Hi Guys,
As many of you know, I have just installed a VFD on my Bridgeport Mill. With the help of the members of this NG I was bale to get it up and running. My question to the group is, when not in use, do I disconnect the VFD from it's power supply? I soemtimes go a week or more without using the mill.
Thanks for the help.
Joe...
I'm not sure if it's necessary but I put fused disconnects on all 3 of the VFDs I'm using and switch the disconnect off when I'm done with the machine. We get power outages around fairly often and I'd just as soon not tempt fate and have a power spike fry the electronics or find one of the machines running when I get home from work or wake up in the morning.
Mike
Thanks Mike! I too think it's a good idea but I figured I'd ask those with more knowledge than I.
Thank again.
Joe..
I would shut it down when not in use. Chances are nothing will ever happen, but no sense in tempting fate! Greg
One thing on electronics. If you use it parts inside start to age and some heal themselves. If off, some parts idle while others degrade.
Capacitors, power type not AC type - power supply and electrolytic types dry out if off. If powered electrolytic keeps the cap healthy.
e.g. best to idle expensive HI Fi - than completely turn it off. Nowadays much of the electronics remains on while 'off' allowing a remote to switch on...
It becomes tougher when one doesn't know what is in the box.
Generally, if you use it several times a month or once a week - turning off is reasonable. Some idle time might be wanted if there is a planned long time - picket fence the power - Tuesdays I'll power it on. off at night.
Electronics is getting better, the caps are better but some are not in that case.
VFD - I would guess nominal on time a month would be enough.
Martin
aaa, joe, you've gotten some reasonable and some pretty silly answers. It is harmless to disconnect power to it but there is no reason to do so unless you anticipate lightning, etc. or unless (like the VFD in my wood lathe) it has a fan that runs all the time that power is applied. If all that stays energized is an LED display, just leave it on.
I've seen some that haven't been turned off for several years at a time with no apparent problems
Tom Miller
to switch on...
off is reasonable.
fence the power -
No doubt. I'm using a digital clock I scratch built in the early 70's. It is functional but I can see the supply has ripple in it - as the electrolytic are drying out.
In some machines / systems / even audio systems costing big bucks - the design is marginal and slight variances can cause issues.
Just d> I've seen some that haven't been turned off for several years at a time
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