Boxford VM30 Milling Machine Motor

[Mike Cooper 1Participant @mikecooper1]

Hello. I’m trying to spec the right inverter for my VM30 so I can run it from 230v. Can anyone help me by taking a picture of their motor data plate on their machine for me? I have searched all over my motor and inside the junction box and there is no data plate. I want to know if it’s capable of dual voltage and what the power and rated current is.

I found one image online of another machine showing a 1.1kW motor which was only rated for 415v and 3 amps. I.e not dual voltage.

My motor looks original I was just suprised it had no data plate.

Any advice appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Mike

[Mike Cooper 1Participant @mikecooper1]

Advice for inverter drive

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Post a picture of the inside of your junction box and we can tell if its dual voltage

if it has 6 wires its dual i only 3 its 415 only without diving in to find the star point

Ian

Edited By Ian Parkin on 01/01/2016 22:00:37

[Mike Cooper 1Participant @mikecooper1]

Hello Ian. I don’t know how to include a link in this text but I’ve put 5 photos in my first album. Hope you can see the motor one.
Thanks Mike

[Andy HoldawayParticipant @andyholdaway]

Mike, The star point is on the bottom three terminals, so you can rewire it in delta and run it from a 240v single to 3 phase inverter.

I have no idea what size it is, but I'm sure someone will be along soon with an answer!

Andy

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Have a search for Nick-G's post about fitting a inverter to his VM-30

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Have a look at the square recess in the middle of the motor end cap, the data plate lives there, they are normally painted over so somewhat difficult to see.

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Get a vfd that is big enough to suit this motor and a larger motor as well. A 2kw vfd will drive anything smaller as well and you may want a larger motor in the future or to drive a different machine with the vfd.

Martin

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

Mike

Photos…. when you are writing a post click on the camera icon above the text entry box and select a photo from your album

Hope i'm not teaching sucking eggs but to change to delta remove all screws ( 6) from the connections and move the links ( 3) to go up and down one link on each wire pair rather than across as in your photo replace all screws and input wires as you were and you now have a delta connected motor suitable for 240v use

As to size of inverter unless you have access to a 415 v supply to measure current or a friend with a say 2kw inverter who would let you connect your motor to to measure current…all inverters will display current whilst running.

I would say looking at your motor that its unlikely to be bigger than 1.5kw so buy a secondhand inverter as a start and connect and see what current it draws and set max curent to 20% higher.

If you are anywhere near sheffield I can do this for you and make a switch control box whilst you wait

Ian

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by JasonB on 02/01/2016 07:31:30:

Have a search for Nick-G's post about fitting a inverter to his VM-30

.

I don't think I made a specific post about the inverter fitting but it was mentioned a little bit in a video I made I recall.

I also had the issue of a non dual voltage motor. The star termination points were buried deep inside the windings and not easily reached.

I ended up purchasing a new dual voltage motor to fit to mine. I also fitted a larger VFD than required for the reasons mentioned above.

I still have the original motor. Later I will take a photo of it's plate, the replacement motor and inverter and post them here for you.

Nick

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I used a 1.1KW Yasgawa inverter on mine, you could getaway with 0.75KW as it is a 1HP motor. I have used other brand inverters on my other machines so I am not "Brand" loyal.

No problems and straight forward installation.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Here are the images I said I would post.

It seems though that the motorplate of the original is no longer readable. But here it is anyway:-

But here is an image of the motor I replaced it with. This was a simple task and the pulley went straight on without modification or hassle.

And this is the VFD I used obtained from Newton Tesla of Warrington.

I also in my previous post mentioned a video. It does not give much detail other than me having the same problem as yourself. I also had to motor to pieces thinking the required winding ends would be available. But alas no they were not. Still worth checking yours though as a motor from a different batch or source may be different.

But here is the video anyway. The bit about the motor starts at about 8:10 in.

 

Nick

 

Edit :- I 'think' the replacement motor was around £100 delivered. Also the video shows the original motor running in the supplied state. By doing this you will not cause any harm to the motor or the inverter. But the motor will have very little torque.

 

Also don't change the variable  speed drive unless the motor is running. I am informed that by doing so damage can be caused.

 

Nick

Edited By Nick_G on 02/01/2016 15:23:45

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