The latest update on the rigmarole concerning Monster's Inverter Transplant.
In my search for a new inverter I was offered one firm's address on this forum and another via GMC. Mr Google also came up with another handful and I sent off 6 or 8 e-mails asking for help...well squealing like a big girl on a bad hair day really!
I only recieved 3 answers, and one of those (DrivesDirect, sorry Andy) acknowledged receipt but then disappeared back into the ether, never to be heard from again....And then there were two!
Power Drive offered to supply a suitable inverter but they would first require a technical drawing of the machine so that they could pre-programme the inverter and send it together with a wiring diagram for me to wrestle with. And then there was one
Steven Haydock's were by far the most helpful, coming up with 3 options to get me back on the road without too much geekery on my part.
Option 1...The machine could be put back to standard spec but this would mean 'buying' a rather expensive man.
Option 2...They could supply an all-new box of tricks with lathe controls on its face and only needing 4 wires to be connected to the motor by me (the original, headstock mounted, controls would then be inoperable).
Option 3...Similar to Option 2 but with a second, smaller box pre-wired to the box of tricks and carrying remote lathe controls.
Unfortunately all of these options turned out to be significantly more expensive.... if markedly quicker... than Axminster's quote of a little over £400, headstock returned to me up and running but with a delay of some 3 months (This delay, it turns out, is because Axm take orders for machinery which are not then forwarded from the factory until they have a full a shipping container. A damn nuisance to me but understandable when you look at Axminster's prices!).
After sleeping on the decision I decided to take the coward's way out and told Axminster to get on with ordering the part.
This morning I had a minor brainwave and after rooting around in the darkest corners of the garage found up all the bits of my old M950 and used one of Mr Baldricks famously cunning plans to bolt its bed, piggy back fashion atop Monster's corpse. I am now officially back up and turning again.
This story goes on and on like a technical version of East Enders.
Bye for now
Brian
