AC verses DC

Re: AC verses DC

Bill Hale / The Wood Spinner

>AC more expensive but smooth rotation when turned off. I have one of each and when turning I see no difference.

I am not sure but I think all DC units have brushes that require service. My DC lathe is at my other home or I would go check it.

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Re: AC verses DC

John Lucas

>Harold

It depends on whether you are talking AC motors with mechanical drives or AC variable Frequency drives. I prefer the AC VFD. to DC or AC with mechanical. For simplicity sake it's hard to beat the old AC motor and step pulleys.

Re: AC verses DC

David Eaves

>Hi there,

There is no simple answer to this as it all depends on the specific motors. As John has said it depends on the ac drive and stuff, also the type of d.c motor. Bill is right most (not all) d.c motors have brushes which need periodic maintaince. On the other hand some simple single phase a.c. motors have centrifrugal switches which can cause problems.

Probably, a.c. with a Variable frequency drive will be the most reliable and give good speed-torque characteristics.

David

Re: AC verses DC

Guy

>I go for AC with variable drive and use stepped pulleys. You have all kinds of speed/torque combinations at your fingertips and reliability is usually a non-issue. I use a variable frequency drive (single phase in) with a 3 phase motor. This is hooked up to stepped pulleys (motor and headstock). Check out Dealers Electric, they have a web site, they will answers your questions honestly, prices are good, at least that has been my experience with them. Guy