VFD's - Need Information

Please tell me about your VFD set up on your belt grinder. I have ordered a GIB and have access to several different motors.

1. Brand you have.
2. Input voltage & phase.
3. Output voltage and phase.
4. HP of motor.
5. Nema 4 or in another enclosure?
6. Best feature?

Thanks,


Jamie Herring
 
Jamie,

I used the KB Electronics KBAC-27D on my GIB. It is the VFD that Beaumont Metal Works sell with the KMG, which a friend of mine has, so I knew it worked. I know nothing about these things, but the VFD was very easy to set up and works perfect. One phase in and three phase out to the motor. It has a NEMA 4 enclosure and can use either 110v or 220v single phase (ie household current.) If you use 110v you'll be limited to a 1 1/2 hp motor. I use a 1 1/2 hp baldor 3 phase 3450 rpm motor. I bought that because I thought I would be using the 110v current. But when I went to wire it I discovered that the gauge was too meager for the motor, so I had 220v put in. So I could have used a 2hp motor, but frankly the 1 1/2 has been fine. Make sure when you buy a motor you get a 3450 rpm three pahse motor. The GIB is a direct drive unit and 1750 rpm is too slow, or so I was told by the designer. If you get this VFD, Beamont Metal works has a tutorial on how to wire it and set it up that is very helpful. I've attached a few pictures of how I set it up on my GIB.IMG00013-20110312-1019.jpgIMG00012-20110312-1018.jpgIMG00010-20110312-1017.jpg
 
I also have the same setup as Sticks. GIB with KBAC27D, 1,725 RPM 1.5Hp 3Ph motor..... I'm very happy with mine.

A clarification... You do NOT need a 3,450 RPM motor with the KBAC27D. Simply set the VFD to 2x speed for a 1,725 RPM motor to run at 3,450 and you are set.

I bought mine from Wayne Coe. I also got the reversing switch to run a 1.5Hp motor for my 9"disc set adjacent to my 2"x72" so it will run off of the same VFD. Getting it from Wayne was nice, it came with wiring instructions, and I also bought the wire, cable glands, reversing switch and a forged metal mounting bracket. Practically plug-n-play.

I know a couple guys who run Teco TM-50's but the set them up in boxes, or adjacent rooms and ran a on/off switch and speed pot to the grinder.... Much easier to go with a KBAC27D if you can afford it.
 
Fluidsteel,

I didn't know that about setting the VFD to 2x speed. Thank's for the clarification. When I talked to the EERF designer (which the GIB is based upon) he probably assumed that I would not be using a VFD. At any rate that's good to know and demonstrates how flexible the KBAC27D is. Another good point is getting the VFD form a source, such as Wayne- who's prices are very reasonable- who can also provide the wire, glands, etc. that you'll need and knows what you need. I hunted all over for the glands,plug and suitable wire to plug into the 220v circuit and that added to the build time.
 
Thanks for the good words Guys. If anyone has other questions, call me or send me an e-mail and I will try to help you.
 
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