamithere are plenty of companies selling rpg's for welders.  so you are right and they are all wrong?
Reply:I've seen a few machines that'd probably run better on rocket propelled grenades MM140 AutoMM252"Sometimes you just have to shoot the engineers and get on with the job"
Reply:Originally Posted by tnjindI have an older Esab 450 that was tapped to 440 3 phase, I retapped to 220 single phase.Not all welders are capable. Call Miller with the serial numbers.
Reply:Miller CP 200 and 300 can be rewired to operate on 220v single phase. Yes, the Practicalmachinist.com site has info on this. I also have a buddy that did this very thing. Machine works excellent.The CP machines are the ONLY machines that can be converted as far as I know.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99My work is going to be selling some old welders, But they are 3 phase machines. Can I switch them to normal 220 insted of 480 or what ever? I know they are miller I do not know exact model....
Reply:Well thanks for the input everyone, But it sounds like to much of a headache to deal with so I decided to go another route and bought a hh187. Still have access to big machines at work for big jobs.