On Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:54:15 -0500, Rich Webb
wrote:

On Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:45:06 -0800 (PST), klem kedidelhopper
wrote:

My friend has a 40HP 3 phase motor

What *kind* of motor? If it's a typical squirrel-cage induction motor,
your friend is SOL.

Not at all. But exciting it and regulating the output is a bit tricky.
Common as wind power systems.

?-)