5 HP SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

hHUEY

I am wanting to run a 5 hp 3 ph. 460 volt submersible motor with a VFD and Solar array. My question is, For this, I would just use 20, 250 watt, 30 v panels wired in a serious?  Max Load Amps is approx. 9, full load is 8.  Also, would my vfd need to just be 460 single input, and 460 3 phase out?  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave Angelini

Need alot more info. Like on or off grid? If you are solar powered, do you need to back this up with a 3 phase generator?  Do you have a model pump in mind. The more info, the better  the answer. Are you in N America.  Welcome to this forum hHuey! 

BB.

It has been a few years since anyone has asked about a solar powered 3 phase pump... I don't have any known good examples of solar to 3 phase AC inverters--But here is one I have found that will run a 4 kWatt/5 HP 3 phase pump...

https://www.inverter.com/4kw-three-phase-solar-pump-inverter

Note that this company recommends a 1.5 x 4 kWatt solar array (derating of solar panels and controller) for full pump power at mid day (my guess).

I would contact the inverter company and see what they offer.

-Bill

Dave Angelini

Hi Bill,  Hope you are doing well!  Could you please ID a location of the OP ?  Tell you later. --Dave

BB.

Hi Dave,

The OP's IP Address is around the Dallas Tx area...

Take care,
-Bill

Dave Angelini

 Thanks Bill,  I had a similar client that I worked up a cluster of XW's to power farm water pumping. 
There were 5 wells and pumping was to be one at a time. Near the end he changed his mind and wanted them all to run at once and have a walk-in freezer... Definitely for the Utility. He was in Cali. Nice guy but in the utility realm and far from offgrid costwise.  Almost happy hour! What can I get you? Cheers!

hHUEY

the pump is for a livestock well.  it takes a 5 hp pump to delivery the water from a 1,000 ft. water level.  my calculations were 30 300w panels/ 30 v.  hooked in series of 3 strings parallel.  Into 230v in  460 Volt out 5 hp VFD.  It then would be backed up by a 230v generator.  I would like to go 460 volt on the pump motor to reduce the wire size in half.  Does this design work.   The well is in Southern New Mexico 

Dave Angelini

How are you converting the solar? Anything can be made to work if money is not an object?  What is the rough cost to bring in Utility? Have you asked a local pump guy on deep wells? Also going to higher voltage to save wire size may not be worth the complexity down the road when the pump/VFD fails.

There are at least a 1000 high voltage VFD's on Amazon alone. Is there a solution in the store here?  I doubt it! 

One way is a 240 to 480 Step-up Transformer

To get from 240-volt 1-phase power to 480-volt 3-phase power, you need a step-up transformer that is manufactured to the proper specifications to handle this task. These are available online or at electrical supply stores.

Grundfos Grundfos 96405811     

https://www.mrosupply.com/electric-motors/5027058_96405811_grundfos/

Grundfos Submersible Motor, 3-Wire, 5 hp, 460 VAC, 8.65 A, 60 Hz, 3 ph, 3460 to 3470 rpm, Service Factor: 1.15, Thrust Bearing, Insulation Class: Class F, 304 Stainless Steel, 4 in Dia

Good luck !