Powermatic 4224 spindle rotation in reverse order???

Question

HELP !!! I'm new to woodturning. After a few lessons and attending a woodturning symposium I got hooked. One of my lessons was on a Powermatic

4224. A great tool compared to the old 11" Rockwell that I have been using, so I ordered the Powermatic 4224. I finally received my brand new lathe, but to my dismay there were two problems.

When I turn on the lathe, the spindle of the lathe turns counter clockwise, but the Inverter's LED Status Display shows the lathe's spindle turning in a reverse status. When I switch the Fwd/Rev Switch into the opposite direction, the spindle of the lathe turns clockwise, but the Inverter's LED Status Display shows the lathe's spindle turning in a forward status.

I think the spindle rotation direction is faulty. When the spindle is in a counter-clock rotation the Inverter LED Status Display should show the lathe is in a forward Status. Would you consider this an accurate statement? I don't know how serious a problem this could be, but considering the cost of this lathe I would like to have it working correctly.

The Speed Indicator Sensor that displays the RPM on the headstock was loose, resulting in a zero LED reading on the headstock.

Through trail and error I adjusted the sensor to a clearance of about 1/16th of an inch. I now get an RPM reading on the LED, but it would be nice to know the correct gage clearance.

I have been told by the Technician that I can use the lathe in this conditions, but I'm anxious to correct these problems. I'm patiently awaiting a Technician to come and look at my lathe. As this is my 4th week waiting, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions from you to help me resolve these problems.

Thank you very much, Alex

Gerald Ross · Accepted Answer

-snip That's the problem with those off brand machines. Ya shudda stuck with  Harbor Fright.

Richard Stapley · Answer

You will have a 3 Phase Motor driven from the Inverter with these Motors you can change the Rotation by changing any two wires over.

Should be worth a try, you cannot do any damage just swap two wires round either at the Inverter or at the Motor.

RVS

Alika Lincoln · Answer

Richard, thank you for your response. I did try switching the Fwd and Rev  wires in the Inverter but it did not work.  I will have to be patient and  wait for a technician to come and make the correction. Thank you for your  help

Leo Lichtman · Answer

"Alika Lincoln"  wrote:  I did try switching the Fwd and Rev  wires in the  Inverter but it did not work.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ No.  Switch any two (of the three) motor wires.

Alika Lincoln · Answer

Leo, thank you for your follow up. Switching the two wires at the motor did  the trick. I should have followed  Richard suggestion and tried both ways.  Much thanks to both of you. Alika Lincoln

Bill Rubenstein · Answer

There will be a fourth motor wire -- the ground.  Leave it alone but, as  Leo says, switch any two of the three live wires either in the motor  electrical box or at the vfd. Bill Leo Lichtman wrote:

Alika Lincoln · Answer

Bill, thank you for your input. I'm pleased to say my lathe's spindle  direction correlates with the status direction on the inverter. Thanks to  this great woodturning-newsgroup and it's awesome participants. Thank you.....Alika

Powermatic 4224 spindle rotation in reverse order???

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