Posted by Mark Kw
on March 25, 2010, 9:58:16
71.48.251.146
I'm looking at a soft start for my lathe and found the one linked below...
soft start
According to the tech rep, this is supposed to work on single phase 240v motor with or with capacitor start. I need it for a 2Hp 240Vac 1ph reversing motor. I have to verify that the reverse switching is accomplished through the lathe controls but I'm fairly sure it is. That being the case, could I not install the soft start between the internal lathe controls and the motor thus eliminating the need to re-wire the whole unit?
What I'm trying to accomplish is eliminating the shock-load applied to the gearing on start-up. Currently the motor starts as normal at wide open throttle and I'd prefer to have the ramp-up delay. Loading on start-up is minimal with it being just turning the gearing and work piece so it won't be starting under full-load.
My other, and considerably more expensive, option is to go with a 1ph to 3ph VFD and change the motor to a 3ph which I just happen to have a few that will fit. The drawback to that option, aside from the cost, is that I then loose motor control via the lathe controls - that's not a real bad thing but would require me to install an additional reversing switch on the 3ph side. Not that I run reverse much, if at all, but as soon as I do away with it, I'll need it.... 
Of course I'm open to any other thoughts/ideas including something I can build to accomplish the same results.
Thanks,
Mark
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