The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - Jet VFD not working

Jerry Johansen

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Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Jul 19^th, 2020 at 11:56am

A club I belong to has a Jet 1640 lathe that the VFD quit functioning. The person that was working to get this repaired died and the job has fallen to me.

I called Jet last week and waited for more than 45 minutes on hold. Finally gave up and left my number for them to call me back. No return call has been made.

Do any of you know what part number we need to order?

Is it reasonable to program the VFD ourselves or should we pay extra to have it arrive programmed?

Any thoughts on general cost of replacement?

Thanks in advance for your guidance and assistance.

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,998 Wilton California USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #1 - Jul 19^th, 2020 at 1:46pm I think to get the help you want, you need to bring us up to speed by starting at the beginning of the story. What went wrong? (why do you think it's the VFD) What has been done to try and fix your issue?
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Jim Selby Junior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 28 jacksonville Florida USA	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #2 - Jul 19^th, 2020 at 2:35pm Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or This seems to be pretty comprehensive and should get you jeaded in the right direction.
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Dwight Rutherford Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 468 Roseville California USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #3 - Jul 19^th, 2020 at 3:19pm I thought Jet lathes came with a 5 year warranty. Is your 1640 older?
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Jerry Johansen

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #4 - Jul 19^th, 2020 at 10:14pm

Thanks for the replies.
Ed, I'll try to start at the beginning and include Dwight's question.

The lathe is at least 10 years old. A few months ago (January I believe - but I am in the mountains skiing at that time) it began to have problems starting. You could spin the head stock and it would eventually take off.
Problems got progressively worse until it would not start no matter what was tried.

At this time we are trying to find the price of a VFD - both ways - programmed or unprogrammed. A cursory look at the jet site seems to indicate at least $700.

I'm seeing a brand new 1640 for about $1600 (on sale) so we want to be careful with our money. However, with the virus out there, we have not had a meeting since February and our regular income is drastically reduced.

Hope those particulars can provide you enough information to help us.

Thanks again.

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Dwight Rutherford

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #5 - Jul 19^th, 2020 at 10:29pm

My Jet 1642 with the Delta S-1 inverter died about 5 years ago. I was faced with the same cost from Jet at the time. Was able to buy a used S-1 on E-Bay for less than $200. Found another Jet 1642 that a club member had and copied the codes from his lathe to program my VFD. Works like a charm.
Perhaps you can find a used inverter for your 1640 and do as I did.
P.S. Jet was unwilling to share the codes with me.

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« Last Edit: Jul 19^th, 2020 at 10:30pm by Dwight Rutherford »

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robo_hippy WR Addict Offline Posts: 3,638 Eugene, OR USA	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #6 - Jul 20^th, 2020 at 11:53am You may be able to by new for much less than you can buy from Jet. Getting it programmed is another matter, though some have done it, but not me... robo hippy
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Ed Weber

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #7 - Jul 20^th, 2020 at 1:04pm

It may not be the inverter, it could be something like the speed adjustment knob or the start/stop switch. These can be easily checked if you have some electronics knowledge.
If not comfortable with checking yourself, you might take the head-stock to a shop to have it properly checked before you start blindly swapping out parts.

Just something to think about

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robo_hippy

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #8 - Jul 21^st, 2020 at 10:55am

Like Ed said... The on/off switches, and the speed control knobs are far more likely to go than the converter. Been there, done that. If you take it into a shop, you can remove the motor first, as I don't think it is necessary for those electrical people to trace all their paths. The Jet would be lighter than my old PM head stock was....

robo hippy

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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,998 Wilton California USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #9 - Jul 21^st, 2020 at 5:01pm Jerry, if you could let us know what the issue ends up being it wold be helpful to many members here. Thanks
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Jerry Johansen Full Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 78 Milan Illinois USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #10 - Jul 21^st, 2020 at 7:39pm Thanks all for the replies. We continue to search for a cost effective solution. Another member is an electrician and she did some preliminary diagnosis. Just not sure where the problem is. I'll keep everyone posted.
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Ed Weber

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #11 - Jul 22^nd, 2020 at 10:23am

From what I've seen, the parts with a mechanical component, the on/off switch, the forward/reverse switch and the speed control dial are the first to go.
A VFD is typically set and never touched unless there is a problem.
The parts I mentioned above get "used & abused" so to speak. There is regular wear and tear upon these parts and with a mechanical element to their function, this can easily result in an electrical issue as they wear.

IMO the easiest/least expensive way is to remove the three switches, clean them (electrical contact cleaner), check their function and replace. Even if they don't end up being the cause of the issue at hand. Once you get the problem sorted out, all your components will be clean and ready to go.

Good Luck

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Paul Haus

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Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement?
Reply #12 - Jul 22^nd, 2020 at 5:21pm

From the description noted about starting issues, I'd look into the on-off switch first. They do go bad and it starts out with occasionally cycling the switch a couple of times then will continue to get worse.
Get the switch only online as it's easy to replace. You can check out the switch with an ohm meter so it can be done.
My lathe is about 10 years old, and the switch had gone bad in the past. Replaced it and everything has been fine since.

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Jerry Johansen Full Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 78 Milan Illinois USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #13 - Jul 31^st, 2020 at 6:32pm Update from a member: I don't believe the switches are the problem. The lathe will start and run for a short time then the vfd drive trips on an overcurrent fault.
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,998 Wilton California USA Gender:	Re: Jet VFD not working - replacement? Reply #14 - Jul 31^st, 2020 at 9:05pm Jerry Johansen wrote on Jul 31^st, 2020 at 6:32pm: then the vfd drive trips on an overcurrent fault. I would have to guess from where I'm sitting that it would be the speed control dial. Thanks for keeping us informed, always like a good mystery.
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