A popular call I get is from customers that are using lathes. Many are hobbyists and are not that familiar with variable freuquency drive technology. I can help!

 

Just give me the information on your motor and what you are trying to accomplish and I can help you find the best single phase VFD or high performance AC drive for your application. Marshall Wolf Automation is your authorized industrial automation distributor for all of the top brands.

 

Question:

Hoping you can help me. I'm building a lathe for turning bowls.

The motor I am wanting to use is single phase, 120 volt in the 1 to 3HP range. Looking for a VFD to control speed. I was wondering if this model from your catalog would work for my needs.  Compact Micro AC Drive 1/4 to 3hp, Single or 3 phase ,TECO EV/JNEV Series. I have never dealt with anything like this so I apologize if I didn't leave enough information.

Answer:

You have given me just about everything I would need. I will need to get more information on your current motor to point out the best way to control the existing motor.

I need to verify whether you have a capacitor start motor or not.  A capacitor start motor is not built to handle variable voltage control. Variable voltage control is the only way to control the speed on a single phase motor. Once I know the motor type I can help you take the next step. 
So you know a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) is used to control three phase motors only. We can take 115 volt ( up to 1.5 hp) and 230 or 460 volt single phase input into a three phase drive and run a three phase motor. The drive will be derated by 50%.

 

Response:

Scott,