Installing a VFD and 3 Phase Motor on a 10x22 Lathe

I love my 10x22 Lathe. It is a very capable machine but can be made even better by adding a 3 phase motor and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). The new motor and VFD give the lathe low speed operation with great torque and higher high speed operation of up to 3600 RPM. In addition, the 3 phase motor runs smother giving a better finish and is more reliable than the old single phase motor which came with the lathe.

I have documented my 3 Phase Motor up-grade in pictures in the Photo section here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/10x22grizzlyandthelike/photos/album/1586060735/pic\ /list The photo section from the 10x22 Group showed the installation of a NEMA 56 type motor. I have since found out that most of the 10x22 lathes come equipped with an IEC D80 motor which is also known as a metric motor. This motor is a drop in replacement which will allow you to skip making a bushing, modifying the shaft, and mounting issues. A Leeson 1 HP D80 3 Phase motor is available for $140 from http://www.amazon.com Thanks to Robert Goslin of the10x22 Yahoo group for posting this information. This document shows the installation of the motor, the Teco 1 HP VFD (110V input220V 3 Phase output), a digital Tach/SFM module, and an external cabinet to mount the VFD.

This is the Leeson motor which I used: 1hp 1700RPM D80 Frame 230 V Leeson Electric Metric Motor #192051 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9ORU4/ref=oss_product

This motor cost $140 including free Amazon shipping. IT IS A DROP IN REPLACEMENT. No modifications were needed. The mounting holes are correct, the size is correct, and the shaft/keyway and end hole are all correct. I messed around for a week adapting a 56C frame motor to work. If you have the $140 dollars, this is the way to go. It is a beautiful motor which has excellent ball bearing construction and is smooth running.

I bought a Teco 115V in/220 3Phase out VFD. What a great VFD! It is a sensorless vector drive which provides awesome torque right down to very low RPMs. It only costs $131. http://www.dealerselectric.com/item.asp?cID=28&PID=428

I highly recommend the Leeson Motor and Teco VFD. You can't beat the price. Buying a 56C motor will take more work to install than purchasing the new Leeson Motor. I added a Tachometer/SFM module of my own design and I moved all electronics except the tachometer to an external plastic box mounted on the side of my bench. The following page contains the schematic for connecting a VFD to a 3 Phase motor for the 10x22:

This design includes the original magnetic contactor except I moved it to the external box with the VFD. It uses all original switches except that the direction switch is now low voltage. The tachometer is optional. The schematic shows the cable breaks between the lathe and the control box. I used connectors for these breaks but this is optional. The control box is an off the shelf item from the Home Depot electrical isle. I included a fan which probably was not necessary which is why it is not shown on the schematic.

I added connectors for my low voltage and 110V cables so I can disconnect the new control box from the lathe.

This picture shows the wiring to the lathe front panel. All original switches were used. The potentiometer and tachometer were added to the panel.

During the rebuild, I removed all electrical components inside the original 10x22 control box. One of my single phase start capacitors had an end cap which was ready to blow out and had bubbles all over the exterior. I would have had to replace this cap if I hadn't done the upgrade.

The box contains the VFD, the original contactor, a terminal strip, a wall wart for the tachometer, and the optional fan. The fan blows air up through the VFD and out a passive vent on the top of the box.

The total 3 Phase motor/VFD upgrade cost was about $315. VFD Motor Box Potentiomenter Misc Cables TOTAL $130 $140 $ 30 $5 $10 $315

Lathe shown running at 485RPM. The left knob controls the speed. The right knob allows me to switch between RPM and SFM and enter work diameter. A great lathe is now even better!