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Yeah, the cost of 3ph machines on the used market can be really attractive and it's definitely one of the big reasons that this is even a question for me. I've certainly come across a few Unisaws (among other things) that would be really tempting, if they were just a little closer (why does everything good have to be a 4+ hour drive from me?! ðŸ˜)Â
An interesting option that I ran across overnight is the DIY option for an RPC - basically an add-your-own-motor kit. A quick look through my area shows some seemingly suitable 10hp motors in the $200 range. With the kits in the $150-250 range, that's an attractive price to address multiple machines and do so at full power (at least within the scope of machinery that I'm considering).Â
Oh, and the gist of what I've come to understand on VFD sizing is: you can run an undersized VFD, 'specially if you don't think that you'll bump your head on its power ceiling very often... but don't get too silly with the undersizing. If this is correct, I think that the 5hp tables would be fair game with a decent 3hp VFD. What I've been seeing on a lot of these motors is an FLA (full load amps) of ~12, whereas these 3hp VFDs are rated for 10-10.5 (with many able to provide 50% more for 60 sec and 100% more for a brief spurt). I can't speak for others, but I think that would cover me just fine. Â
An interesting option that I ran across overnight is the DIY option for an RPC - basically an add-your-own-motor kit. A quick look through my area shows some seemingly suitable 10hp motors in the $200 range. With the kits in the $150-250 range, that's an attractive price to address multiple machines and do so at full power (at least within the scope of machinery that I'm considering).Â
Oh, and the gist of what I've come to understand on VFD sizing is: you can run an undersized VFD, 'specially if you don't think that you'll bump your head on its power ceiling very often... but don't get too silly with the undersizing. If this is correct, I think that the 5hp tables would be fair game with a decent 3hp VFD. What I've been seeing on a lot of these motors is an FLA (full load amps) of ~12, whereas these 3hp VFDs are rated for 10-10.5 (with many able to provide 50% more for 60 sec and 100% more for a brief spurt). I can't speak for others, but I think that would cover me just fine. Â
