Ray,
Yes, thus my qualification:"seems to be pretty bombproof".
Also though, a deatil I left out which would have a major longevity
impact on this tank shut-off/on set-up is that the pump supplying water to the
tank only comes on once a day (ala digital timer), thus the tank valve, seal,
float, rod, etc. are only cycled once/day. The daily water consumption draw
down is only about 15% of tank capacity, so we chose to pump water once a day.
I guess this scenario also acts as a safety for an event like the one you
described, months of pumping for naught do to failed float shaft.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
4291 Nelson St.
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530-284-7849/6544 fax
----- Original Message -----
From: R Ray Walters
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] two VFX3524's and a Franklin 3hp sub pump
Float valves too have been problematic. Seals wear and leak after several
years, and just a couple of months ago, we had the brass shaft that connects
the float to the valve break off. In this case the tank had an over flow that
went into the septic. So nothing was damaged by the over filling, but no one
knew that was happening either. We were called to troubleshoot a grid tie
system that wasn't running the meter backwards, then the well pump guy came
out, and then finally the plumber who had done the tank system. By then, the
pump had run 24/7 at 10 gpm for a couple of months of fresh clean well water
straight into the septic. Our customer's electric bill was in the hundreds of
dollars.
I wouldn't quite say they're bomb proof.
R. Walters
[email protected]
Solar Engineer
On Jun 16, 2010, at 10:32 PM, frenergy wrote:
Chris,
I've seen a bladder tank modulate the "shut-down" process in a
up-the-hill gravity feed tank when using a (IMO) more reliable float valve
rather than a float switch. Watts model number 1250 is an example of a toilet
tank method of stopping/starting flow to a tank. With the bladder tank and a
standard issue Sq D. pressure switch (in the vicinity of the wellhead) it seems
to be a pretty bomb -proof set-up.
Bill Battagin
Feather River Solar Electric
4291 Nelson St.
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530-284-7849/6544 fax
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Worcester
To: [email protected] ; 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] two VFX3524's and a Franklin 3hp sub pump
Great ideas on load management to save the DC/AC system sizing. I haven’t
spent time researching their need for this 3hp pump or age and all, but
definitely worth looking at that side. Since it does pump to the 3000g gravity
feed tank up the hill. What’s strange is there is still a bladder tank in the
garage, possibly decommissioned when they added the gravity system.
Sincerely,
Chris Worcester
Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Phone: 530-582-4503
Fax: 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com
[email protected]
"Proven Energy Solutions"
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Allan Sindelar
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:48 PM
To: [email protected]; RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] two VFX3524's and a Franklin 3hp sub pump
Chris,
We deal with deep wells routinely.
Recently we installed a GTWB system for a very enjoyable retired couple.
Their needs included the goat milker, sheep barn, two freezers and a fridge,
and irrigation well pump, with the system sized for continuous operation in the
event of a long-term (i.e. permanent) loss of the grid. This was on one acre in
the suburbs south of Albuquerque. We used an XW4548, as it was the only
battery-based, 120/240, single-inverter, grid-tie unit available currently.
As part of the normal load-reduction process, we determined that the 2hp
conventional well pump could be replaced with a 1hp soft-start SQ and have
adequate head and flow for their sprinklers. Changing out the pump way more
than paid for itself in the amount of inverter capacity we didn't need.
I would encourage you to look at both of these related issues carefully
as part of this situation: could a smaller pump meet the head and flow
requirements of this site, and is a soft-start pump available? Usually, if an
inverter or stack of them can't handle a big inductive load like a conventional
pump, it's because of the starting surge. I suspect a smaller soft-start pump
may be doable in your situation.
Allan
Allan Sindelar
[email protected]
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com
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
[email protected]
"Proven Energy Solutions"
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