[RE-wrenches] two VFX3524's and a Franklin 3hp sub pump

[R Ray Walters]

I've run a 3 Hp pump on a pair of Outback inverters, but it's not a done deal. As the pumps age, they start getting stickier (read more start up current needed to get them going) and wells often have silt which builds up in the pipe and pump, adding to the start up surge.
I recently had a system with a one HP pump, that ran for years on an SW4024, but when we went to grid tie with an Outback, it overloaded. The cure was a fancy controller from Franklin that operates a regular submersible pump as a constant pressure pump with no start up surge.
Then you'll find out how good your battery bank is, as a 3 HP pump will pull the battery voltage down rapidly. I'd have the Generac set to fire up at a higher than normal voltage, well before the inverters cut out.
Too bad its a Generac.

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com
Solar Engineer




On Jun 15, 2010, at 12:24 PM, Chris Worcester wrote:

> Hello offgrid Wrenches,
> I just inherited an off grid system with one VFX3524 inverter running the home loads, and a 17kW Guardian Generac they use for charging (through an X-240 back into the inverter) & to run their Franklin 3hp 240 VAC well pump, S. F. max amp 17.0 ( rated on its controller)
> This is a really convoluted system as they have another 120/240 VAC Transformer to have the inverter talk to the 240 volt signal the gen set needs to see. Yikes.
> So I am proposing to add a second inverter if it can run the well pump and eliminate the extra transformer. This will also reduce gen set run time in half while battery charging, a big plus with the nice 24V Hawker battery bank, 1020 AH at the 6 hour rate.
> There aren’t any other unusual large AC loads in the home, just the fridge, washer, computer, and such. LPG for cooking, water heating, clothes dryer.
> Thanks in advance for all ideas here!
>  
> Sincerely,
> 
> Chris Worcester
> Solar Wind Works
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer
> Phone: 530-582-4503
> Fax: 530-582-4603
> www.solarwindworks.com
> chris at solarwindworks.com
> "Proven Energy Solutions"
>  
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