Discussion:
36 Volt Charger Question

Just bought a 36 volt Toyota lift. The used one came with a Workhorse Series 3 charger setup 480 volt 3 phase.
I have 208 Single Phase available.
1. Can this unit be rewired for 208 Single?
2. Can I purchase a good 208 Single phase charger? If so please recommend.
Our use is one hour a day and we have 12-20 hours available to charge between uses. Three phase is available i the building but nowhere near where we would site charger. Single phase is available right at charge station.

thank you,
BlueberryBob
  • Posted 24 Feb 2018 04:42
  • Modified 24 Feb 2018 04:42 by poster
  • By blueberrybob
  • joined 24 Feb'18 - 5 messages
  • Washington, United States
Showing items 1 - 13 of 13 results.
Look into a 15 hp rotary phase converter this will convert your single phase to three phase, then you would just need to match the internal charger settings. I run my 3 phase lathe at home with one, mine is a 5 hp and I paid around 475. A 15hp with digital controls for the resistive load of the charger is around 1700 from American Rotary Phase Converters.
  • Posted 2 Jul 2018 07:20
  • By jeremy_s
  • joined 28 Mar'08 - 205 messages
  • California, United States
yes armando_g, this is why we do not suggest these kind of things :o/
if dangerous we just dont do it, safety first my friend ;o)
  • Posted 25 Jun 2018 23:44
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
hi is possible make 3 ph in 1 ph only problem is you lose amp in the battery 800 amp yo reduce in 450 amp istill charge you battery but slow charge just need to series the transformer in 2 lose one if have 3 transformer if only have 2 just conet one in 208 jumper is xxxx dangerous
may provoke fire or damage the charger
  • Posted 25 Jun 2018 15:17
  • By armando_g
  • joined 11 May'18 - 48 messages
  • California, United States
OK. Thank you. Will balance the cost of pulling 3 phase to the charge location vs purchasing a large 1 Phase charger. The single phase chargers look to max out at about 25% - 50% of the available charge amps as 3 phase.
Side note:
Our old fork lift, which is 48 volt, has been on a 120 volt charger for 10-12 years and those batteries have been fine but finally giving out. Not sure of the amps on that charger, but likely only 20-30 amps output.
  • Posted 28 Feb 2018 02:05
  • By blueberrybob
  • joined 24 Feb'18 - 5 messages
  • Washington, United States
This is a 3 phase charger and will NOT operate on single phase. As with almost all chargers, you can move to jumpers to allow it to match the incoming voltage in the building but no matter what you do it will not operate on single phase.
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 23:55
  • By duodeluxe
  • joined 11 Feb'05 - 923 messages
  • United States
duodeluxe
have you tried looking on their website?
i am looking at their sales page with links to technical manuals for series 3 workhorse and they do have single phase options on them i believe from what i'm seeing.
just google applied energy workhorse series 3 , it comes up first link in the search for me ;o)
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 17:30
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,691 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
We have 3 phase in part of the building pretty far from the best charger location. We have single phase sub panel right at location.

Charger is a Applied Energy Workhorse Series 3.
If I can post or PM photos of the inside panel diagram...I can send that.
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 02:56
  • By blueberrybob
  • joined 24 Feb'18 - 5 messages
  • Washington, United States
Your initial post said that you didn't have 3 phase power? Please clarify.
What is the make and model # of the charger that you have?
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 02:47
  • By duodeluxe
  • joined 11 Feb'05 - 923 messages
  • United States
duodeluxe
I have photos of the wiring panel inside the door of the charger. Is it possible to post photos on this forum?
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 01:27
  • By blueberrybob
  • joined 24 Feb'18 - 5 messages
  • Washington, United States
Sorry about the 208 vs 220 volt issue....We have 208 3 phase and 220 volt 3 phase available.
  • Posted 27 Feb 2018 01:25
  • By blueberrybob
  • joined 24 Feb'18 - 5 messages
  • Washington, United States
There is no such voltage as 208 single phase. That is a 3 phase voltage.
If you do have single phase then it is either 220 or 240. You can not rewire a 3 phase charger to work on single phase.
You will need to purchase a single phase charger. They are harder to come by but if you call a battery shop they should have one and will probably offer you some kind of trade.
  • Posted 25 Feb 2018 23:22
  • By duodeluxe
  • joined 11 Feb'05 - 923 messages
  • United States
duodeluxe
on the charger data plate you should see the input voltage stated in this format 208/240/480. If so you can have the charger rewired to single phase - if you don't know what you are doing have someone in the battery/charger business do it for you.

sometimes this information is stated on the inside of the charger cabinet door.
  • Posted 24 Feb 2018 23:29
  • Modified 24 Feb 2018 23:31 by poster
  • By johnr_j
  • joined 3 Jun'06 - 1,452 messages
  • Georgia, United States
You cannot use a three phase charger on single phase unless it is made for both. If the charger is built for both it would be stated on the data plate. You can purchase used single phase chargers. In our area the single phase units are few and far between.
  • Posted 24 Feb 2018 05:54
  • By BREWSKI
  • joined 10 Jan'12 - 1,699 messages
  • Nebraska, United States

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