Author Topic: wind to VFD to water pump  (Read 2955 times)

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(unknown)

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wind to VFD to water pump
« on: July 30, 2005, 05:06:03 AM »
I built a test stand to determine if it was practical for a wind turbine to provide power to a common centrifugal type down hole water pump through a VFD.  Most of what I did was to determine if VFD can handle input from the generator. If this sound interesting to anyone let me know.


Justin  

« Last Edit: July 30, 2005, 05:06:03 AM by (unknown) »

witapple

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2005, 11:12:16 PM »
Pardon my ignorance but what is a VFD?  I am guessing Variable Frequency Device?
« Last Edit: July 29, 2005, 11:12:16 PM by (unknown) »

aogden

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2005, 02:20:41 AM »
Justin, I found this info on the Franklin website;

http://www.franklin-electric.com/CatalogSubmersible/ConstantPressureControllers.aspx

They offer a variable frequecy drive VFD for pumps under 1 HP single phase. They offer a VFD for 3 phase motors uncommon for residential use though. The limitation is with the >1 HP single phase motors that employ capacitor starting.

Regards, Adrian
« Last Edit: July 30, 2005, 02:20:41 AM by (unknown) »

drdongle

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2005, 05:04:43 AM »
Variable Frequency Drive
« Last Edit: July 30, 2005, 05:04:43 AM by (unknown) »

(unknown)

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2005, 10:00:07 AM »
Cool, It would be very easy to do with my setup.  I used 3 phase for everything.  The drive will be able to control the pump so that it will pump the max amount of water given the current power input.


Right now I am int the process of putting the generator on the tower.


Justin

« Last Edit: July 30, 2005, 10:00:07 AM by (unknown) »

cslarson

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2008, 11:46:29 PM »
I know this was posted a while ago, but I would be very interested in what you learned. There is also the Aerovironment USPC-5000 (and smaller USPC-2000) but it looks like it costs in the range of $5500! I have not found any competing products, but it looks like it is some specialized kind of VFD (voltage frequency drive, ac drive). I have no experience with these devices, but understand that they rectify ac->dc and then use pwm (pulse width modulation) to convert the dc back to ac at varying frequencies. I want to combine the output from a number of wind turbines (each 4m rotors) to power a large (5kw) standard water pump. Is it possible to access the dc (bus?) in the vfd directly?


I would very much appreciate hearing what you discovered.

Carl

« Last Edit: March 11, 2008, 11:46:29 PM by (unknown) »

(unknown)

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump/ VFD 1 phase loads
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2009, 08:23:33 PM »
Justin, in just the past few days I have been told by Apps Engnrg at several VFD mfrs that for 3 phase standard industrial VFD's:  input voltage can range over about 208 to 240 VAC; input frequency can range over 48 HZ to 120 HZ -- without derating the VFD.  I have not tried this myself -- but am about to do so.  Hope this helps.


I am new to this board.  I hope I am not duplicating info in another post.


Now, my question is:  how can I support standard single-phase US consumer loads 120VAC/1PH/60HZ(e.g., a microwave oven)?  Apps Engrng at the VFD mfrs have no advice / they have no experience with other than 3 phase motors on the output of their products.  They do confirm that, yes, a single-phase load connected between the VFD output phase/motor lead and the PE (Protective Earth) terminal of the VFD should see a voltage of 230/1.732 = 120 VAC.


Well, if I have to rig up a 230 to 120 VAC delta/wye transformer(s), with the VFD output connected to the primary and the single-phase loads to the secondaries -- the cost to do so will be  2 or 3 times the cost of the VFD.


Any help out there, please?  Thank you.

« Last Edit: September 02, 2009, 08:23:33 PM by (unknown) »

joestue

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Re: wind to VFD to water pump/ VFD 1 phase loads
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2009, 10:41:28 PM »
This is an old thread.....


It would be cheaper for you to buy an "inverter based" microwave, IIRC walmart has one for around $100, not only do they not care what frequency you give them but it should operate on dc as well. May take some modification if there is a 60hz tx in there to power the electronics though.


Problem is that not all VFD's have a 4th "leg" so they cannot pass any current from line to neutral, and naturally the ones that do are only rated to 33% (you would need a 5 hp vfd for a microwave in that case.)


This is single phase but it will run a microwave:

208:115,

$61

1.5KVA

http://cgi.ebay.com/SQUARE-D-Transformer-1-5KVA-208v-to-115v_W0QQitemZ170378492642QQcmdZViewItemQQpt
ZBI_Circuit_Breakers_Transformers?hash=item27ab597ae2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

« Last Edit: September 02, 2009, 10:41:28 PM by (unknown) »
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