1.  Know who you are buying from.
GENTEC American Rotary was established in 1991 and has consistently led the industry in innovation and design.  The company is listed with Dun & Bradstreet, is an active member of the Better Business Bureau, and strictly adheres to Truth in Advertising, ethics, and privacy standards.  We are also recognized by Ebay as a Gold Level PowerSeller, sustain 100% positive feedback, and maintain a Square Trade Seal membership, which acts as a third party customer protection advocate.  We are proud to serve our industry with 24/7 toll free technical support and complete dedication to providing outstanding products and customer service. 

2.  (TEFC, ODP) stock motors vs. American Rotary's custom Soft-Start generator. 
Manufactured exclusively by Baldor Electric in the USA, our phase converter generators outperform and outlast any of the stock TEFC or ODP motors commonly used in lower quality phase converters.  The engineers at GENTEC American Rotary worked with the engineers at Baldor for over a year to design a custom generator that reduced the inrush current on start-up so drastically (83% reduction...a stock motor has 600% more inrush current!) that the GENTEC/Baldor generator was granted a Soft Start rating.  Our generator design is proprietary and is only available through GENTEC/American Rotary.

8TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) motors are simply stock motors and though they have shielded bearings and sealed windings, they are loud and run hot while robbing energy from the rotor to continually cool themselves - thus reducing the obtainable voltage balance range and lifespan of the motor.  Because TEFC motors run hot, they are especially at risk when dust and/or other debris collects on the external cooling fins causing the motor to further overheat.  In addition, these motors are designed to run loads attached to its shaft - creating built in torque at low rpms which causes undesirably high inrush current ( 6 to 7 times the full load current of the motor).  Some companies that still use stock motors remove the shaft for liability reasons, but its detrimental effects on the system remain.  TEFC motors are seldom used by phase converter manufacturers because of their inferior performance.  

8ODP (Open Drip Proof) motors are also general purpose stock motors and although they are quieter and extremely efficient at cooling themselves, they generally offer little protection to the bearings and windings.  Similar to TEFCs, they are designed to operate loads attached to their shafts.  These motors also experience high torque at low rpms and consequently, very high inrush current.  Some companies that still use stock motors remove the shaft for liability reasons, but its detrimental effects on the system remain.  ODP motors are still preferred to TEFC motors for use in phase converter applications although their use in typical shop settings is limited.

8GENTEC American Rotary's custom phase converter generator draws from both the superior cooling of an ODP motor, and some of the strong points of a TEFC motor - such as shielded bearings and sealed windings.  Our generator is manufactured without a shaft and uses almost all of its capability for providing a superior voltage balance...not cooling.  

3.  The truth about "Made in the USA" claims.
"Made in the USA" claims usually mean the product is assembled in the USA.  It doesn't mean the components or the motors are manufactured in the USA.  Leeson, Westinghouse, Weg, Reliance, General Electric  and other motor manufacturers are manufacturing most of their TEFC and ODP motors in China.  American Rotary's generators are custom manufactured 100% in the United States by Baldor Electric - among the world’s largest and most well-respected motor manufacturers.

4.  How loud will the converter be?    (listen to each converter in the ad!)
Our converters are designed to be quiet.  Phase converters that are well-balanced with high quality domestic generators are generally quieter than cheaper, totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC), or imported versions.  Our customers constantly report that they are amazed at how quiet our converters actually are.  If you would like to listen to any of our converters at idle or under load, please call our technical support line toll free at 1-888-743-6832.  Please click here for more information about how American Rotary virtually eliminates operating noise levels.

5.  How are the components mounted inside the panel?
Avoid any electronic product that has any components - especially capacitors (usually silver or black cylinder-shaped parts inside the panel) - that are mounted with banding of any kind. Banding (tension mounting) causes damage to the outside of the capacitor by weakening the casing, which eventually leads to leaking and ultimately, to failure.  Banding is a quick and inexpensive way to mount capacitors, but severely shortens their life.  American Rotary utilizes 100% stress-free mounts on all components. 

6.  Make sure that the company can prove the voltage balances they claim under load.
The load range is very important when verifying voltage balance claims.  We have tested nearly every phase converter available and have found that voltage balance claims are often overstated.  CNC converters should have at most a +/- 5% voltage from at least 0 - 50% full current load. Heavy-Duty units should have at most a +/-10% voltage from at least 0 - 50% full current load.  Do not ever run a CNC machine on a converter that is not balanced within +/-5% unless specified by the manufacturer.  Some phase converter companies claim a 1% or 2% voltage balance...This may be true but only for a very limited operating condition and likely will not exist for your application - or when a load is applied to your equipment.  American Rotary balances all CNC units to better than +/-5% over a very large load range.  In addition, our custom Baldor generators are wound with ISR magnet wire which makes them immune to current spikes common in CNC equipment.

7.  Make sure the motor or generator is shaftless.
In addition to performance issues, an exposed rotating shaft left on a motor is a well-known safety hazard.  If you are considering a company that still uses stock motors and prefer the shaft to be left on, an insured company will have a disclaimer for you to sign.  Most companies that use stock or other electric motors cut the shaft off in-house after purchasing them from the manufacturer.  Any stock motor that is drop shipped from a motor distributor will have a shaft and will not be properly wired for a phase converter application.  American Rotary's custom phase converter generators are manufactured by Baldor without exposed rotating shafts.  

8.  Make sure that test results are available for the unit you purchase.
American Rotary performance tests every converter under load before shipment - The results are available for your review. This is absolutely the only way to verify proper voltage balance for your application.  Some companies advertise more than one motor manufacturer, or more than one type (TEFC, ODP, FG, etc.) of motor, to go with their phase converter panel.  However, different brands and different types of motors balance differently.  Ask for a copy of the specific voltages and test results for each manufacturer and whether the specific results are available for the unit you purchase.

9.  Make sure that the company offers at least a one year warranty.
And...get it in writing!  Most claims will occur during the first few uses of any converter.  Our units are professionally foam molded for shipping which virtually eliminates shipping claims and impact damage to the electronics.  It is important to verify what timeline the company will follow to fix your problem if you have one....Do you have to send the unit back for repairs?  If they are going to send you parts or a replacement, how long will it take to get?  The motor manufacturer may have service centers, but what if something is wrong with the phase converter panel?  Who pays shipping? etc....  American Rotary offers a full 2-year warranty on Idler manufacture defects.  This is covered by Baldor.  5 years on control panel manufacture defects, and lifetime on the rotor of the idler.  We have thousands of certified service/repair centers around the world, immediate service, and free 24/7 toll free technical support.

10.  Make sure you check the feedback of the company you are buying from. 
Look for whether the feedbacks a seller has received are from buyers or sellers and then see what they have bought or sold. It may not be a related product - or it might be where they buy the parts for the product they make...  American Rotary is listed with D&B, is a member of the Better Business Bureau, is a Square Trade Seal member, a Gold Level PowerSeller, and has 24/7 toll free technical support.  Our customers can be sure that we are absolutely committed to100% customer satisfaction!