Dana my 1/2 HP 240 volt pump draws about < 2 amps, which is maybe 3.3 amps if it is 120 volts. I wonder if the high volt drop is leaving your pump in locked rotor for a long time, in which case a soft start will not help. Perhaps a buck-boost transformer (about 150 watts) boosting 16% would get the pump started faster? Do the wire size and length for calculating volt drop. then use a 3.3 amp soft start.
On Fri, Feb 9, 2018 at 6:24 PM, <penobscotso...@midmaine.com> wrote: > Hi Dana, > We have been using Grundfos SQ-O 1/2 hp, 5 GPM (or they have a 10 GPM > model) soft start pumps for years, with great outcomes. We have sold 60 > or so over the years with no returns. > > Daryl > > > > > Hey all you solar wise guys, > > > > > > > > > > > > I am looking for a recommendation based on your experience, not just data > > sheets for a 120 volt-9.8 amp-1/2HP well pump soft starter. Every time > the > > well pump starts the SW4024 groans and the lights flicker. > > > > > > > > There are a lot of units that claim to soft start a ½ HP, but the reality > > is > > that they claim ½ HP but are limited to 3.3 amp+/- output. I asked how > > this > > is and was met with the usual, “gee gosh I am not sure.” I have one in > > hand > > now from ABB that is guilty of this claim. > > > > > > > > Some units claim to meet the spec but then you must limit the wire length > > to > > 30 meters. The well is 150’ from the house & 120 ft deep so a 270’ wire > > run > > with what the well guy threw in 18 years ago. VFW cable [multi strand > > cable] > > is a partial answer but not down in the well. > > > > Somewhere down the road the inverter & the well pump will get replaced > but > > for now it is working. The newer 3PH wild AC drives are amazing on a > > Radian > > Inverter. You cannot even tell the well is pumping till it has been for a > > while and the fans kick on. > > > > > > > > Suggestions & directions that have proven reliable for you? > > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > ---------------- > > > > Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc. > > > > C - 208.721.7003 d...@solarwork.com > > > > Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374 > > > > NABCEP # 051112-136 www.solarwork.biz > > <http://www.solarwork.biz> > > > > "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" > > > > P Please consider the environment before printing this email. > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > > List-Archive: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. > org/maillist.html > > > > List rules & etiquette: > > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > > > Check out or update participant bios: > > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. > org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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