The Siren Board

Hey ARS, so Im most likeyl getting an ACA banshee over the weekend, in AMAZING condition, but the only problem, its 3 phase. So, does anyone know or have a phase converter that i could buy for cheap, or someone selling one for cheap. Thanks, Nick

NKTBOLT wrote:Hey ARS, so Im most likeyl getting an ACA banshee over the weekend, in AMAZING condition, but the only problem, its 3 phase. So, does anyone know or have a phase converter that i could buy for cheap, or someone selling one for cheap. Thanks, Nick

Horsepower on the motor? I would be careful and make sure you're not overdrawing your house's supply, those motor are hungry beasts, especially the 15 hp ones.

I use the Temco static phase converters they work well on my model 5at.

NKTBOLT wrote:Hey ARS, so Im most likeyl getting an ACA banshee over the weekend, in AMAZING condition, but the only problem, its 3 phase. So, does anyone know or have a phase converter that i could buy for cheap, or someone selling one for cheap. Thanks, Nick

Your best bet will be with a static phase converter. Most banshees are 15Hp, so make sure to get a 15hp phase converter. Also, make sure it can handle the amp draw, otherwise it will fry the phase converter AND your fuse box.

Good luck!

GreenblottF

Static phase converters are also alot cheaper.

Just a note, be careful with static converters. They don't actually convert anything. They essentially are just a start circuit. They will start and run a three phase motor fine but only at about 2/3 it's rated HP. So keep runs short and make shure your motor does not overheat. Also, I would not expect the start capacitors in the unit to last as long as usual due to the lengthy wind up inherent in sirens.

Just a note, be careful with static converters. They don't actually convert anything. They essentially are just a start circuit. They will start and run a three phase motor fine but only at about 2/3 it's rated HP

I always wondered if it's even 2/3 of rated HP since, like you said, it only starts the motor. Once running, the motor only runs on 2 of it's 3 sets of windings.

I'm pretty sure static phase converters aren't the way to go. As mentioned above they intend up running on 2 of the 3 legs of power. A rotorary phase converter will probably be a safer bet but it will cost a lot more. Correct me if I'm wrong but it also requires the extra 2/3 of the original HP to power one. American Rotorary has a nice chart on their site that helps. Hope this helps.

It's actually not that difficult to build a rotary converter from scratch. Second to that I would say the cheapest option that would work ok and require minimal effort would be to buy a rotary panel and find a used three phase motor for the idler. It would not produce ideal three phase, but much better than a static and cheaper than a comercial rotary.

You're pretty much gonna have to have a dedicated service from the utility for an ACA siren. They pull so much current that you'd pop all breakers in your house (assuming this is where you're intending to to this). Those capacitor start motors are current hungry and one cannot simply use standard household current to start one as with the older Federal sirens. As for the static converter, I've always heard static is not the way to go for something that draws a heavy current. Correct me if I'm wrong.