Using a 3 phase ramp at home

[RockyBalboa]

A friend has a 3 phase ramp and wants to use it at home - are converters available for the difference in voltage?

[E-bmw]

There is no (actual) difference in voltage, 3-phase is just 3 x 230v supplies 120 degrees out of phase and is measured differently which is where the different (apparent) voltage comes from.

You just need a 3-phase converter, which you will likely get from Machine Mart etc.

[cknotty]

I remember seeing a thread on here about the same thing. You can get converters from Machine Mart but it says on their website they are not suitable for lifts (high startup current I think).

[dhutch]

You can get converters but make sure you do the research on specs.

Another option it to replace the motor with a single phase equivalent which might be the best option. The control circuitry is almost certainly single phase.

[GreenV8S]

Cheap rotary phase converters are essentially a three phase motor being driven across one phase and used as a generator on the other two. This type is very poor at handling phase imbalances and won't work well to power three phase motors with a high startup torque requirement. The sort of converter needed would be far more expensive than just replacing the motor.

[brman]

E-bmw said:

There is no (actual) difference in voltage, 3-phase is just 3 x 230v supplies 120 degrees out of phase and is measured differently which is where the different (apparent) voltage comes from.

You just need a 3-phase converter, which you will likely get from Machine Mart etc.

Sort of, but you might also need to convert the motor from star to delta configuration although this will depend on the type of inverter you use.
For most motors this is easy but on a few it is not really a DIY task.

[E-bmw]

brman said:

E-bmw said:

There is no (actual) difference in voltage, 3-phase is just 3 x 230v supplies 120 degrees out of phase and is measured differently which is where the different (apparent) voltage comes from.

You just need a 3-phase converter, which you will likely get from Machine Mart etc.

Sort of, but you might also need to convert the motor from star to delta configuration although this will depend on the type of inverter you use.
For most motors this is easy but on a few it is not really a DIY task.

You are correct about the star/delta issue being a possibility, but what part of my answer was only "sort of" right? The question was about voltage difference, which I answered correctly.

[Mikey G]

A link to the machine mart ones :-
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/phase-converters/
I have not tried these but been tempted with a 3 phase lathe.

Note there is a review on the high output model about it being used without issue on a 4 poster ramp.
I suppose it will depend on the initial load on startup and you would have to take that into consideration. Just buying one to match the motor rating will probably not work.
Replacing the motor with a single phase unit would be ideal but you also have to consider wether it requires the motor to reverse if it is directly driven and the control system would have to change due to this. Electro hydraulic wouldnt be a problem as it would just release pressure to drop (once the safety is released).

[brman]

E-bmw said:

brman said:

E-bmw said:

There is no (actual) difference in voltage, 3-phase is just 3 x 230v supplies 120 degrees out of phase and is measured differently which is where the different (apparent) voltage comes from.

You just need a 3-phase converter, which you will likely get from Machine Mart etc.

Sort of, but you might also need to convert the motor from star to delta configuration although this will depend on the type of inverter you use.
For most motors this is easy but on a few it is not really a DIY task.

You are correct about the star/delta issue being a possibility, but what part of my answer was only "sort of" right? The question was about voltage difference, which I answered correctly.

Sort of, in that what you said is strictly correct but gives the impression that 3 phase converter/inverter will generate the same voltages as a "normal" 3 phase supply. They don't always (in fact don't usually with low cost inverters), hence the star/delta comment.

[E-bmw]

brman said:

E-bmw said:

brman said:

E-bmw said:

There is no (actual) difference in voltage, 3-phase is just 3 x 230v supplies 120 degrees out of phase and is measured differently which is where the different (apparent) voltage comes from.

You just need a 3-phase converter, which you will likely get from Machine Mart etc.

Sort of, but you might also need to convert the motor from star to delta configuration although this will depend on the type of inverter you use.
For most motors this is easy but on a few it is not really a DIY task.

You are correct about the star/delta issue being a possibility, but what part of my answer was only "sort of" right? The question was about voltage difference, which I answered correctly.

Sort of, in that what you said is strictly correct but gives the impression that 3 phase converter/inverter will generate the same voltages as a "normal" 3 phase supply. They don't always (in fact don't usually with low cost inverters), hence the star/delta comment.

I get what you say, although not whether you are right, but you are still missing my point/answer details.

The OP asked about a voltage converter, I told him he needs a 3-phase converter.

[RockyBalboa]

I've still yet to see the ramp but apparently it's a 'Rotary' brand hydraulic 2 post.

A quick search and I've found these if they'd be any good?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383777994432?epid=40243...

Or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154157585416?hash=item2...

[Polly Grigora]

Loads of money for a converter!

Have you considered buying a single phase hydraulic pump?

[Mikey G]

RockyBalboa said:

I've still yet to see the ramp but apparently it's a 'Rotary' brand hydraulic 2 post.

A quick search and I've found these if they'd be any good?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383777994432?epid=40243...

Or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154157585416?hash=item2...

Now that we have established it is hydraulic, replacing the motor with a single phase unit will be far easier and cheaper than either of those pair of control inverters.

[E-bmw]

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

Much easier & cheaper, just match the spec of the 3-phase one with a single phase correctly & it will be good to go.

[RockyBalboa]

Where can I get a single phase motor from?

I've just gone to see the old fellow and here are some pics from the motor:



and

[Mikey G]

You dont have a picture of the complete motor and tank unit do you?
Its a big unit and even those 'converters' you linked too earlier would be too small. You can get away with a smaller pump unit which will probably slow down the lift and may reduce capacity but I would imagine a lift with that size motor is bigger than you need anyway.
Main thing to look at is tank capacity if changing the whole unit as you need enough to fill the rams.
There is a single phase unit on ebay at 2.2kw for £250 but I suspect the tank may be smaller.

[RockyBalboa]

Here are a couple of pics of the complete unit:



And

[Belle427]

The nameplate suggests it can be wired for 240 volt operation all be it at a slightly higher current.
Remove the terminal box cover and see if there is a connection diagram on it.

[E-bmw]

Belle427 said:

The nameplate suggests it can be wired for 240 volt operation all be it at a slightly higher current.
Remove the terminal box cover and see if there is a connection diagram on it.

Don't know where/why you are seeing that, it distinctly looks like it is 3 phase to me from the data plate.

This MIGHT be a suitable replacement.

https://autoliftpartsplus.com/product/fa7147k-glob...

[Polly Grigora]

120 Volts x 1.732 = 208 Volts