3 phase converter.... Deal or No?

[John T]

I see one of these for sale locally.... for $150 bucks.....

I know nothing about converters and have no need for one.....

But, I'm not against making a few bucks flipping it....

any thoughts?
heres a link to the unit new...

North American SB-5 Smart-Boost Rotary Phase Converter

Smart-Boost™ solid-state digital control rotary phase converters offer an extra 600% heavy-duty motor load current boost, helpful for hard starting air compressors, sub pumps, flywheels, and gearhead lathes.

rspsupply.com

 

[John T]

from the ad....

 

[cliffboyer]

Certainly a steal at that price. Could be flipped for a decent return, but would it worth the time dealing with potential buyers & scammers?

 

[John T]

Wondering more if this is a desirable unit.... and is it a good option for someone looking for 3 ph power ......

Running with scissors had a thread and lots of options were talked about...

any opinions on this unit?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

No question that I would buy it for 150 bucks.

Kind of a “niche” market though……….Out of all the people I know personally, I’m the only knucklehead that would be interested………. (Hell, none of my friends even know what 3 phase is, but they can recite the batting average of the Dallas Cowboys from memory……. )

I think I am going with a VFD, but for that kind of money, I might be swayed…...

I do not know anything about that company though.

 

[mikester]

If you need to run something within its range grab it! Seems like a good deal especially if you can pick it up in person.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Wondering more if this is a desirable unit.... and is it a good option for someone looking for 3 ph power ......

Running with scissors had a thread and lots of options were talked about...

any opinions on this unit?

Thats a great deal if all you need is 5HP.

Reading the technical description its designed for powering hard starting loads like an air compressor. It has logic that repeatedly cycles start caps into the circuit at the zero point on the phase transitions. Thats a new idea to me and I have no idea if it works as claimed. Seems like cap life would be shortened considerably.

Dan

 

[John T]

Thats a great deal if all you need is 5HP.

Reading the technical description its designed for powering hard starting loads like an air compressor. It has logic that repeatedly cycles start caps into the circuit at the zero point on the phase transitions. Thats a new idea to me and I have no idea if it works as claimed. Seems like cap life would be shortened considerably.

Dan

Did you happen to read what the Minimum starting HP was?

My buddy has a one similar (different brand) and it's 3hp min / 5hp max
It will not start his lathe unless he turns on his Bridgeport....

 

[TheOldHokie]

Did you happen to read what the Minimum starting HP was?

My buddy has a one similar (different brand) and it's 3hp min / 5hp max
It will not start his lathe unless he turns on his Bridgeport....

I just skimmed the blurb. I dont understand why there is a minimum. Can you explain the starting process.?

Dan

 

[John T]

I just skimmed the blurb. I dont understand why there is a minimum. Can you explain the starting process.?

Dan

I'm not sure about any of this... I am pretty much ignorant to anything 3PH

But I happened to be talking to a friend of mine ... to quiz him on value of this one...

and he asked about min HP
Then told me about HIS converter and how it won't start unless he has over 3HP draw.

 

[John T]

No question that I would buy it for 150 bucks.


I think I am going with a VFD, but for that kind of money, I might be swayed…...

I do not know anything about that company though.

Too bad you are 1000 miles away.... I'd hook you up.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I'm not sure about any of this... I am pretty much ignorant to anything 3PH

But I happened to be talking to a friend of mine ... to quiz him on value of this one...

and he asked about min HP
Then told me about HIS converter and how it won't start unless he has over 3HP draw.

A normal RPC is started before any load motor. Once the RPC is up and running you start one or more load motors. The RPC simply supplies 3P power and knows nothing about the load motors.

Dan

 

[GeoHorn]

For “investments” ….most things…of which I’m not familiar…. I stay away from.
I see too many examples of folks who actually DO know about the item…. who lose their shirts anyway.
In most cases, It takes a person thoroughly knowledgable about the product AND it’s marketplace to successfully “deal” in them.

I’d suggest you simply observe what happens with this seeming bargain …and, for educational fun, see what transpires.

 

[John T]

A normal RPC is started before any load motor. Once the RPC is up and running you start one or more load motors. The RPC simply supplies 3P power and knows nothing about the load motors.

Dan

What would explain why he can't start a 1HP lathe before turning on a 3HP Bridgeport mill?
seems odd.

thats why he was assuming there was a 'minimum' HP ...... just like the Maximum HP (5 HP)

 

[John T]

For “investments” ….most things…of which I’m not familiar…. I stay away from.
I see too many examples of folks who actually DO know about the item…. who lose their shirts anyway.
In most cases, It takes a person thoroughly knowledgable about the product AND it’s marketplace to successfully “deal” in them.

I’d suggest you simply observe what happens with this seeming bargain …and, for educational fun, see what transpires.

Too Late.

I got a hair trigger....

 

[TheOldHokie]

Too Late.

I got a hair trigger....

Your investment is sound.

I dont know why there is a "minimum load requred" on your friends RPC. A normal RPC is started with ZERO load - e.g no loads connected. Loads are then started or stopped with the RPC running.. The nameplate on this one clearly says no minimum.

Dan

 

[John T]

Your investment is sound.

I dont know why there is a minimum load requred on your friends RPC. A normal RPC is started with ZERO load - e.g no loads connected. Loads are then started or stopped with the RPC running.. The nameplate on this one clearly says no minimum.

Dan

Actually I just asked him again and he said HIS faceplate says HP range 1hp-3hp

and his lathe is 1/2hp

He also said his converter does not run on a motor ... it "fakes the 3rd leg"

it's called a 'Phase-A-Matic' brand.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Actually I just asked him again and he said HIS faceplate says HP range 1hp-3hp

and his lathe is 1/2hp

He also said his converter does not run on a motor ... it "fakes the 3rd leg"

it's called a 'Phase-A-Matic' brand.

He does not have a rotary phase converter. He has some sort of static converter. I would guess his problem is the motor on the lathe - it wont start on a static converter. Why I dont know.

When he turns on the mill the mill motor acts like an idler and effectively turns the static converter into a rotary converter.

Phase-A- Matic is one of if not the biggest names in the business.

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

Actually I just asked him again and he said HIS faceplate says HP range 1hp-3hp

and his lathe is 1/2hp

He also said his converter does not run on a motor ... it "fakes the 3rd leg"

it's called a 'Phase-A-Matic' brand.

View attachment 167737

Tell him you will sell him a REAL converter at a bargain price

 

[John T]

He does not have a rotary phase converter. He has some sort of static converter. I would guess his problem is the motor on the lathe - it wont start on a static converter. Why I dont know.

When he turns on the mill the mill motor acts like an idler and effectively turns the static converter into a rotary converter.

Phase-A- Matic is one of if not the biggest names in the business.

Dan

Thanks,
that makes sense.