[RE-wrenches] Retrofit variable speed drive to old well pump?

[Shasta Daiku]

What is the battery voltage when the client says that SOC is %75?

VFD driven pumps are three phase. There are single phase “soft start” controllers for pumps and motors designed for that application, but not for a two wire fed submersible pump. The pump, for mechanical reasons, not just electrical,  may may be resisting start up. 

Michael

> On Dec 10, 2016, at 9:11 AM, Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Bob; I checked the connections for corrosion, and the wire size looks like "the usual" for up here in this area, it's only about 100 feet and the usual well depth around here is 350 ft. Running stouter wire might be an option to consider...but that's a lot of digging. I'm just hoping VSD might be a quick and dirty solution.
> 
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Scotch Institute be
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for: 
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342 <tel:970.672.4342>
>  
> 
> On Sat, Dec 10, 2016 at 9:53 AM, RE Ellison <reellison at gmail.com <mailto:reellison at gmail.com>> wrote:
> Don't know about the variable speed but are the wires feeding the pump large enough for the distance?
> Sounds like it might be voltage starved because of a high resistance / bad connection or a long wire run and the need for a larger wire ?
> 
> Just a thought,
> Bob Ellison
> 
> On Dec 10, 2016, at 11:39 AM, Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com <mailto:danbob88 at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
>> Esteemed Wrenches;
>> 
>> I have a client in a very remote mountain location who is having trouble with his inverter starting his well pump when battery state of charge is below 75%. 24v system, Magnum inverter. 
>> 
>> It's a 2-wire pump, unknown age, model, horsepower, or well depth. It has always given him trouble, that's why he upgraded to 24v, and the situation is better, but not ideal yet. I don't think adding a hard start capacitor would help as there should be one inside the pump itself, though I suppose it could be blown.
>> 
>> Because of the distance and the rough road, it would be super expensive for a well company to come up there, pull the old pump and set a new, modern soft-start one.
>> 
>> Has anyone here had any experience with retrofitting variable speed drive units to an unknown pump? If so, what models have you tried and what do you prefer?
>> 
>> Thanks; 
>> 
>> Dan Fink
>> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
>> IREC Certified Instructor™ for: 
>> ~ PV Installation Professional
>> ~ Small Wind Installer
>> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
>> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
>> 970.672.4342 <tel:970.672.4342>
>>  
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