logbrog

Just bought a 2 post garage lift from local Ford dealer.

Motor is 3 phase, 3KW

only single phase down here on the farm!!

what are my options????

Converter or change to single phase motor, if so will I still be able to use existing switch/control box.

Please help to find least cost option

struv

convertors are expensive and if you change to a 240 motor youll need a big amp supply

Chelspeed

3 phase converters in google gives a number of options from about £300 upwards. Guess it depends on how much of a bragain the lift was.....

Based on the theory that every third house in the road is connected to alternate phases. My mechanical engineers view of three phase electrics says that an extension lead from each of your two next door neighbours and one from your own supply should give you a three phase supply. Note - this last comment is tongue in cheek and not a suggested soluton to your problem!

NeilA

If you really are on a farm... get a tractor mounted genny

Thats what we use - alright you have a tractor running (may only need it going whilst lifting/lowering), but think of all the other useful 3-phase stuff you could then buy!

We have an excellent mincer to deal with animals we have going into the freezer - just think of it a 95hp mincer

Oh yes, Chelspeed... that assumes that there actually are 3 phases.. only two make it as far as us

Tim-H

Converter or change to single phase motor, if so will I still be able to use existing switch/control box.?

If you have a resonable supply into your workshop a converter would work best, you could change to a single phase motor, but it will be big, most control panels have all the bits for 3 or single phase inside , its just a case of re-wiring it,
Have a good one
Tim
ps did the same thing off ebay :-)

David_Wallis

what make ramp?

I converted ours from 3phase to single phase.

You may struggle with the frame size on the motor though.

I doubt one of the invertors would work from what Ive seen of the way they start the motors.

David