Not had much to do with transverters. But a friend had one & used to start the machine which ran horribly for a few seconds. Then he turned a switch on the front of the transverter & away it went. Not sure why.

Steve.

Is it a static converter, just a box with transformer and capacitors inside, or rotary converter with a pilot motor as well?

Generally rotary converters either work properly or don't work at all well with all sorts of noises off from the pilot motor if there is a fault.

I assume the converter has sufficient power output to handle the motor and any switches are set as per the Transwave instructions.

If its a static converter there may be issues with one or more capacitors. They work hard for their living and eventually fail.

Could be a problem with the switch settings. Generally static converters need more capacitance in circuit to get going than they need to run a spinning motor. Many types have a boost or start switch setting to get the motor going which needs to be changed to a run setting once the motor is running. As Steviegtr comments leaving the converter set to boost – start position makes the motor run horribly, noisy and sometimes slow. Some static converters have automatic start – run setting change. Usually using a "potential relay" that senses the voltage of the third, generated, leg and switches out of start setting when the generated voltage is high enough. If this fails the motor may well run slow.

So far as I'm aware all Harrison M300 3 phase machines have motors that can be connected in both star and delta configuration. Hence the advice from Ian P to get a modern VFD from a reputable supplier,I use Inverter Drive Supermarket, and sell the Transwave to largely cover the cost is probably the best way to quickly get a reliable system.

Its what I'd do and I actually know how to diagnose and fix an iffy phase converter. But life is too short!

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 17/11/2021 00:24:17

As with all second hand machine tools age and condition will have a big effect on price, A well worn early one that has had a hard life in industry will be worth far less than a little used late model black fronted one out of an educational establishment. Also beware the "refurbished" ones that may have had little more than a clean and coat of fresh paint.

Transwave are very helpful, give them a ring with the details of the converter you have and they may be able to suggest the cause of the problem and supply spares if it is a capacitor that has failed.

I run my 3HP 14"x40" lathe from a Transwave static box. The motor does not have star/delta windings and I do not know how to find the star point to enable use of a VFD. The only downside I find with the Transwave box is lack of soft start and starting the lathe is a bit fierce at times, if ever it sounds unhappy turning off and restarting usually works.

If the motor ever fails I would look at a motor and VFD package and sell the static inverter (converter ?) but until then I am happy to use the Transwave.

I am with Tony, load of rubbish and would not touch it. Very early model by its colour.

( I do have a M300 as my larger lathe to complement my Myford PCF S7)

Mine is a gear head machine. No problem running all speed ranges up to the maximum. The static inverter would not run my Bridgeport mill for long without tripping out, a VFD is now installed on the mill.