[RE-wrenches] Soft Start Modules for Well and Sewage Pumps?
Jeff Clearwater
jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com
Mon Jul 29 11:49:39 EDT 2019
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for the reference. I still am at an impasse. I have an
unhappy customer and want to proceed cautiously - Tech support at Radian
will only promise 1/2hp per 4 KW radian module - so only 1.5 HP for an
8048 - It's a 2 HP but as you know HP is not a definitive determinant -
field experience shows we can do more but it depends on the situation. I
asked Outback engineers if they could work with me in taking field data
like inrush etc to determine more exactly. This particular sewage
macerator has high head.
I called the control panel manufacturer for the sewage pump (attached)
and they said they couldn't add soft start to a single phase unit.
Internet research shows you can't do much with single phase with the
standard VFD (variable frequency drive) but there are other electronic
approaches but I'm not sure they will work with the existing control panel.
Anyone else with experience that might be relevant? Thanks!
And thanks again Chris I will make that call - Thanks!
Jeff
Chris Schaefer wrote on 7/29/19 8:39 AM:
> I've been following this post with great interest. I was looking at an
> off-grid project a couple years back that was being run entirely by
> large diesel generators and had two massive AC units where the LRA was
> 104 Amps. I found a company that makes what amounts to a soft start. I
> don't recall the engineer/owners name but he was very knowledgeable.
> His number is 813-601-0947 and web site is gen-pro.biz
> <http://gen-pro.biz>. To finish the client never made the switch from
> generator to solar so I can't say if these units work. Hope this
> provides another option.
>
> Sincerely,
> Christopher
>
> /229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
> //5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
> //www.solarandwindfx.com <http://www.solarandwindfx.com/> ~ E-mail:
> chris at solarandwindfx.com <mailto:chris at solarandwindfx.com>/
>
> /
> /
>
> Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said,
> "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
> willing to work and give to those who would not."
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 26, 2019 at 4:15 PM Jeff Clearwater
> <jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>>
> wrote:
>
> Hey Jerry,
>
> I think the issue is capacitor start motors can't handle VFDs.
> but there are other approaches to soft start - still learning.
> Thanks for the reference!
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff
>
> Jerry Shafer wrote on 7/26/19 12:59 PM:
>
>> Wrenches
>> I have quite a few freq drives on single phase, the controller
>> came from ABB, the pic attached is reference only, it was for a
>> AC chiller grid connected not off grid but the controller works
>> either way
>> Jerry
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 26, 2019, 12:47 PM Jeff Clearwater
>> <jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com
>> <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Chris!
>>
>> Unfortunately I'm finding that unless you build an integrated
>> control - motor combo that can soft start like Franklin did -
>> the majority of single phase motors can't use soft start.
>> That is probably a 3-phase motor in that pump that they have
>> an inverter for in the controls - or they used a shaded pole
>> or spit capacitor single phase motor which can use soft start
>> - at least that is what my initial research and phone call to
>> the pump control company has thus far revealed.
>>
>> Apparently you can play with the voltage-amperage tradeoffs
>> when you have the 3 magnetic fields interaction - single
>> phase doesn't allow you much room to wiggle.
>>
>> I do see single phase soft-starts on the market - still
>> researching but that's my initial findings.
>>
>> Anyone know differently?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>>
>> chris at OasisMontana.com <mailto:chris at OasisMontana.com> wrote
>> on 7/26/19 9:27 AM:
>>
>>> Here at the Oasis home/office, we have a Goulds 3 hp 240VAC
>>> soft start pump (#18GS30, w/ Franklin motor HS09970 and
>>> #3AS30 Aquavar Solo controller); it’s been running off of my
>>> 2011 Radian GS8048 since 2016, when I had to drill a new
>>> well (the water table is dropping) and pump from about 300
>>> ft. depth.I have 3500 ft. of drip irrigation, a big garden
>>> and the usual domestic water loads.It’s worked flawlessly
>>> since its inception, and I cannot speak more highly of
>>> Goulds pumps.My first one lasted 23 years (it was a 1.5HP
>>> model).
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Chris Daum
>>>
>>> Oasis Montana Inc.
>>>
>>> 406-777-4309 or 4321
>>>
>>> 406-777-4309 fax
>>>
>>> www.oasismontana.com <http://www.oasismontana.com>
>>>
>>> *From:*RE-wrenches
>>> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> *On
>>> Behalf Of *Dana
>>> *Sent:* Friday, July 26, 2019 9:34 AM
>>> *To:* 'Jeff Clearwater' <jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>
>>> <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>; 'RE-wrenches'
>>> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Soft Start Modules for Well and
>>> Sewage Pumps?
>>>
>>> Yes I have used soft starts offgrid with SW & VFX for 15+
>>> years, in spite of doing load evaluations & others
>>> installing what ever they normally used. It has been a great
>>> rescue device. Well pump, 2 dish washers, booster pump, etc.
>>>
>>> Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc.
>>>
>>> *C - 208.721.7003 dana at solarwork.com
>>> <mailto:dana at solarwork.com>*
>>>
>>> Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374
>>>
>>> NABCEP # 051112-136 www.solarwork.com <http://www.solarwork.com>
>>>
>>> _"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" _
>>>
>>> *P*Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>>>
>>> *From:*RE-wrenches
>>> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>> *On
>>> Behalf Of *Jeff Clearwater
>>> *Sent:* Friday, July 26, 2019 8:04 AM
>>> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>>> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Soft Start Modules for Well and
>>> Sewage Pumps?
>>>
>>> Hey Wrenches,
>>>
>>> Anyone have success using soft-start modules on well and
>>> sewage pumps to lower the surge for off-grid inverters?
>>>
>>> The baby we are trying to tame is a 2 HP 15 amp, 53 LRA
>>> Omnivore Grinder Pump - LSG200 series - single phase 230 Vac.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>>
>>>
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>> Jeff Clearwater
>>> Village Power Design
>>> linkedin
>>> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clearwater-0622a312/>
>>> www.villagepowerdesign.com <http://www.villagepowerdesign.com>
>>> cell - 413-559-9763
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>>
>>> Jeff Clearwater wrote on 7/26/19 6:32 AM:
>>>
>>> *Thanks Ray and Jerry,
>>>
>>> Great to hear from you both with your years of combined
>>> experience :)*
>>>
>>> *So yes looking at the 5 sec has me switching back to a
>>> trusty Radian - _even then from what you are saying it
>>> may not work._*
>>>
>>> And you are right Ray - Outback is careful to rate the
>>> "overload capability" in KVA rather than KW due most
>>> likely to voltage sag of course.
>>>
>>> *So this 53 LRA 2 HP motor - if I can only trust the 5
>>> second (50 A) might not start - especially with other
>>> loads on the system?*
>>>
>>> *RADIAN SURGE RATINGS:*
>>>
>>> *Maximum Output Current*
>>> 1 ms peak 100 Amps AC at 240 VAC, 200 Amps AC at 120 VAC
>>> 100 ms RMS 70.7 Amps AC at 240 VAC
>>>
>>> *Overload Capability*
>>> 100 ms surge 16.97 kVa
>>> 5 seconds 12 kVa
>>> 30 minute 9 kVa
>>>
>>> *Other's experience with 2 HP sewage pump or well pump
>>> motors on a Radian?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Jeff*
>>>
>>>
>>> Ray wrote on 7/25/19 5:48 PM:
>>>
>>> I only look at the 5 sec and 30 sec surge ratings to
>>> get an idea what an inverter can really do in the
>>> real world. All those millisecond ratings/ in rush
>>> current specs won't get a pump or motor started, and
>>> will basically just get you into trouble. The reason
>>> they have those ratings in amps and not watts, is
>>> that the voltage craters during that 100mS surge.
>>>
>>> I can't tell you how many times we tried to start a
>>> pump, compressor, or large table saw, and the
>>> inverter just shut off, even though the "in rush
>>> current" was within the theoretical inverter
>>> capacity. Actual Wrench list testimonials are much
>>> more valuable than those arcane specs.
>>>
>>> Ray Walters
>>>
>>> Remote Solar
>>>
>>> 303 505-8760
>>>
>>> On 7/25/19 5:15 PM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
>>>
>>> *Hey There Wrenches,*
>>>
>>> So be advised that after a little research the
>>> SW dual stack will NOT double the surge ratings
>>> of a single SW.
>>>
>>> But that brings me to my second question:
>>> *
>>> What inverter surge rating should one refer to
>>> when looking at maximum Inrush or LRA - 1ms?
>>> 100ms? 1 sec?*
>>>
>>> *Your engineering wisdom welcomed!*
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jeff Clearwater wrote on 7/23/19 8:27 PM:
>>>
>>> Thanks for the tip! I'll check the firmware.
>>>
>>> Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote on 7/22/19
>>> 9:11 AM:
>>>
>>> Hi Jeff,
>>>
>>> I am not going to guess if this will
>>> work, it should. I use XW's because
>>> they start anything I have come across.
>>>
>>> If you do this, make sure but SW's have
>>> the latest and same firmware. There were
>>> problems with stacked SW's early on in
>>> their development.
>>>
>>> **Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar**
>>>
>>> **"we go where powerlines don't"**
>>>
>>> **http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/**
>>>
>>> **e-mail offgridsolar at sti.net
>>> <mailto:offgridsolar at sti.net>**
>>>
>>> **text 209 813 0060**
>>>
>>> On Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:26:07 -0700, Jeff
>>> Clearwater
>>> <jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>
>>> <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey Esteemed Wrenches,
>>>
>>> So I recently built a power trailer
>>> with a single 4 KW (4048) Schneider
>>> SW for a client with a moderate
>>> cabin lifestyle.
>>>
>>> But he lives on a high hill and even
>>> though his 2 HP Macerator is only
>>> rated at 15 amps continuous that
>>> baby starts up with a whopping kick
>>> - probably close to or at it's 53
>>> Amps Locked Rotor rating.
>>>
>>> *The SW has the following surge
>>> capability:*
>>>
>>> *SW 4048 Rated @ 240 Volts:*
>>> Continuous - 15.2 Amps 3700 Watts
>>> 30 Minutes - 18.3 Amps 4400 Watts
>>> 5 Secs - 29.2 Amps 7000 Watts
>>> Max (100ms?) - 41 Amps - 9840 Watts
>>>
>>> Can I be confidant that 2 stacked
>>> SWs will start this baby?
>>>
>>> *Any experience with similar
>>> macerators - or simply educated guesses?
>>> *
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> **Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar**
>>>
>>> **"we go where powerlines don't"**
>>>
>>> **http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/**
>>>
>>> **e-mail offgridsolar at sti.net
>>> <mailto:offgridsolar at sti.net>**
>>>
>>> **text 209 813 0060**
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>> --
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>> Jeff Clearwater
>>> Village Power Design
>>> linkedin
>>> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clearwater-0622a312/>
>>> www.villagepowerdesign.com <http://www.villagepowerdesign.com>
>>> cell - 413-559-9763
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>>
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> --
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> Chris Schaefer’s
> <http:www.solarandwindfx.com>
> /Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
> //5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
> //www.solarandwindfx.com <http://www.solarandwindfx.com> ~ E-mail:
> chris at solarandwindfx.com <mailto:chris at solarandwindfx.com>/
>
> /
> /
>
> Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said,
> "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
> willing to work and give to those who would not."
>
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