I am leasing a manufacturing space that has one of these leftover from the previous tenant:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/spindle-inverter-1!5kw-vfd-nospindle


It operates a ventilation fan on the ceiling. We have no idea how to use it nor does the building owner. I got it running for maybe 5 seconds by pushing a bunch of buttons, but then it shuts down or gives a "dL" error. Does anyone know how it works and could give some instruction?

7/3/2014 11:34:22 AM

Maybe test the IGBT and see if its shorted? I don't know about these drives, this is why I stick with ABB.

[Edited on July 3, 2014 at 11:46 AM. Reason : do you need VFD? you could replace with soft start if you have a tight budget. ]

7/3/2014 11:44:41 AM

I have no idea what any of those letters mean.

7/3/2014 12:14:47 PM

you probably want to call someone

7/3/2014 12:15:39 PM

just call the guy.

7/3/2014 1:02:50 PM

7/3/2014 1:54:02 PM

^ Thanks. I watched that yesterday... and still don't really get it and how it interacts with the fan. Also the error message appears to be a short circuit error - but I can't actually find that documented. Found the manual and it is gibberish to me. The inverter is always on and doesn't have an off switch - has an internal fan that is constantly running.

We have an electrician coming out in a couple weeks, I guess I will pick his brain.

7/3/2014 2:28:14 PM

your basic electrician probably doesn't know enough (or anything) about VFD troubleshooting and programming

7/3/2014 6:25:47 PM

who should I call then?

7/3/2014 8:39:34 PM

ask your electrician first, they might, then I'd try someone like Schneider

7/4/2014 10:22:50 AM

does your space have 3 phase power?

Track where that spindle inverter is fed from, and find and mark its breaker, then lock that bitch out.

Then you can unhook the fan, get data from the fan motor, and get the electrician to test the fan for short circuits. It may simply be a cheaper 3 phase motor on the fan, with this used to run it in a building that lacked 3 phase power.

7/4/2014 7:52:27 PM

If it runs for a few seconds then shorts, that sounds like an impedance mismatch. If you change the display to hz mode only, what does it show when it gives the error?

Try setting it to a lower frequency, then pressing start again.

Note: this is what I would try as someone who doesn't care if things catch on fire, but I have no direct knowledge it will work.

7/5/2014 6:34:43 PM

Captain Obvious says this is probably the reason the previous owner left it there.

Though I'd like to know if you get it up and running as well.

7/7/2014 9:21:37 AM

Quote :

"does your space have 3 phase power? Track where that spindle inverter is fed from, and find and mark its breaker, then lock that bitch out. Then you can unhook the fan, get data from the fan motor, and get the electrician to test the fan for short circuits. It may simply be a cheaper 3 phase motor on the fan, with this used to run it in a building that lacked 3 phase power."

Yes, we have 3 phase power. We have 3 breaker panels, we've switched every breaker off in each and the thing still runs.

Quote :

"If it runs for a few seconds then shorts, that sounds like an impedance mismatch. If you change the display to hz mode only, what does it show when it gives the error? Try setting it to a lower frequency, then pressing start again. Note: this is what I would try as someone who doesn't care if things catch on fire, but I have no direct knowledge it will work."

It gives the "dL" after running for a few seconds, and then each subsequent startup dives the "dL" error message instantly. Regardless of what mode it is displaying.




I'm sure we'll learn at least something about it once we get an electrician out here and maybe make some calls.

7/8/2014 2:35:17 PM

if its not on your meter just pull that shit out and put a regular motor on that bitch

7/8/2014 3:16:29 PM

Quote :

"Also, if I set the RPM to a high speed it trips the VFD to error code "dl" which means: 1. Check whether connection wire of the motor has got short circuit. 2. Check whether the insulation of the output wires is good 3. Send it for repair. So, if I set to say 20000rpm, the VFD starts to increase the Freq and the spindle sound starts to increase in pitch (still not spinning), and then all of a sudden the VFD switches to error "dl" and everything stops. I'm pretty sure the spindle is at fault, but wanted to get any insights from the rest of you before we look at trying to get a replacement, or opening it up to see what's happening inside. "

http://www.woodworkforums.com/archive/index.php/t-173689.html

7/9/2014 12:22:10 AM

^Nice. Thx

7/9/2014 10:33:46 AM

Got in touch with the old tenant, they are a metal working company. He said the inverter is a piece of junk and I should just directly wire the fan. He said it was a little to intense for him to run full speed, so he installed the inverter. He is going to come by with his notes on running the thing and help us with a basic setup for now. Super awesome of him.

7/9/2014 12:13:51 PM

Removed the inverter.

If anybody is interested in it, make an offer:

HY01D523B Variable Frequency Drive Inverter VFD 220V 1.5KW 7A

10/10/2014 2:04:45 PM