Hello everyone! Recently got a Shapeoko 5 Pro 4x4 along with the 65mm VFD kit.
Just got everything built and connected up and I’m having an issue with the VFD.
The machine itself seems to initialize and move just fine, but the VFD seems to not be turning on.
The red button light does turn on, but the display remains blank and the the spindle does not operate when sending commands through the MDI tab in Carbide Motion.
I was wondering if there is anyway to verify that the VFD is actually on. Should something appear on the display when turning on the power?
We are in Hokkaido, Japan so our electricity here is 100V 50Hz, but I was told by support that this should not be an issue, so I am guessing its something else.
Thank you! Hoping I’m doing something wrong and its not a faulty VFD.
Unfortunately, I think you’ll have to loop in Support and see about getting a replacement.
I just installed my VFD this evening. When plugged and turned on, I get a flashing 0.0 on the display. Once I issue a command through MDI, I see a non-flashing RPM.
I agree that support is the way to go. I don’t yet have the VFD - but I do remember reading that it won’t work if you have a GFCI on the circuit. Could that have something to do with it?
From what I just looked up, homes in Japan have a RCD at the supply panel so I’ll have to take a look at that later. Even then I would think that the VFD would still turn on when connected and not outputting anything. If there is a RCD installed, it didn’t trip since the rest of the house didn’t lose power.
I’ll try running the VFD from my battery/inverter to see if that makes a difference.
One other simple and quick check you could make is to be sure the power cord is plugged in all the way on the VFD side. When I got mine I had to jiggle and push the plug in at the same time, the fit was pretty snug. I had the same symptoms as you.
I connected it up to my Ecoflow Delta Pro and it started right up! I did some test cuts with the battery and everything was working just fine and the power draw was pretty low.
Now I need to figure out if the issue is due to the whole house RCD and how I can bypass it. I guess I will run it off the battery for now.
Thanks for the tips everyone!
I’ve only worked with my MPCNC before getting the 5 Pro so I’m sure I’ll be here pretty often.
So the VFD does work, it just takes like 10 minutes to start up once it has power. Maybe its due to running it at 100V? Maybe takes longer for the capacitors to charge up?
Runs just fine though once its on.
First test is done, feels like I can definitely push the machine a lot more. Was running it at 4mm DOC, 2.54mm step over and 3000mm/min feed rate at 18000rpm using fusion 360’s adaptive clearing toolpath with the #201 endmill. Spindle was only pulling ~120-150watts.
