Power for an EU lathe.

Post: # 19863Unread post **concretecowboy71** Wed May 23, 2012 10:41 pm

I bought another VMS70 lathe.

It was last in service in the EU.

The power supplies are clearly marked 220volts.

What is my best solution for supplying the correct voltage?

1) A step up transformer.

2) Having an electrican run a 220 volt line to the room.

I will admit that my knowledge about this subject is limited so please offer any and all advice on any level from beginner to expert. I know the 50hz motor wont work so I bought a 60hz one.

Anything else I need to consider before I set it up? Thanks.

Post: # 19864Unread post **bancho** Thu May 24, 2012 4:05 am

You can get Siemens Micromaster or similar "inverter" which can transform any voltage/frequency to any voltage/freq.
I use it to run my Presto which has totally american driven motor.

Post: # 19865Unread post **petermontg** Thu May 24, 2012 5:03 am

If you decide to to sell I'll take it off your hands. Most converters have the problem of not changing line freq. Am still searching for a decent step up for line freq.

Thanks for the recommend bancho going check out that siemens for the EU convert.

Post: # 19866Unread post **petermontg** Thu May 24, 2012 5:22 am

Double post

Post: # 19867Unread post **dubcutter89** Thu May 24, 2012 5:32 am

Most converters have the problem of not changing line freq...

Well if you use a tansformer there will be no difference in line frequency...

There are dedicated tools for this such as the Micromaster etc. (Frequenzumrichter = frequency converter???) which convert your line to anything you want... Most of them are for Motors and hence have 3 phase current which sometimes is nice and sometimes not...
I'm searching for one that has only one phase approx. 100-300 Watt and is easy to adjust. Anybody?

Lukas

@Bancho, is it working again?

Post: # 19868Unread post **petermontg** Thu May 24, 2012 5:40 am

Would the siemens solve this problem for me and others so?

Post: # 19869Unread post **dubcutter89** Thu May 24, 2012 5:47 am

For the VMS, I think that the transformers have taps for 110V and 220V (Maybe someone else knows better...)
If so you can solder a new cable to them and everything is fine.

If not, check the power rating of the machine (I guess you only want to use the pitch, because you already have a fitting motor... what about the cutteramp?) If it is not to high (~100-300W) I guess you can get a step up transformer.

Normally the line frequ. should not be a rpoblem as the pitch is converting it to DC...

Hope this helps

Lukas

Post: # 19870Unread post **dubcutter89** Thu May 24, 2012 5:58 am

Would the siemens solve this problem for me and others so?

I guess you have one of those prestos with a bodine motor?
Well you could use one of those, yes.
But as I said I'm looking for a 1 Phase Version of this since most little motors only need 1 phase (and a capacitor), and this would be a much better solution...

IMPORTANT: All this information are just my thoughts how you probably could solve your problems. MAINS VOLTAGE IS DANGEROUS !!! If you ruin your lathe or whatever it is not my fault!

Post: # 19873Unread post **Serif** Thu May 24, 2012 8:31 am

Hopefully Paul can chime in. For whatever it's worth, the Scully LS-76 must be run on 105-130 v, however, the frequence of alternation can be either 50 or 60 cycles. So, maybe the VMS can be restrapped?

- Juan Phiftine, V

Post: # 19874Unread post **dietrich10** Thu May 24, 2012 9:46 am

I am sure AG or Muth have good solutions for you. Long term makes sense change what guts you need to and run it without convertors

Post: # 19875Unread post **bancho** Thu May 24, 2012 12:26 pm

@dubcutter89:
no, still I have the problems. I've read the manual and actually the settings are very simple. I've done everything I could (knew)... but still doesn't work. I've contacted Siemens and now they are processing my request... I'm expecting the answer soon

I actually know it works for converting the EU voltage/freq. to american... the other way I'm just guessing... but the commercial says it can transform anything.

Post: # 19877Unread post **opcode66** Thu May 24, 2012 1:00 pm

dubcutter89 wrote:For the VMS, I think that the transformers have taps for 110V and 220V

I am fairly certain you are correct. A quick check of the schematic could verify this.

Post: # 19881Unread post **gold** Thu May 24, 2012 1:54 pm

I think Clint has a 60Hz motor for it so the line frequency doesn't need to be changed. That makes it MUCH easier. I'd say just run a 220 line. If it's domestic power it should be easy as the service enters the house at 220VAC. If it's commercial power it is probably three phase with 208 per leg. The lathe would probably be happy with 208VAC but a small step up wouldn't be a bad idea.

Post: # 19882Unread post **gold** Thu May 24, 2012 2:02 pm

opcode66 wrote:
dubcutter89 wrote:For the VMS, I think that the transformers have taps for 110V and 220V
I am fairly certain you are correct. A quick check of the schematic could verify this.

The drive racks have a switch for different taps. The lathes were supplied for a single voltage. You also have to have the correct motor as they were supplied at a single voltage/frequency. The motor tap on the power transformer is either 120VAC or 220VAC.

Post: # 19884Unread post **concretecowboy71** Thu May 24, 2012 2:28 pm

Yes, I will be picking up the correct motor from Al next week.

I did find reference to the voltage switch in the Calibration section of my manual, but it does not seem that I have a schematic for the power supply to tell me where that is.

Paul, are you saying that the lathe itself (not the amp rack) will have to be fed 220 no mater what?

I have no problem doing that but just want to make sure I follow this thread correctly. I have already noticed that the wiring harness off of the lathe transformer is different than the one I have already. These I am assuming are the different taps for the 110 motor.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

Post: # 19885Unread post **gold** Thu May 24, 2012 3:25 pm

concretecowboy71 wrote: Paul, are you saying that the lathe itself (not the amp rack) will have to be fed 220 no mater what?

Yes.

These I am assuming are the different taps for the 110 motor.

According to the schematic I have there is only a single set of motor taps. You need the motor voltage to match the lathe transformer.

Post: # 19927Unread post **concretecowboy71** Wed May 30, 2012 9:37 am

For future educational purposes here is how it shook out with my lathe.

The rack power supply has jumpers on the circuit boards that allow you to change the voltage. They are marked very well and the job is not too hard.

The lathe itself has a switch (rotary) that allows you to select the voltage that you need. Works the same way as the jumpers, just do not have to do any soldering.

My newer power supply just has a switch on it, just never really noticed it before because I didn't need to change anything.

Thanks for all of the input!

Post: # 20818Unread post **Simon** Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:25 pm

I have posted this before

I got this running on a vms66 for a mate of mine

1 x 50amp 12v stable power supply - vms66 pulls about 35amps

1 x 1200 12v to 110v inverter from eBay USA with a pure sign wave

Hook it up and you have a US lathe motor running at the right speed

Do it in reverse to get an EU motor running in the US