[RE-wrenches] Retrofit variable speed drive to old well pump?
Ray Walters
ray at solarray.com
Sun Dec 11 03:39:40 EST 2016
Hey Dan;
If this just problem just started, I'm with Drake, you could have a=20
premature cell failure. I also agree with Allan, 2 wire pumps are=20
certainly problematic on inverters. Many well service folks don't even=20
install them because they don't last near as long as 3 wire pumps, so=20
your customer may end up needing to replace the pump soon anyway.
We've used the Franklin Sub Drive with a 1.5 Hp Pump that would start on=20
an SW 4024, but not on an Outback VFX3524. Worked well, no call backs. =20
I'm not sure if they will work with a 2 wire pump though.
Before you take that long trip, have the customer check individual=20
battery voltages while the pump is running.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 12/10/2016 3:43 PM, drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org wrote:
> Have you checked the condition of the batteries. Unless the L-16s are=20
> Rolls or East Penn, it might be about time for some cells to be going=20
> bad.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>
> To:
> "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Cc:
>
> Sent:
> Sat, 10 Dec 2016 10:39:30 -0700
> Subject:
> Re: [RE-wrenches] Retrofit variable speed drive to old well pump?
>
>
> Michael; Battery bank voltage at 75% SOC is around 24.7v, so it's
> in the ballpark and the battery bank has only about 3 years on it
> (8 x L-16) and not much abuse.
>
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructor=E2=84=A2 for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers=E2=84=A2
> 970.672.4342
>
>
> On Sat, Dec 10, 2016 at 10:34 AM, Shasta Daiku
> <mjmorningstar at gmail.com <mailto:mjmorningstar at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> What is the battery voltage when the client says that SOC is %75?
>
> VFD driven pumps are three phase. There are single phase =E2=80=
=9Csoft
> start=E2=80=9D 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
> <mailto: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=E2=84=A2 for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers=E2=84=A2
> 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=E2=84=A2 for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers=E2=
=84=A2
> 970.672.4342
>
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