Powermatic Inverter = Dead ???

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

robo hippy

Some of the tool repair places might be able to look at it and tell. You need a good technician. Maybe call Delta, the people that make it, they may have a service center close by. Not Delta tools like the table saw.

robo hippy

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Phillip Medghalchi

Doc, if my memory serves, about a month or ago there was a discussion aobut this and soemone suggested that there seems to be a fuse somewhere inbehind that screen. I am sorry I do not own a PM just remembered the post. I hope that is the problem and he doesn't have to end up forking out $500 + on this problem.

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Dale Miner

Not endorsing the following, but just posting to show there are a lot of options. Google 'frequency drive'.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Drives/GS2_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_-z-_575_VAC_V-z-Hz_Control)/GS2_Drive_Units_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_-z-_575_VAC)

Over the years I have seen several posts where folk have replaced their inverters, and automation direct sticks in my mind.

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

john Veerkamp

Check for authorized Baldor repair shops. They make many of these inverters. Even it not a Baldor , the shops have the experience to diagnose and repair many different models.

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Josh Bowman

This one is from Galco is a 2 hp 230 volt Delta VFD for $289. Search Google for VFD015M21B and select Galco website.

Dealerselectric has TECO VFD's 230 volt and 2 HP starting at $156.

These aren't to complicated to hook up and program, just look at the hook up instructions and ask. Dealer Electric will talk you through it on the phone.

good luck

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Chuck Engstrom

I suspect that what Powermatic wants to sell him is a brand new identical drive already programmed like the original. It may well be that just like a computer motherboard, these things really can't be repaired, since the innards hold so many integrated circuits that finding the one item that brought it down is just not sensible.

Other suppliers sell the same box, of course, at much lower prices, but then you've got to get the proper programming into it for this application. My 3520A has a Delta VFD015B21A, with manufacturer's info, including link to PDF of the manual, at http://www.deltaacdrives.com/delta-vfd015b21a/. The manual does have a discussion of how to read off the existing programming (you'll need to find one that's still working) and how to put it into the new one (be vary careful!) These drives seem to be referred to as Delta VFD-B AC drives in the sites I looked at. And I did get the impression somewhere that they are being superseded by newer design, C2000 series.

Best wishes for a quick fix -- Chuck

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Harvey Meyer in Atlanta

My Powermatic inverter died about 2 months ago. It was stuck on OCC fault and would not clear. I purchased an inverter, different brand, from an electric motor supply company. It was $203 plus shipping - total about $220. It arrived in 2 days. I installed it, wired it, programmed it, and it's been working fine since. I also did the same for one of my buddies who had the same problem and he's back in action as well. Email me if you want details.

Harvey

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

robo hippy

When I had to replace the headstock bearings in my old PM 3520A, I got the parts, a new belt, and had it replaced at a local tool shop for less than I could get the parts if I went through PM.

robo hippy

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

don stephan

In December the inverter to my 4224 started throwing error codes and wouldn't turn the motor. PM said the inverter discontinued, they could provide a substitute. Called the manuf rep in the states for delta Elec and they confirmed the unit discontinued but some still in transit to US. they also said inverters not repaired, they are replaced.

I don't know inverters from bananas, there are a number of wires connected, and drilled mounting holes, so I was glad to get a new if discontinued identical model. With shipping it was about $325 I think.

Re: Powermatic Inverter = Dead  ???

Bill Turpin in WNC mountains

If you end up with a replacement that needs to be programmed: be sure that the overload parameter is turned on and set at FLA of your motor. This comes many times turned off. Most VFDs will trip at 115% of the FLA. This gives a momentary overload(normal starting amps) a chance before tripping. Of the approximately 200 parameters, only about fifteen need to be changed. Look at all including the last ONE.

Dead PM Inverter Fixed !

Doc Green

First of all, Big Thanks! to everyone for your responses and offers to help. We came up with several options and the hard part was to decide which way to go. But here's what played out.

Back in December I devoted a day to giving a friend and former student an introduction to turning, at no charge, of course. Had fun. What does this friend do for a living? Works on VFD drives, every day of the week.

So I sent him an email to ask for his suggestions. Yesterday morning he replied that he would be happy to take a look at it. Took it to him yesterday afternoon. Got a message this morning that it was fixed! Have not yet put it back on the lathe, but that should be a simple matter.

The problem was two defective electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. Doesn't get much easier than that!

Thanks again for your responses to my post. I've filed them away for future use if/when the need arises. ~Doc

Re: Dead PM Inverter Fixed !

Bill Howatt

That's certainly good news! I would say the fault was in the less complex part of the circuit - I wouldn't want to chase around inverter problems in the clever part of the circuit.

I assume these capacitors are possibly the ones that get charged up to a high DC voltage by the line input and that voltage is then "chopped up" to make the variable-frequency AC.

Would be interesting to know what percentage of inverter failures are those capacitors if I'm right about their function.

Bill

Re: Dead PM Inverter Fixed !

Doc Green

Bill, in fact the capacitors were 100uF@35V, part of the low-voltage supply. They were not "the big ones" that you were referring to.

My friend, the VFD tech, tells me that this is one of the most frequent failures in a VFD. The "clever stuff" almost never fails.

. . . We dodged a bullet!

Re: Dead PM Inverter Fixed ! *LINK*

Mike Brazeau

Great to see the are still people around that will do component level repair. Good outcome.


The Joy of Wood

A great resource you have there!

Dick Coers

It would be interesting to see if the guy does that on his own, and if he would receive faulty units from other turners. I read about those failures from time to time, I'd be certain those folks would love to pay less than $150-$200 to get a VFD repaired. Congrats Doc!

Re: Dead PM Inverter Fixed !

Bill Howatt

Thanks for the good info but I hope mine never fails.

If it does, I'll have a look at the "simple stuff" before throwing it out. I imagine the next most likely failure point are the semiconductors that drive the motor and then the real clever stuff. Problem with that is wondering if the device just broke or something driving it is causing it and any new replacements to fail.

Bill