How To Build A Rotary Phase Converter

[@AM-dn4lk]

The best build description I have seen. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@goalie2998]

I've been a journeyman electrician for close to 20 years. This is a concept I learned in school, but have only dealt with 2x in my career. It's very unusual in my area for a facility to have 3 phase equipment, with no 3 phase available. I had to check your video to confirm a few things for a service call I got today. It was a head scratcher for sure. Great explanation though. Thanks

[@ronosga5072]

I would put a 3 phase magnetic contactor switch on it with the phantom leg energizing it. This way if you loose a leg you don't single phase a motor on your machine and burn it up. Learned that after replacing a Bridgeport motor, I built a self starting and balanced 10 HP converter with capacitors and it will start a 10 HP motor, but if you have trouble starting a big motor start and idle a smaller motor and then start the larger motor this makes the phantom leg stronger. Also the contactor was thermal overload blades to prevent damage if you overload it. Hope I didn't just complicate your great explanation.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Yep that's the main thing don't let it scare you. I have never heard a better explanation in my life and my Dad was a Journeyman electrician and he couldn't explain it so I could understand it.

[@rodolforodriguez70]

What a Great Video , thankyou very much , Greetings from Costa Rica Central America Blessings

[@RRaucina]

You remind me how glad I am to have brought 3 phase to my shop years ago when it was easy and cheap. What a gift! Trouble is all those tools will need 3 phase if I move and here I am reminding myself what a pain in the ass it is to generate it.

[@artemiasalina1860]

I built a fancier one once. It used some "start" capacitors to give the motor a 'kick' to get it spinning and they would drop out of the circuit once it was up to speed. Worked really well.

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

That's how most induction single phase motors work. They use start capacitors and a centrifugal clutch that takes it/them out of the power circuit while the motor is spinning. Now to watch this video again and see if I get it the second time. When he said he uses a "pony motor for reasons of my own" I started to draw a blank. We were here to learn how to make a rotary phase converter and suddenly it's as clear as mud.

[@artemiasalina1860]

@@TSPhotoAtlanta Yeah, a rotary phase converter uses a 3 phase motor like a single phase motor with it's 3rd phase winding (combined with the original single phase power) as a 3 phase generator. 2 of the 3 phases in the motor are powered by the house power, but you need to get the motor started somehow. There are two common ways to do that. One is the way I did it with start caps, and another way is to use a pony motor (like a starter motor on an internal combustion engine). Once the 3 phase motor is running at speed the start caps or the pony motor can be disengaged.

[@kmcwhq]

I saw a rotary converter one time, the guy had a Briggs & Stratton recoil on the end of the motor. He pulled it a few times to run it up to speed, and hit the switch and it took off. Funny dang thing to watch, but it worked swell.

[@TC-gn2by]

Fyi with this arranges of a "phase converter" -- it's not a true phase converter - you won't get full power on the third leg (T3) to the load motor , t3 has only enough power to start the load motor. you can confirm by measuring each of the phase individually preferably with a load or work in the machine. T3 will have a much lower ampacity . so, the 3-phase Machine Tools in your shop may not be performing as good as they could. A true face converter will have a motor that runs a 3-phase generator which is then connected to the Machine Tool motor . hope this helps, I enjoy all your videos!!! oh, you won't need a vfd for each tool you can run one large vfd for the shop 3 phase . depending on the size Vfd you can run more than one tool at once. And depending on how far apart your tools are you may not need an engineered matched cable between the vfd and the tools. I know they are expensive but the price is coming down all the time . I know a lot of guys complain about vfds in their machine shop but VFDs run the world.

[@billm4560]

You did a great job explaining this Jonathan! 👍🏻 Thank for sharing!

[@joemccabe4490]

Man, the "I wont overcomplicate with BS that you won't understand because I don't understand either" quote is sticking with me.

[@johnapel2856]

That is scary, because I understood it! You explained it very simply and it made perfect sense. I knew you could make 3 phase power with a motor, but didn't know how. Thank you! Maybe you could show it working with the pony motor? I think you've shown a pony motor before, but can't remember when. Thanks!

[@outcastprojects6733]

Cool video man,I ran several good pieces of three phase equipment over the scales when I was a little younger,simply because I didn't think i would ever be able to power them!

[@boutrosalkhouri4523]

Thanks a lot, that’s the best way to make it very simple, we appreciate your efforts to make this way,

[@robertnorman3181]

@Jonathan W Has a very good video on where your wires should be. I used capacitors instead of his phase box but you just just all 3 phases to even the voltage.

[@joeestes8114]

Thank you so much for making this video, you saved me alot of anguish!

[@aleblanc3547]

If I see more than two parallel lines on a sheet of paper (world's simplest wiring diagram) I get nervous, but this seems pretty straightforward. Thanks JW!!

[@savage6394]

I’m not sure why. I’m super confused about the second wire that you show coming into the box, where does it come from? Thanks in advance.

[@Scorbes]

Excellent explanation i finally get it, thank you for a great video.

[@azarellediaz4892]

Can you provide a link to that box you installed? You called it a “Static Box” but that search only brings up capacitor based inverters. Then I watched your video on a large tv and that box IS a phase inverter, so what is the motor needed for?

[@johnle1465]

Thank for sharing your knowledge, I have a question @9:00 min when you mention the 2nd 3 phase wire, is that from the static box?

[@buddymartin7923]

Dumb question but if I can generate 3 phase without it; whats the purpose of the static box? I have a mill and lathe I'm wanting to powet...but not at the same time

[@globalpioneer5076]

What size motor would I need to run a 200amp 3 phase welder?

[@Nudnik1]

Excellent work Thanks. Check temperature of L3 and all windings Will get warm if heavy continuous load is applied.

[@isaac3175]

Thank you very much for the very helpful information.

[@markbauman1411]

I've always wondered how you accomplish this. Thanks for explaining it so I could understand

[@B.Cote39]

Hey Johnathan, thx for the info! Are the motors expensive? Where do we get one ?? Thanks again

[@mjmcomputers]

Thanks for the explanation. My south bend lathe was 1/2hp 3 phase when I bought it but I had a single phase 1/2hp reversible motor laying around I swapped in. But If I ever get my mill I may keep it 3 phase and do it this way.

[@KevinCoop1]

MJM’s Workshop If you have multiple motors in your shop that are three phase this would be a good choice. But if you only have one or two, then you would be better off using a VFD(Variable Frequency Drive). They are now way cheaper than they used to be. Look for a TECO VFD Definitely put the three phase Back on your lathe! You can then control the speed forward and reverse with way more torque. You can see similar on the Rebel Woodturner channel. Good luck, hope this helps you.

[@akcdiversified5633]

Great video! Awesome tutorial, clear and simple!

[@joesabal1212]

Outstanding explanation of this setup; very well laid out. Question: what do u do when it is an air compressor that goes on/off as ur outsource motor?

[@jeffflanagan2814]

The converter would need to run all the time.

[@MegaLostOne]

Wait, the way you have L1 and L2 coming in and hooking directly to T1 and T2 on the lower side of the switch wouldn't they be hot even if you turned the switch off and killed power to the rotary phase converter motor? So that would leave L1 and L2 on the load side going to your piece of equipment hot?????? Wouldn't the equipment need to have L1 and L2 legs on the same side of the switch as the rotary phase motor this way you kill the single phase hot legs to the equipment when you turn off the switch to stop the rotary motor.

[@MegaLostOne]

I could see putting the equipment just the opposite of what you are showing on the switch since that would allow you to break the single phase coming in on T1 and T2 cutting power to the phase motor and killing power on the equipment side as well then having T3 break when you open the switch to kill the phase motor causing it to kill the generated leg to the equipment so you don't have a generated hot leg while the phase motor is winding down?????

[@MegaLostOne]

As far as the Phase-A-Matic, wouldn't you want the L1 and L2 legs switched as well so they aren't energized and trying to energize L3? Technically isn't it's only purpose here to try to compensate for any V-droop on the L3 leg?

[@jefilomeno]

Thanks for the video! Is it the same formula for a static converter as a rotary converter for motor horsepower? I want to run an 8 hp 3 phase motor.

[@watcherwatchmen7785]

Appreciate your video. If I was to hook up a gas motor shaft to a 3 phase motor shaft, and took the 3 phase motor to a 3 ph welder, I'd basically have a welder/generator. Correct? I'm trying to figure out how much of a motor I'd need to output enough current for welding. I don't think I'd have to deal with losses, since the gas power would be converted directly into 3ph power.

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Always information Jonathan! Newk from Kentucky

[@sabaskajt]

Skip to 2:18 to get to the info about the phase converter

[@edmanthey4770]

Does it matter weather the pony motor is an internally connected We and not a Delta??

[@thomasmarti5856]

Great video Johnathon ! one question , when you run the third wire on the opposite side of the block does it make that a constant power or ???

[@jeffflanagan2814]

No because the third leg only has power when the motor is spinning.

[@MegaLostOne]

@@jeffflanagan2814 Yes, but if the rotary phase converter is running and the switch is off isn't there still a hot leg (the one being generated) of the three phase going to the equipment? He asked the same question I was going to ask.

[@MegaLostOne]

OK, I get it the rotary couldn't be running because you killed power to it when you throw the switch to the off position. Got it. 😂

[@davesalzer3220]

Will the phase a matic start a larger motor than its rated to run under load I wonder? I have a 4-8 hp static and a 20 hp idler motor I’d like to start with it.

[@Clint_Page1]

I don’t understand why u have to have a static phase converter box after the rotary phase converter? I thought either converts the power from single phase to three phase? Im trying to do this but now real confused.

[@jonathanw4942]

A static box will handle one machine. A idler motor after starting it using the static box will run multiple machines.

[@Zach2Wheels]

Dude... I completely agree... I treat it like dark magic, very dangerous and nothing to toy with. Electricity that is (dark magic)

[@randyhughes5160]

Clear as mud

[@chrisretired5379]

For those not familiar with static box. This item “ makes” a temporary 3rd phase, through a timer within, like up to 8 seconds, to provide the initial start of a 3 phase motor load. Remember, most 3 phase motors will run on 2 phases, but not start with 2 phases. They will run at a reduced power. The static box mentioned, are purchased rated usually higher than the motor they will be driving. They are not as popular anymore since the frequency drives have become prolific, and user friendly along with some smaller ones available nowadays

[@steveskouson9620]

"2 phase?" PLEASE explain! steve

[@chrisretired5379]

Hi Steve, typical U.S. residential AC power is indeed called single phase 240 volt, however is 2 phases of power. Each hot phase to either ground or neutral conductor reference , with a meter, will show 120 volt, and both phases to each other, with meter, will show the 240 volt.

[@Engineer-Machinist]

Makes sense but the voltage will be imbalanced as drawn. My understanding is that you need capacitors to balance them.

[@jonathanw4942]

Been working for 20 years

[@bobjohnson6371]

Whats the static box for ?

[@glennedward2201]

How do you choose static phase converter to attach to it?

[@donrougeux2122]

Does the rpm matter for your pony motor

[@ryanb1874]

Is it true that if you do this and runni it off 1 leg, that the other fields that are simultaneously impress or generated in the other 2 coils, that if the voltage is 240, it actually become 277, so does that mean if you use that it will spin the motor on let's say a lathe l, that much faster.

[@donal1020]

i have an idealarc 250 lincoln stick welder and can only run it in 220v which is its low setting. i want to run it on its high side which is 440v will this motor power the welder alone?

[@johndudley5987]

Jw there ain’t nothing you can’t fix my friend. Really enjoy your videos

[@daddywoofdawg]

so the 3 phase goes to the machine motor in your drawing? what powers the motor in the video? and what does the phase a Matic do or is that your caps?

[@steveross1134]

If you switch T3 and leave T1 and T2 powered up to your equipment you'll run the risk of single-phase the three phase motor in your equipment motor won't you?

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

That's what I was wondering too: if there is a ground and uninterrupted power available people (and windings) are at risk from live circuits.

[@hotshoter2]

I'm a little old and slow but could you show me how to do it with a rope start up with the rope does it still need 220 to the motor ?

[@l92375]

Ive seen the extra motor set up to create the third phase before.Ive never seen the phase converter used with it,what does it do?I know by itself its supposed to convert to three phase.

[@jonathanw4942]

The motor needs an aid to start it, you can use a rope, a 110 motor with a pulley and belt to get it spinning (pony motor) or a static converter box. It is not a necessary item, but makes it easy

[@l92375]

Ok,thanks,The setup im used to seeing uses a rope to start the motor.

[@wyore4344]

Mr. Jonathan, great info.. could you please do a video on how the converter "works"? where you wire it in to your system; to run your machines? i did not understand. it would help me to see this motor in action. obviously, many shops can profit from 3-phase motors; please explain a little more. many thanks for your great videos! best to you and yours, walt

[@richardtullius6419]

You need to rewatch the video, it’s all there, just follow the lines.

[@robertarndt6413]

I’m kinda getting it but static box not really clear. I’ve seen capacitor inthem. What about different 3 ph voltage motors. Can someone exsplain this.

[@SuperBill1234567]

How does this work with T1 and T2 180 degrees apart, and T3 120 degrees apart from those two?

[@georgechambers3197]

OK, first great video. Second I have a couple of static boxes that have 220 single phase in and 220 3 phase out. I also have a 5 hp 3 pase motor but no markings on the wires comming out? Do you know of a simple way to figure out which wire is which comming out of the motor? Also can my static box be hooked up the way you've shown? I've enjoyed your videos for years, especially the wrecker stuff. I'm an old heavy recovery specialist, I even have a '76 Dodge with an old Homes 480 on that I still use around my property. Thanks for any answers you may have and thanks for the video!

[@forestlawrencegrading9154]

More power is always more efficient I had 110 running my well always burning out the points in the pressure switch about every 2 months so I switched it over to 220 3 years ago haven't touched the points or the pressure switch sense I I switched that over

[@ryanb1874]

Ouch

[@HelloKittyFanMan..]

Haha, rope-starting something that's electric instead of fuel-powered! That's pretty funny! I can just see you adapting the recoiler from a Briggs or Tecumseh, etc. engine onto the shaft and housing of a motor!

[@rajkumaretwaru7342]

Thanks for sharing I bought 3 motors on sale only to realise they are 400 volts I only have 220, what's my solution

[@brycelund4112]

Get a different motor.

[@cowfrank]

What is the phasomatic doing in this setup? Is it starting the generator motor?

[@jonathanw4942]

The motor needs an aid to start it, you can use a rope, a 110 motor with a pulley and belt to get it spinning (pony motor) or a static converter box. It is not a necessary item, but makes it easy

[@charlesmasey6815]

what is the static phase box for

[@ryanb1874]

Is it just running a siglepase powerful motor to spin a 3 phase motor to turn it into a generator

[@wyore4344]

J.W. i guess "clear as mud" is me too. how does this get wired in; to make your 3-phase motors run your machines. help vid. please. walt

[@geltecmail]

Just a note: When reversing the 3 phase, it is the 2 wires next to each other (side by side). Ex: T1 and T2 or T2 and T3. If you switched T1 with T3, it would run the same as if you did nothing. Love the videos always learning something I did not know about.

[@russmt4181]

You can switch ANY two of the line leads and it will reverse the motor.

[@steveskouson9620]

@@russmt4181, quite correct! steve

[@davidtappe5337]

Great great video. Love this.

[@davidfisher69]

Zippo sent me over , love your videos.

[@vertoisful]

So do you actually need the switches?

[@printblaster6555]

do you still have the old one?

[@Mrdubomb]

Best explanation Ive heard so far, im wondering would it be safe to assume that only 208 volts 3 phase is available since you are inputing 220 volts into it?

[@ryanb1874]

So that would be center tapped neutral to tope line on a transformer, I guess it's just finding the analogous windings in the motor...

[@gregtice7479]

thanks for the info Jonathan

[@derekobidowski3301]

i would recommend the rotary phase converter to Bus Grease Monkey for his new planned shop in Tenneessee as something in addition to his 200 amp service he be getting there.

[@karl6823]

Hell yea I love how much I learn from you Jonathan your full of sooo much knowledge!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@flyoversirens3704]

I'm running a 10 hp motor , do I need the equivalent hp and rpm?

[@jonathanw4942]

You will need at least a 15hp idler

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

@@jonathanw4942 sorry, if you explained I missed it - what an 'idler'? Is that the main motor that's driving equipment? Like a 3-phase table saw with a 5hp 3-phase motor, that 5hp motor is the idler? And the 'pony motor' is a small motor used to actually spin the main motor to allow it to start - is that right?

[@jeffflanagan2814]

Great video! Couple questions thou. Does it matter which direction you spin the motor? And does this eat a lot more electricity?

[@brendonspencer2367]

I've had a phase converter for my lathe with a rope start for a decade. You can spin it either way but whatever you're running will spin that way too. So if you spin up the phase converter clockwise your machine will run clockwise in forward. If you spin up the converter counterclockwise your machine will run counterclockwise in forward. Hope this makes sense. And if you use it alot you'll notice a small jump in the power bill but it's worth every penny to have 3 phase at home.

[@pay1920]

will this work on a 3 phase plasma cutter

[@hotshoter2]

Do you have any 68 dodge trucks for parts ?

[@bobjohnson6371]

Great video, thanks for posting. So that is considered wye start low voltage? Our first converter used a pony motor to start, and was wired : L1, (1-6-7,) L2 ( 2,4,8,) L3 (3,5,9), which i understand is delta start ??My new panel has start and run capacitors . I'm a little confused.

[@gilbertboshell3147]

I need help on how to use this to run a air compressor,Hope you can help me out! Thanks in advance

[@paulnovak833]

He just did help you.

[@mick1gallagher]

That set will not run a compressor

[@wendell454]

Michael it Will run a Air compressors the motors Disney know if its running a compressor or lathe

[@chrisretired5379]

Ooops, add on to that the static box mentioned makes that temporary 3rd phase with a timer within, through capacitor s.

[@duggy788]

can you tell me what the static box does please .

[@jonathanw4942]

The motor needs an aid to start it, you can use a rope, a 110 motor with a pulley and belt to get it spinning (pony motor) or a static converter box. It is not a necessary item, but makes it easy.

[@duggy788]

thank you .

[@duggy788]

would the box work like a capacitor .

[@jonathanw4942]

It is one, it has two big ones in it.

[@pappabob29]

Not an "expert" on the "phase converter" topic but do know that in actual 3 phase power, the three conductors are providing "alternating" impulses" (AC) that are 120 degrees apart if you were to look at how often those impulses happen in a 360degree rotation. The 3 phase motor rotates/turns following those rotational impulses. If you put single phase (two conductors just alternating back and forth) on a 3 phase motor, it sees no rotation so it just sits there, draws lots of amps since it's not turning, and will burn up if it's not protected (overloads). The converter box is "tricking" the single phase (with those capacitors) into looking and acting like 3 separate power impulses in every 360 degree rotation. Don't have a clue what part the new motor is playing towards making that "third" leg of the circuit.

[@alchemy1]

Instead of diagram I like to actually see it. I had a hard time understanding what you actually said. Where do those wires go to or came from that you had it coming from the bottom up to the three phase motor. I had difficulty hearing what you said. two wires ( plus one ground) on the bottom left side and three wires ( plus one ground) on the bottom right side. Noiw where those wires belong to. Are they coming from the circuit breaker? left side 120 V and right side 240 plus 120 or.... ?

[@ClownWhisper]

this is going to be unbalaced, you are supposed to use caps inline???

[@jonathanw4942]

It sure works good

[@nilton1044]

Just put a start capacitor on t3 with a momentary bottom and your done those static phase boxes are only good for 3 hp

[@zadvindersingh4234]

Running capacitor will work??

[@nickgc1234]

is this in delta or star?

[@eugenepolan1750]

Towing, Wrenching, Fabricating, Welding, Machining, and now Hi-Lo Volt AC Motors - no challenge seems to Phase you!

[@jimbuford4147]

Am I right that you need 220 to convert to 3 phase ? Really enjoy your vids. I check for them daily.

[@KevinCoop1]

Jim, Since he did not answer, I thought I would. The motor is dual rated by how you splice the wires. It will run on 240 or 480 volts. Voltage numbers are nominal. 220 or 240 volts is the same thing. He spliced it for 240 volts. The two conductors from his single phase panel, would be a 2 pole circuit breaker, so 240 volts. I'm not sure why people try to say it's 120 on each and they add together. It's 240 volts single phase. I hope this helps you understand.

[@bornjcan]

@@KevinCoop1 people say they add because in some regions, if you check between one wire and neutral with a volt meter, you will get 110 or 120 , same for the other wire and neutral , and checking between both is 220 or 240, whichever is common to the region... Transformer from power company maybe wound as 220/240 center tapped.

[@KevinCoop1]

Jim Buford I'm very sorry, I must have been asleep when I commented the first time. The answer had nothing to do with your question. The answer is no you do not need 220 volts to convert to three phase, to a point. TECO makes 120v single phase to 240 v three phase frequency drives. To a point, means only small motors. If you look them up, you will see the voltage breakdowns.

[@KevinCoop1]

Philip Williams I 100% agree with your comment. But, if you take the center tap completely out of the transformer, you will still get 240 volts. Hence the reason I contend you do not add them. The one that really gets me going is when they say out of phase and 180 degrees. If they started with "On an oscilloscope..............". Then I'm ok. The O Scope test condition causes the described condition. In the real world, the electrons can not be "out of phase". Respectfully, Kevin

[@davidcraddock7011]

were you running the third wire from your phase a matic to the lower side of T3 switch or to the upper side of T3?

[@jonathanw4942]

The third wire was ran from the power side, but from experience, I found it works either way.

[@davidcraddock7011]

many thanks Jonathan

[@codyleach2478]

Jonathan, I sent you a package a little while back, did you ever receive it? Also, very interesting video!

[@jonathanw4942]

Yes sir!! Email me at [e-mail]

[@codyleach2478]

Jonathan W email has been sent!

[@8qBIT]

Why not just use VFD where needed?

[@mick1gallagher]

I think your understanding of two windings is wrong if that's a duel voltage motor other wise known as star delta there are three windings one for each phase

[@randyscott990]

Pretty miss leading initial KZbin title. Video does not show “ how to build” a rotary converter, it shows how to wire one up. Instructions come with the converter.

[@rustymachineshop9456]

Starting ur rotor phase motor with a single phase motor is the way to go cheapest too

[@dannysettles5646]

Thanks 👍

[@paublusamericanus292]

if you don't understand it, I won't either. way better to teach someone who is pretty close to what you know, than some expert, talking cosmic mystery theories. what have we learned from ufo drivers, like nothing.

[@markedwards1900]

Easy buy a static and add a motor

[@RRRIBEYE]

Thought you weren't gonna 'complicate' this?! :-)

[@gangleweed]

Anyone with the smallest amount of electrical skill can build a rotary phase converter.....that is single phase in and 3 phase out......the very real problem is, and one that nobody without a degree in electrical knowledge is able to achieve is the control circuitry that balances the phases as the load varies. Sure, you can make one that will drive a 3 phase motor under constant load conditions once you balance the voltages on the phases, but don't think that the voltages will stay balanced once you vary the loading like for a lathe or milling machine. A regular commercial phase converter has a bank of capacitors that are varied by electronic circuitry to keep the phase voltages balanced and you cannot do that manually.

[@jonathanw4942]

So you're telling me after I've used it for 25 years that it won't work.

[@gangleweed]

@@jonathanw4942 Out of context.........it will work as long as you tolerate the imbalance of the phase voltages......and if you think the voltages are not unbalanced on a home build you are fooling yourself. A fairly large motor will drive a fairly smaller load as the imbalance won't be noticed.

[@jonathanw4942]

@@gangleweed That is why your idler motor is at least double the horsepower of the motor you are running. No noticeable imbalance.

[@gangleweed]

@@jonathanw4942 The imbalance is still there no matter what you may think.....it is impossible to balance the phases manually and you stand a risk of burning the driven motor windings when they overheat due to imbalanced phases..........but you know best.

[@shauntucker5145]

You said start 1\2 I've heard 2\3 any thoughts

[@chuckhaynes6458]

Thanks.