Single Phase to 3 Phase for Battery Charger

I have a heavy duty three phase battery charger for my forklift, but I only have single phase power available. The charger is 3PH 208/240/440V about 20/18/9 amp input. My power is 120/240V 200 amp.

I was told I "may be able" to connect the 3 inputs to the charger (2 of the 110/120V legs to each of 2 of the leads and 1 lead to the other leg). I have heard this may be "possible" on a resistive load (stove, heater, etc.), but would probably require more on transformer equipment (battery charger, welder, etc.). The charger does have indicator lights, meter, taper back charge rate sensor, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

I wouldn't bet on that. Even for a battery charger, a polyphase rectifier is designed for the conduction angles and current distribution that you get with 3 phase power. Unbalancing it will greatly increase ripple and diode currents to get the same output. An inverter as is used for machine tools might work, but it might be cheaper to sell the 3 phase charger and buy a single phase charger.

Regards

cww

Check out single to 3-phase converters at phase-a-matic.com, also available
from surpluscenter.com

Regards,
Robert D. Wagner, P.E.

Have you solved this problem? I just purchased an electric forklift with a 3phase charge and realized I only had a 1-phase outlet. Will have to buy a different charger unless I can find an alternate solution.

Perhaps you could find a surplus or cast off
1 to 3 phase VFD and try that?

Regards

cww