3-phase converter

[walker1]

We have some equipment placed on a lifting table powered by a 3-phase 400V motor.
This is the only device in the entire system requiring 3 phases.
The rest can easily run from a single 230V phase. A good one, that is (4-5 kW
The whole thing is mounted in a 20' container, making it mobile, but we may encounter locations without 3-phase power in the future.

I know you can get converters delivering 3-phase AC with only one phase in. High-power versions are used in windmills and trains, I guess, but how about something in the order of 5-7 kW ? (motor alone)

Or would it be a better solution to bring a fuel powered generator along should the problem arise ?

 

[TheBlacksmith]

There are a lot of companies that offer 3 phase converters for home or small workshops that don't have 3 phase wired in. Grizzly Industrial (Grizzly.com) offers some small units that might fit the bill. Several magazines catering to the home machinst/woodworker (I don't have any at hand) have ads in the back sections for other manufacturers. The one limitation seems to be starting torque/inrush current limits. Check it out.

Blacksmith

 

[peebee]

I'm pretty sure that you could use a VFD or VFD/transformer combo to help you with this. You might want to talk to some VFD manufacturers. There's others on this site that would be more knowledgeable in this than me, too.

 

[busbar]

Please do a keyword search at this site. It's been exhaustively discussed here…no waiting!

 

[Lewish]

Take a look at this website...

http://home.earthlink.net/~ojmsmith/indexd.html

You can get a copy of his patents and figure out what he is doing. It is very simple and very elegant. Very worth considering.

Let us know what you decide on.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://www.willett.ca/Combo.htm

etc. for more info