Is there an easy way to change output from 220 to 440V on the MEP804B

[peapvp]

I swapped the 6,5,4 and 1,7- 2,8 - 3,9 together in the past to try to get the motor to run on the 220V and when I jumped the relays in the back of the machine the motor would work but......

But……….. then what?
The overload tripped after a few seconds?

 

[peapvp]

@Rik a Bridgeport Mill voltage conversion is not exactly rocket science, especially going from high voltage to low voltage.

after reading and responding to your last post, I checked your old posts and then saw the generator start issue you had back in early 2023 were it turned out that your ability to read wiring diagrams was limited.

Apparently you got the Genset start issue fixed since your question is now on how to switch operate your reconnection board.

In your particular case, I would not even contemplate trying to hot wire the reconnection board for apparent reasons.

 

[Rik]

@Rik a Bridgeport Mill voltage conversion is not exactly rocket science, especially going from high voltage to low voltage.

after reading and responding to your last post, I checked your old posts and then saw the generator start issue you had back in early 2023 were it turned out that your ability to read wiring diagrams was limited.

Apparently you got the Genset start issue fixed since your question is now on how to switch operate your reconnection board.

In your particular case, I would not even contemplate trying to hot wire the reconnection board for apparent reasons.

I’m certainly not an electrician. Basic wiring is not a problem and I can trace out a wiring diagram. Next time I am at my shop I’ll locate T1 & T2 and look for the wires.

Thanks

 

[peapvp]

I’m certainly not an electrician. Basic wiring is not a problem and I can trace out a wiring diagram. Next time I am at my shop I’ll locate T1 & T2 and look for the wires.

Thanks

@Rik Just as a reminder:

The original overload protection are the heat coil operated versions:



they are screwed into the overload protector ( spindle overload )



When you remove the element they look like this:




The currently installed elements are for 460V and are Clark #2427

those have to be replaced with the 230V versions Clark 2435

there is a three pack available on eBay

Note:

the current ratings for fuses and overloads are usually 50% at 460V then the ratings at 230V

the rule of thumb is double voltage cuts current in half.

so you may have to change the fuses currently protecting T1 and T2 with double the current rating currently installed if they blow when everything is turned on and T1 and T2 are reconnected to 230V

the same goes for the 3 main disconnect fuses F1 F2 F3
From 10A to 20A

 

[Rik]

@Rik Just as a reminder:

The original overload protection are the heat coil operated versions:

View attachment 949202

they are screwed into the overload protector ( spindle overload )

View attachment 949203

When you remove the element they look like this:

View attachment 949204
View attachment 949205

The currently installed elements are for 460V and are Clark #2427

those have to be replaced with the 230V versions Clark 2435

there is a three pack available on eBay

Note:

the current ratings for fuses and overloads are usually 50% at 460V then the ratings at 230V

the rule of thumb is double voltage cuts current in half.

so you may have to change the fuses currently protecting T1 and T2 with double the current rating currently installed if they blow when everything is turned on and T1 and T2 are reconnected to 230V

the same goes for the 3 main disconnect fuses F1 F2 F3
From 10A to 20A

Thanks

 

[peapvp]

For the interested reader as an aside:

Voltage reconfigurations of electrical equipment is commonly the reason for great enjoyment and amusement to the professional community when those conversions are executed by the broad public.

Every conversion from high voltage to low voltage without increasing the Fuse / Breaker / Overload devices will result in all those original fuses to blow, breakers and overloads to trip even though every motor and transformer was properly reconfigured….

that’s the time the professional community kicks back, lights a good cigar and pours a nice bourbon
Cheers!

 

[Rik]

For the interested reader as an aside:

Voltage reconfigurations of electrical equipment is commonly the reason for great enjoyment and amusement to the professional community when those conversions are executed by the broad public.

Every conversion from high voltage to low voltage without increasing the Fuse / Breaker / Overload devices will result in all those original fuses to blow, breakers and overloads to trip even though every motor and transformer was properly reconfigured….

that’s the time the professional community kicks back, lights a good cigar and pours a nice bourbon
Cheers!

Let’s not gloat as many people have successfully rewired an electric motor from 220 to 440 and vice versa, It’s not rocket science and the amazing thing is, the manufacturer even tells us how to do it On the Motor cover of all places.

I appreciate your help and feedback though.

 

[peapvp]

Let’s not gloat as many people have successfully rewired an electric motor from 220 to 440 and vice versa, It’s not rocket science and the amazing thing is, the manufacturer even tells us how to do it On the Motor cover of all places.

I appreciate your help and feedback though.

 

[peapvp]

@Rik you are very welcome and please don’t hesitate to ask,
Sometimes I have to add some humor into this, to appease and amuse the Steelsoldier Superiors like Guy ( @Guyfang ) and other experts like @2Pbfeet and our problem child @Scoobyshep who has by now fully regrown his eyebrows

 

[Guyfang]

Rik,
I am not laughing at you. I was just remembering a few of the spectacular things I have had blow up in my face.

 

[Rik]

@Rik you are very welcome and please don’t hesitate to ask,
Sometimes I have to add some humor into this, to appease and amuse the Steelsoldier Superiors like Guy ( @Guyfang ) and other experts like @2Pbfeet and our problem child @Scoobyshep who has by now fully regrown his eyebrows

Little backstory. The mill was (when I purchased it) wired to a 220 with a stinger leg. I moved locations and the power in the new building was 480 with a transformer and the "local there" electrician said, let's just wire everything on 440. What the hell I said as it works it works and I don't care. The overload protectors were already wired for 220 so the 440 was never going to be an issue as the amperage 1/2's so going back to 220 should not present any problems.

Since then, I've moved to a far more remote location and thus the Genset. I wired all the other machines back to 220 and with this particular piece of equipment, I found that there's more to this piece than just change the wiring at the motor. Hence, the situation I have brought forward here. I have no idea as to which exact wires I need to change on the T1 & T2 at the moments but I will study the diagram and make changes if I feel I can accomplish them. The mill processes 440VAC and 12VDC all on the same power input as the feed motors are for some bizarre reason DC motors rather than AC motors. There's a lot going on in the wiring of this particular machine.

Thanks!

 

[peapvp]

Little backstory. The mill was (when I purchased it) wired to a 220 with a stinger leg. I moved locations and the power in the new building was 480 with a transformer and the "local there" electrician said, let's just wire everything on 440. What the hell I said as it works it works and I don't care. The overload protectors were already wired for 220 so the 440 was never going to be an issue as the amperage 1/2's so going back to 220 should not present any problems.

Since then, I've moved to a far more remote location and thus the Genset. I wired all the other machines back to 220 and with this particular piece of equipment, I found that there's more to this piece than just change the wiring at the motor. Hence, the situation I have brought forward here. I have no idea as to which exact wires I need to change on the T1 & T2 at the moments but I will study the diagram and make changes if I feel I can accomplish them. The mill processes 440VAC and 12VDC all on the same power input as the feed motors are for some bizarre reason DC motors rather than AC motors. There's a lot going on in the wiring of this particular machine.

Thanks!

Rik, these two transformers are single phase transformers in the standard machine as shown in the wiring diagram.

The mill with three axis CNC control has T2 as a three phase transformer

It would be helpful to see a picture of the control box on the machine, like the picture I posted from the CNC versions manual in post #24 above.

Did the electrician change the three fuses of the disconnect when he converted the machine to 440?

If they are 10Amps then he changed them, as they are 20 Amps for 220/230

Everything on this machine gets its power through these two transformers except for the spindle motor

 

[Rik]

Rik, these two transformers are single phase transformers in the standard machine as shown in the wiring diagram.

The mill with three axis CNC control has T2 as a three phase transformer

It would be helpful to see a picture of the control box on the machine, like the picture I posted from the CNC versions manual in post #24 above.

Did the electrician change the three fuses of the disconnect when he converted the machine to 440?

If they are 10Amps then he changed them, as they are 20 Amps for 220/230

Everything on this machine gets its power through these two transformers except for the spindle motor

I do not think he changed any fuses. Like I stated it was originally set up on 220 when I bought it so I really don't think it would have been necessary for a 440 setup. Reverse the scenario's then I agree, those would need to be looked at.

Thanks

 

[peapvp]

I do not think he changed any fuses. Like I stated it was originally set up on 220 when I bought it so I really don't think it would have been necessary for a 440 setup. Reverse the scenario's then I agree, those would need to be looked at.

Thanks

Rik, ok as to fuses, now do you have the version with all the three axis operated by motors (DC or AC) for x, y, z axis or is only the x axis (table left right direction) operated by a by a motor?

 

[Rik]

Rik, ok as to fuses, now do you have the version with all the three axis operated by motors (DC or AC) for x, y, z axis or is only the x axis (table left right direction) operated by a by a motor?

I'll check when I get back to it one day this week

 

[peapvp]

I'll check when I get back to it one day this week

Rik, thanks, the best thing you can do is to post pictures, lots of pictures.
Thanks

 

[Scoobyshep]

@Rik you are very welcome and please don’t hesitate to ask,
Sometimes I have to add some humor into this, to appease and amuse the Steelsoldier Superiors like Guy ( @Guyfang ) and other experts like @2Pbfeet and our problem child @Scoobyshep who has by now fully regrown his eyebrows

Yea. I'm about due for an eyebrow trimming. You'd be amazed how much money you can save from a reasonably sized arc flash