Help on changing 3 phase to 1 phase

Hi All,

Sorry to repeat this question again. I am still having some issues with changing my platten heidelberg 10x15 from 3 phase to 1 phase (our house power supply).

My current 3 phase motor is quite old and unfortunately not suited to variable speed drive as the motor is of single configuration.

My current three phase motor is:
2 HP
415 V
3.25 Amp
1425 RPM

Can anyone recommend a single phase motor (company, model number). My shaft is 40mm thick, how can you get a new motor to match this? I’d be grateful if any tips people can give me.

Are there any other three phase to single phase convertors I could try?

Many thanks to anyone who can help me
Dave

Log in to reply   13 replies so far

I cant help with sparks and crackles but as for the shaft incompatability ……
If your single phase motor has too narrow a shaft and you have a friendly machine shp around you just have a collar made . This is simple as long as the motor shaft has not got a fixed key , cutting a slot in a collar will be expensive .
You are putting an electronic speed control on so you need to get a pulley for a flat belt and suitable lenght of belting , these you can get for your new motor and try to keep the motor pulley in the 3” diameter area , the flywheel on a heidelberg is heavy , my own machine has a very sluggish start but thats a different issue (the motor is as old as the press) I have to always start with my speed control set to slow .
There is not much else i can add to that , i am not a sparky, I will look see if there are any plates on my machine and add the info off that but I have a thought that its not marked at all . I can help (uk) if you want another 3 phase motor as i can find one in the heap and i know of two more in a works gathering dust so squeak up if that is an option but i am not crating over water sorry .
Peter .

Dave

It’s fairly easy to switch down to the single-phase. You do need a motor that will fit and you do need a new switch, but you can use the existent wiring. Third wire is your neutral or ground. Problem is, metaphorically, a three-phase is like an auto transmission, single phase is like starting out in third gear. It could be problematic.

Gerald
http://BielerPress.blogspot.com

Dave, Good morning Sir, G Day mate or Hi Ya Mac covers most understand your situationbut try to persevere with 3 phase generally thought to be more efficient than single because you get 3 power pulses (cycles) at 50 or 60usa x 3 in the same time cycle giving optimim performance quicker and cheaper plus reversing is a doddle perm any 2 from 3 whereas single phase is tricky to alter if the legend plate is absent. Some users try to run through inadequate capacity cable and from 13 amp plug - you can only get out what you put in. 3 phase is normally hard wired and tends to transmit more robust access to available supply especially at football half time when everybody hits the grid with their kettles on single phase’ 1 to 3 phase converters are initially expensive but are generally acknowleged as worthwile step in terms of long term consumption. Here in theU K we are fairly well blessed with recycling depots (scrap yards} who normally have piles of motors and when I need I hunt for correct capacity motors but especially those with modern style adaptor pulleys attached These are 2 part with a shaft size bore slave unit that incorporates the keyway and then secondary top section withdraw in cone anchored by pre threaded grub screws with virtually any belt format atop or can easily be modified on a simple lathe. If however these options are not feasable Masterclass coming up with even simple lathe turn and bore required size adaptor grip same in toolpost at exactly centre height (no problem to printer who can lock up to dot for dot register) beg borrow steal or even buy end miil at exactly keyway size and slot away 3 to 4 minutes maybe offer to donate the mill to your friendly engineer they appreciate that then grind up tool keyway slot size grip same in 3 jaw chuck lock up the chuck to stand still (doesent need to turn ) with preground tool in toolpost use topslide by hand left to right as internal planer takes alittle time with tiny cuts removed maybe 2 3 beers more for your tame live steam engineer. I have the advantage of milling machine with slotting head but as it needs J.C. B. Drott or Case to lift it on I usually employ the above method works fine. And yes since 1954 have acquired quite abit of knowledge about Monotype hot metal a lotr is still lurking uptop. Check me out at the Counter Press . com perhaps re Pilcrows Apologies for the burger belly the big greasy hand and the state of the caster Work in progress my excuse and I stand by it Regards Mick san ay sizee44………….

Dave, Good morning Sir, G Day mate or Hi Ya Mac covers most understand your situationbut try to persevere with 3 phase generally thought to be more efficient than single because you get 3 power pulses (cycles) at 50 or 60usa x 3 in the same time cycle giving optimim performance quicker and cheaper plus reversing is a doddle perm any 2 from 3 whereas single phase is tricky to alter if the legend plate is absent. Some users try to run through inadequate capacity cable and from 13 amp plug - you can only get out what you put in. 3 phase is normally hard wired and tends to transmit more robust access to available supply especially at football half time when everybody hits the grid with their kettles on single phase’ 1 to 3 phase converters are initially expensive but are generally acknowleged as worthwile step in terms of long term consumption. Here in theU K we are fairly well blessed with recycling depots (scrap yards} who normally have piles of motors and when I need I hunt for correct capacity motors but especially those with modern style adaptor pulleys attached These are 2 part with a shaft size bore slave unit that incorporates the keyway and then secondary top section withdraw in cone anchored by pre threaded grub screws with virtually any belt format atop or can easily be modified on a simple lathe. If however these options are not feasable Masterclass coming up with even simple lathe turn and bore required size adaptor grip same in toolpost at exactly centre height (no problem to printer who can lock up to dot for dot register) beg borrow steal or even buy end miil at exactly keyway size and slot away 3 to 4 minutes maybe offer to donate the mill to your friendly engineer they appreciate that then grind up tool keyway slot size grip same in 3 jaw chuck lock up the chuck to stand still (doesent need to turn ) with preground tool in toolpost use topslide by hand left to right as internal planer takes alittle time with tiny cuts removed maybe 2 3 beers more for your tame live steam engineer. I have the advantage of milling machine with slotting head but as it needs J.C. B. Drott or Case to lift it on I usually employ the above method works fine. And yes since 1954 have acquired quite abit of knowledge about Monotype hot metal a lotr is still lurking uptop. Check me out at the Counter Press . com perhaps re Pilcrows Apologies for the burger belly the big greasy hand and the state of the caster Work in progress my excuse and I stand by it Regards Mick san ay sizee44………….

To all:

Is it safe to manually swing the flywheel of a windmill press when starting?

Alan.

i don’t think its a good idea, i’ve never seen a windmill that you had to swing the flywheel to start.

can i suggest buying a single phase motor, just make sure of the internal diameter size on your pulley when ordering the motor.

To anyone interested:

Sorry to be a pain, but my engineer adviser says that the resultant of 3 phase (under ideal conditions, other conditions are not much different) power “impulses” is perfectly smooth thrust. For mathematicians, I think you square the instantaneous current and add the three values, which gives a straight line. Unfortunately, in Aus, we have lost a small part of the peaks of the sine waves due to recent changes in the way electricity is used, but the 3 phase is still a lot better than single phase; with the use of flywheels, the difference is not great, the 3ph motor should, under same-maintenance conditions, last longer.

Alan.

Alan, G day cobber thanks for your apparent welcome verification of my humble efforts New (but in fact ancient) kid on the block got along way to go yet steep learning curve etc.Hope to be in contact in the near future because as I try to get my head around this medium I am also deep into the manufacture of some press parts for one of your countrymen N.S.W. which prototype came out of my head and was eagerly accepted but now wants refined article S.A.P. but at this stage of the game overdrive was abandoned a long time now its in the workshop after midnight (in peace) Been asked by my mate the intermediary to keep it under wraps until items are safely in Van Deemans Land or where ever You may well be in touch with the gentelman already because although Ozz is big this medium has shrunk the map Thanks and regards Mick> ton

Alan, G day cobber thanks for your apparent welcome verification of my humble efforts New (but in fact ancient) kid on the block got along way to go yet steep learning curve etc.Hope to be in contact in the near future because as I try to get my head around this medium I am also deep into the manufacture of some press parts for one of your countrymen N.S.W. which prototype came out of my head and was eagerly accepted but now wants refined article S.A.P. but at this stage of the game overdrive was abandoned a long time now its in the workshop after midnight (in peace) Been asked by my mate the intermediary to keep it under wraps until items are safely in Van Deemans Land or where ever You may well be in touch with the gentelman already because although Ozz is big this medium has shrunk the map Thanks and regards Mick> ton

To anyone:

My comment about helping the press to start by swinging the flywheel was in response to Peter Luckhurst’s comment that his machine was very sluggish to start. I presumed that anyone trying it would not be the person pulling/pushing the flywheel, that would be a printer’s devil type of person; the machinist-in-charge would be attending to the normal processes of the press. But Austrailans are much more safety conscious since Westgate bridge being constructed fell and killed 35 workmen. Learners, most workmen, now wear safety glasses in some kinds of work. High school students at chemistry demonstrations are required to wear safety glasses. I was given glasses when I visited industrial workshop to see how they did their work; did not fit well over my spectacles. Wearing seatbelts in cars, taxis compulsory.

Alan.

Hiya Mate !! I am a very long standing friend of “Mono Mick” and have only become intrigued by your dilema because “Mick” had difficulty with his pc. !! Now, don’t worry about all that stuff !! go onto Ebay and find a single phase motor, fix it so the pulley sizes match to the revband, you will see the speeds etc. on the “plate” I would also get a 3 or 4 stage switch, this will start the motor slowly and progress up to speed eliminating the “helping” spin that someone suggests !! These “stage” switches are available “new” from India (Ebay India) Single phase motors cost more to run and, without a stage switch, will create an electrical “surge” noticed by a pronounced “hum” at the motor but, don’t be afraid of it if needs be !! it’s unlikely to “explode” Best of luck chap !! Regards Old Bob (Nottingham England)

I wouldn’t recommend switching to a single phase. I think you will be totally bummed out it when you realize your press has no power. The 3 phase converter I have on mine is made by Ronk and I run it off a 2 pole switch in my house.

I didn’t read any of the long winded posts previous so forgive me if I repeat.