Excellent Not Canadian But Free Shipping???

I ordered a motor last week from Automation Direct out of Georgia USA. I was highly skeptical about the "free shipping" mentioned on the web site. Of course I was expecting to get stung with import duties or some other charges. After all, free shipping means "free in the lower 48 states shipping." I emailed them and asked for details. They replied quickly and told me shipping was free and they would be the broker as well. Who the heck ships a 40 lb motor to Canada for free? At least I had something in writing.

I bought a 2 horsepower, 2 pole, 3 phase TEFC with C face and foot mount. It's Automation Direct's house brand Ironhorse. I am pretty sure @Icho- has this same brand and said it was running okay for him. Landed at my door with exchange rate, GST and $0 freight and brokerage it was CA$213. Substantially less than the cheapest new Chinese motor with the same specs I could source here in Canada. I even talked to guys asking $250 to $300 for used motors that looked like they fell off the truck. What is it with three phase motors? They should be cheaper than single phase motors right?



Well this one made it here in three days, pretty well packaged, box inside a box with lots of bubble wrap and only had the plastic shaft protector cracked. Spun it on a VFD at work and it's going to be fine. At least I have the motor and VFD now. Next month I should have the steel in for laser cutting.


Dan

 

Saved the link, company I dealt with for a controller refused to ship to Canada because someone had distribution rights and a 400% mark-up to protect

 

About to make the 2x72 grinder on your blog Dan. Would you suggest stepping up to a 2 hp or would a 1 be good enough? I have 220 in my shop. Would a two phase be best or is a single phase fine? Still not sure if I'm going to spend the money right away on a vfd
Thanks

 

If you use 220 bolts and single doped with pulleys then if you upgrade to a 3phase the power is right there

 

I would recommend 2 horsepower. If you do, you won't be asking for more power very often. If I was stuck with 120 V only, I'd go 1 horsepower. Also, the number of wheels and other resistances like countershafts take the horsepower away from the belt. So 2 hp makes sense if you are going to use some stepped pulley on a countershaft.

Dan

 

Ok ya so three phase gets up and going at ease and 2 hp has all the " ball" that's will be need to overcome all the loss throw friction in the system. Thanks guys

 

A three phase motor requires a VFD to convert single phase as in typical home electricity to three phase. (Unless you live in an industrial area where three phase power as coming into your building.)
The VFD offers variable speed which is a nice convenience and some would argue a requirement for small wheel attachments. If you are stuck with single phase at your place, you are likely going to have a single speed motor, either 1725 RPM or 3450 RPM. So far there are not many good ways of changing the speed of an induction motor. So a work-around is to use a belt and some different sizes of sheaves(pulleys), a shaft, bearings etc. to get some different belt speeds happening. The friction will reduce the available horsepower going to the belt, so having that extra power will be helpful. There is room for the introduction of vibration to sneak into the system with more moving parts too.

A direct drive three phase motor driven by a VFD is your best option. There is little lost in friction and you've got the speed and the power you want going to the belt. I would take a 1 horsepower direct drive on a VFD over a 2 horsepower fixed speed with belt and counter-shaft. But I understand that sometimes you gotta work within your budget and/or use the parts you have.

Cheers,

Dan

 

Thanks Dan. Ya I understand vfd, pulleys and all. I'm a millwright but when it comes to electrical and motors I am clueless haha. So thanks! now I can educatedlly buy what I need. Your prints on this grinder are awesome. In industry there's always the 3 phase around and never thought it would be different for home haha
I might just wait and order motor and vfd together and do it right.

 

This company has package deals, I know a few I contacted refused to sell to Canadians because someone here had exclusive rights but you never know until you try

http://dealerselectric.com/motor-drive-packages.asp

 

I checked with Dealers. The shipping to Canada was problematic. As in, I could go to New Jersey and pick it up.

 

The benefit of living in Canada it seems. One item I bought the taxes and customs fees were more than the shipping and in the end the Government made more off the product than the manufacturer.

 

Found a guy on kijiji with vfds and motor but just sold all his 240 stuff.. always late to the sale it seems. I asked if he has a set u in 120 so we will see, if not going to order one off the site that you posted Dan. So 1-2 hp 3 phase with a vfd and max rpm 1800 with the vfd or would you want the 3600rpm.
Sorry for the 1000 questions. I hate having to upgrade when I find it's not as good as it can be.. and you have used yours lots and know what works best haha

 

Hi Parker,

I would go with a 3600 RPM and a 4" drive wheel. The belt speeds will get you into the range the abrasive manufacturers recommend.

For a more indepth look at motors and belt speed I have this offering.
http://dcknives.blogspot.ca/p/grinder-motors.html
Of course it's always in progress, so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

Dan

 

Thanks again your blog has been very helpful. I forgot there was a motor section. I'll check it out! I found a vfd on amazon shipped for 180 so think I'll get it

 

My motor came three days from ordering it and well packaged. 230 to my door
Automation direct proved great again.
Thanks Dan for the info

 

Good to hear! We can thank @Icho-

 

Thanks @Icho- very happy with the motor and company