Hi all,
I've been doing research on trying to build my own frequency converter using off the shelf parts. I'm currently considering doing the conversion as an AC-DC-AC. Here's how I proposed to do it, and I hope to receive feedback.
Background: I'm currently living in China, and I have some motors that need to run 24/7 (Austin Air HM400). Purchasing the Austin air is possible in China, but it would be 2.5x the price it is in the United States, and I cannot live in China without an air filter as many of us are being killed by the pollution. I'm hoping to find a way to do this cheaply and easily and then share the project with others who might also benefit.
Here is the link to the Austin Air HM400 owner's manual: https://www.sylvane.com/media/documents/products/Austin-Air-Healthmate-Owners-Manual.pdf
For my AC to DC conversion, I'm purchasing a Chinese ATX power supply (used in computers). The maximum wattage from my Austin Air HM400 is 170w, so I've chosen a 400 watt ATX power supply to start with. Essentially, what I'll do is cut off all the yellow line and black lines from the power supply and splice them together to create 12V and ground wires. The green load wire will be connected to ground to ensure the ATX power supply remains on all the time. There is a load requirement for these power supplies, but I don't know how to deal with it, so I won't plug it in unless it's plugged into one of my units. The advantage of this method is that it will already be wired for home use and the proper plug in Chinese homes.
The process for converting one of these ATX for use as a bench supply is shown in these guides: https://www.instructables.com/id/Encyclopedia-of-ATX-to-Bench-Power-Supply-Conversi/
The wires from the ATX power supply I will connect to a DC-AC inverter. This will be a basic inverter with a pure sine wave output (modified sine wave may cause heating issues with the electric motor, so I'll opt for the higher priced pure sine wave).
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2601...pebp=1434808159726&perid=0DQS5J7Z1P9EE213PRFR
I will crimp on the connectors to my 12V and ground lines and screw them onto this inverter. The inverter already has the proper plugs for the 110V 60Hz that I need, so the entire assembly will be placed into a project box enclosure.
****Here's where I need feedback****
First of all, any feedback on whether or not you believe this approach will work. The total cost for this is around $150 and is much cheaper than the options on the internet for a frequency converter, but I lack the experience to foresee issues with the design. Please let me know if there's something else I should do before hooking all this stuff up.
I've been doing research on trying to build my own frequency converter using off the shelf parts. I'm currently considering doing the conversion as an AC-DC-AC. Here's how I proposed to do it, and I hope to receive feedback.
Background: I'm currently living in China, and I have some motors that need to run 24/7 (Austin Air HM400). Purchasing the Austin air is possible in China, but it would be 2.5x the price it is in the United States, and I cannot live in China without an air filter as many of us are being killed by the pollution. I'm hoping to find a way to do this cheaply and easily and then share the project with others who might also benefit.
Here is the link to the Austin Air HM400 owner's manual: https://www.sylvane.com/media/documents/products/Austin-Air-Healthmate-Owners-Manual.pdf
For my AC to DC conversion, I'm purchasing a Chinese ATX power supply (used in computers). The maximum wattage from my Austin Air HM400 is 170w, so I've chosen a 400 watt ATX power supply to start with. Essentially, what I'll do is cut off all the yellow line and black lines from the power supply and splice them together to create 12V and ground wires. The green load wire will be connected to ground to ensure the ATX power supply remains on all the time. There is a load requirement for these power supplies, but I don't know how to deal with it, so I won't plug it in unless it's plugged into one of my units. The advantage of this method is that it will already be wired for home use and the proper plug in Chinese homes.
The process for converting one of these ATX for use as a bench supply is shown in these guides: https://www.instructables.com/id/Encyclopedia-of-ATX-to-Bench-Power-Supply-Conversi/
The wires from the ATX power supply I will connect to a DC-AC inverter. This will be a basic inverter with a pure sine wave output (modified sine wave may cause heating issues with the electric motor, so I'll opt for the higher priced pure sine wave).
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2601...pebp=1434808159726&perid=0DQS5J7Z1P9EE213PRFR
I will crimp on the connectors to my 12V and ground lines and screw them onto this inverter. The inverter already has the proper plugs for the 110V 60Hz that I need, so the entire assembly will be placed into a project box enclosure.
****Here's where I need feedback****
First of all, any feedback on whether or not you believe this approach will work. The total cost for this is around $150 and is much cheaper than the options on the internet for a frequency converter, but I lack the experience to foresee issues with the design. Please let me know if there's something else I should do before hooking all this stuff up.