Hobart Buffalo Chopper model 84142

[Steve H]

By looking at the switch. I would bypass it. And do as you suggested. The 120 vac one I posted is much cheaper. But that's up to you. That Hobart is pretty old.
I would remove the old switch gear inside it. And use the enclosure to hook up the new leads. Just nut the wires and tape them. The VFD will give you a bonus of reversing the motor if it jams. Might even be able to add a remote speed control with a start/stop switch if you want to get fancy. Though, I'd need to see the wiring diagram to see if you can do that. Or, a foot switch. Which could be very handy.

 

[maynard rowley]

Thanks Steve.

I think I'd like to leave the internal switch gear in place. The built in switch has a mechanical safety on it so that the unit can't be turned on without the bowl cover locked in place. If I remove the switch gear I will lose that safety function. I don't want to imagine the damage this thing could do if it was turned on without that cover in place....

 

[Steve H]

Thanks Steve.

I think I'd like to leave the internal switch gear in place. The built in switch has a mechanical safety on it so that the unit can't be turned on without the bowl cover locked in place. If I remove the switch gear I will lose that safety function. I don't want to imagine the damage this thing could do if it was turned on without that cover in place....

That's fine. Just leave the switch on. And start and stop it with the VFD. VFD's don't play well with having a switch downstream from them. They tend to fault out. Not a big deal. But just so you know. The drive can be reset from the drive itself. Or just by powering the drive down and plugging back in. Or, you could get fancy. And have the safety switch tied into the drive. The options are endless. I didn't realize there was a safety on it. Though it makes sence.
And with the safety switch. That tells me that there is probably a relay in there. I'd like to find a schemetic of this. Either way. Yeah. Leave that alone.

 

[maynard rowley]

That's fine. Just leave the switch on. And start and stop it with the VFD. VFD's don't play well with having a switch downstream from them. They tend to fault out. Not a big deal. But just so you know. The drive can be reset from the drive itself. Or just by powering the drive down and plugging back in. Or, you could get fancy. And have the safety switch tied into the drive. The options are endless. I didn't realize there was a safety on it. Though it makes sence.

So I'd have to turn the Hobart switch on, then power on with the VFD, then turn off with the VFD, turn off the Hobart switch when done so I can remove the cover?

Maybe I should go back to the digital phase converter idea and not bother with a VFD? I really just want to be able to plug this thing into a power source and use it as it was intended....

 

[Steve H]

No. Just leave the switch on the hobart on all the time. And start and stop with the VFD. If you don't turn off the VFD. And open the cover. The hobart will shut down from the safety switch. I was just saying that the VFD might fault out if you turn off by the Hobart switch or opening the cover without turning off the VFD first. And if it does. Just reset it. No big deal. You can still turn off the VFD. And open the cover with no issues. And close the cover and start the VFD. If the cover is like my Champion juicer. Then it is only there so you can't start it without the part in place. Not something you are going to constantly open during use.

 

[maynard rowley]

No. Just leave the switch on the hobart on all the time. And start and stop with the VFD. If you don't turn off the VFD. And open the cover. The hobart will shut down from the safety switch. I was just saying that the VFD might fault out if you turn off by the Hobart switch or opening the cover without turning off the VFD first. And if it does. Just reset it. No big deal. You can still turn off the VFD. And open the cover with no issues. And close the cover and start the VFD. If the cover is like my Champion juicer. Then it is only there so you can't start it without the part in place. Not something you are going to constantly open during use.

The Hobart can't be left on all the time. The safety isn't electronic, it's mechanical. The switch can't be turned to the on position unless the cover is in place. It is physically locked out. And once the switch is turned to on the cover can't be removed as it is physically locked in place. There's a linkage system underneath that makes it all work. Totally mechanical, no electric switches or anything.

Anyway, that really doesn't matter, just changes how I'll need to power it up/down if I don't want to fault the VFD. Good to know that I can just reset it.

Thank you very much for the help BTW. It is appreciated.

 

[JckDanls 07]

it's all mechanical.

I like it...

 

[indaswamp]

Love this Forum! Ask-and it shall be answered! The consortium of knowledge boggles the mind!

 

[maynard rowley]

I was just about to pull the trigger on a VFD on Friday but thought I'd check eBay for a 110v motor one last time. As luck would have it, one was just listed. I put an offer in and the seller accepted. It cost me more than the VFD would have but in the end I think it'll be less hassle. I'm hoping I can sell the 3ph motor to recoup some of the added cost.

Anyway, if I ever get this thing going and make something with it I will post a picture or video.

 

[chopsaw]

Hope it all works out .