Hi Don I’m pretty sure the only option for a vfd is a 3 phase motor on that pump. The advantage would be complete adjustability as to how fast/slow it starts.
Another option would be the Grundfos sq pump which is a soft start pump. It’s not going to be adjustable. But I’d like to know if there are soft start options for single phase 240vac motors. Jay Peltz power. > On Oct 15, 2020, at 12:42 PM, d...@energysolarnow.com wrote: > > > With help and a site visit from Adam of Enphase tech support this Ensemble > system was successfully brought through commissioning. We had to do a battery > black start after it discharged over the weekend. > However, functional testing brought up another issue-- in off grid mode the > well pump consistently kicks off the two Encharge3 batteries, presumably from > inrush current. This is a 3/4 Franklin pump that apparently lacks any > capacitor soft start. It is on a 20 amp 2-pole breaker. We measured the > operating current at something like 6 amps; the inrush current is likely a > multiple of that. The soft starters from Hyper Engineering recommended by > Enphase are made for HVAC units with more accessible wires for compressor and > fan. This well pump has only two wires. > Can anyone recommend a soft starter or variable frequency drive (VFD) starter > for a two-wire well pump? > > Thanks > Don Barch > Energy Solar > -------- Original Message -------- > > Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2020 18:12:39 -0700 > From: Louis Woofenden <lo...@woofenden.net> > To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Commissioning issues with Enphase Ensemble > Message-ID: <12123009-ea4a-ffdc-f927-8e0ac3891...@woofenden.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed" > > > Hi Don and Wrenches, > > I have commissioned four new Ensemble systems over the past two weeks. > All storage additions to existing PV systems with Enphase > microinverters. Although there are parts of the process that are a bit > clunky, we have not had the problems you mention. I followed the > instructions in the tech brief "Ensemble Commissioning via Installer > Toolkit 3.0," linked at > https://enphase.com/en-us/certification-support-program-guidelines > (direct link to the PDF is > https://enphase.com/sites/default/files/Tech%20Brief%20-%20Ensemble%20Commissioning%20via%20Installer%20Toolkit%203.0.pdf). > > My experience is that each of the four Enpower microgrid interconnection > devices we've installed started up in passthrough mode, so if input > breakers are on in the MID, backup loads have had power before > commissioning is completed, and power has remained on for those backup > loads even after we turned off the PV and ESS disconnects to wait for > utility PTO after doing commissioning and functional testing. > > It did take us some time to do the Envoy software update before > commissioning, and the system does require a second trip for functional > testing after the Encharge battery software updates have been done (up > to 12 hours). I haven't stuck on site for the Encharge/Enpower software > updates, but it looks like they are taking 4-6 hours for us, based on > percentage done by the time I've left the site (system sizes from 10.08 > kWh to 20.16 kWh). Yeah, it's a second trip. I've used the trip to meet > with electrical inspectors for these first systems. > > One "trick" I've used on the Envoy software update is that you once you > scan in the serial numbers of each Enpower & Encharge with the installer > toolkit and plug in the cell modem and wireless communications kit, the > installer toolkit will allow the Envoy software update to work, and you > can get it taken care of early in the day, while still hanging boxes, > running conduit, etc. > > I would agree that there are definitely parts of the new installer > toolkit that aren't intuitive. I missed the "edit" button on the devices > page for a bit (which is not mentioned in the tech brief), and couldn't > figure out how to increase the device count, for example. I also had to > try the Envoy update twice for some of these systems, as it threw an > error code the first time around, so for some of the systems it took > closer to 45-50 minutes to get the Envoy software update done. > > Hope the next one goes more smoothly for you! New products, new > challenges, I guess. > > Best, > > Louis Woofenden > > d...@energysolarnow.com wrote on 9/30/20 2:59 PM: > > Wrenches- > > I'm having a lot of difficulty commissioning my first Enphase Ensemble > > installation. This is on a pre-existing microinverter installation. > > Have been on the phone with tech support several times; each time they > > forward a Tech Brief about commissioning that has different and > > slightly conflicting instructions. It seems the order of turning on > > each box is critical. Because of already-obsolete software that they > > ship with, the software must be updated before activating the Envoy, > > Enpower, and Encharge or they will not work. > > And for some reason the Envoy must have both Wifi and cell connection > > before even starting commissioning, but the slower cell connection is > > used for software download so it takes up to 12 hours. > > This commissioning must be done on-site using their latest version of > > Installer Toolkit on a smart phone. Sure, there are buttons in > > Enlighten's Activation page to add an Enpower and Encharge, but these > > do not work "yet". > > Enphase tech support says they are working on making this a single-day > > process rather than the current multi-day commissioning. This does not > > even count the actual hardware installation time. > > > > I would advise anyone against moving any loads to a new subpanel > > before the entire system is commissioned and operating. > > As of now I have an Enpower that mistakenly thinks it is off-grid when > > the grid is present, so it has told the Envoy to shut down the PV > > microinverters and batteries. These are relay controlled, therefore it > > is not possible to have them connected without software control.? It > > has already committed the major crime of shutting down the backed-up > > loads while the grid is still present. Enphase is working on it, but > > seem to be developing software on the fly. I suppose their integration > > process has been hit hard by pandemic distancing, and they are all > > working remotely. > > > > Has anyone else had a successful experience commissioning an Ensemble? > > I'd like to hear about the doos-and-don'ts. > > > > Don Barch > > d...@energysolarnow.com <mailto:d...@energysolarnow.com> > > > -- > Louis Woofenden > Engineering Director > Net Zero Solar, LLC > 101. W. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85705 > Arizona ROC #248710, 259756, 259521 > > Phone:520.207.4053 <tel:520.207.4053>Ex. 3 > Cell:520.237.5040 <tel:520.237.5040> > Fax:520.203.7230 <tel:520.203.7230> > > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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