Rotary Phase Converter (Create 3-phase power from a single phase source)

[nhengineer]

Rob,

The transformer thing will likely work, but would it not have to be 1:2 in order to input 230volts and get two lots of 230 volts (center tapped) 180 degrees out of phase?

Answer = Yes. Sorry.

Also, each time an idea (opinion) has been postulated on this thread, I've gone and done whatever research I could, and in every case IN AUSTRALIA the cost has not been justifiable.

Why? A scrapper's 3-phase idler motor I would not expect to be expensive. The transformer would be another story perhaps but what would be the cost of refitting your equipment with single phase motors?

Now to throw another consideration into the fray, since the acquisition of an idler motor is mandatory in all instances, if one were to forcibly drive an idler motor with say, a diesel motor, (motors from old banged up utes are not so hard to get), would it produce all three phases?

I do not think so but I'm not 100% sure. I think you would need an external source of power. My converter design depends on a two hot wire input in order to function. The third output leg does not conduct electricity that I can detect on my Amp Probe. I found this LINK (click on the word 'link') to be quite informative.

David Lee
(NHEngineer)