Phase converter question

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I have an air compressor that currently has a 3 phase motor on it. I only have single phase in my current shop. Last time I was at my friends place, I noticed that he was using an Allen Bradley Powerflex frequency drive as a phase converter to run his Bridgeport and vertical band saw. He was running it with 220 single. Is there anyone that can give me some info on this? Would I need a 3 phase freq drive? Thanks
Reply:Hello independentcustoms, it might just be easier and more cost effective to replace the 3 phase motor on your compressor with a single phase one. However, not knowing the horsepower of your current set-up or if there are any special considerations for this sort of swap it's hard to tell for sure. Anything special about the motor/horsepower/mounting/pulleys? Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Well, the main reason why I ask is because I have access to some different freq drives, at no cost to me. The only thing is, they are 3 phase drives. So I wasn't sure if it would work or not. There's nothing overly special about the motor or mount, or the pulleys. My plan was always to just change the motor, but after seeing his setup, it got me thinking. Thanks
Reply:Hello again independentcustoms, understand your questions now. When I have considered powering up 3 phase items in my home shop, the reasoning has been for issues where the particular application couldn't readily be switched to a single phase motor. A Bridgeport milling machine might be a good example, most of these machines have a rather special motor that can't readily be replaced with a single phase one.      If I had a choice to try to use a 3 phase welder that might be one that I would pass on since the welders generally require quite a lot of input amps to run and the rotary phase converters that would be big enough to power one would be rather prohibitive in their energy requirements. Don't believe the static ones would work properly either. So that's my $.02 additional cents. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Thanks for the info Allan. I guess I should just stick to my original plan and swap the motor to a single phase, 220v. I'm kind of upset now because I just got a plasma cutter (Hypertherm Max 43), and my shop only has one 50amp 220 outlet, and they will not add another. So at this point, it's pointless.
Reply:Don't give up so fast, go to your internet and punch in "building a rotary 3 phase converter" you will find a ton of info on this and parts can be scavenged from a number of sources. The nice thing is once you have this tool alot of surplus equipment that most can't use, 3 Phase, can be had pretty cheap at auction or craigslists. Check it out , pretty straight forward instructions from those who have built them."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Actually the motor in the rotary phase converter is running without a load, so just idling they take very little power.
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello again independentcustoms, understand your questions now. When I have considered powering up 3 phase items in my home shop, the reasoning has been for issues where the particular application couldn't readily be switched to a single phase motor. A Bridgeport milling machine might be a good example, most of these machines have a rather special motor that can't readily be replaced with a single phase one.      If I had a choice to try to use a 3 phase welder that might be one that I would pass on since the welders generally require quite a lot of input amps to run and the rotary phase converters that would be big enough to power one would be rather prohibitive in their energy requirements. Don't believe the static ones would work properly either. So that's my $.02 additional cents. Best regards, Allan