I thought the same but was scared to say anything as I wasn't sure of the application completely! 60 HP is HUGE
Single Phase or 3phase power Info please
- Thread starter duramaximizer
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I thought the same but was scared to say anything as I wasn't sure of the application completely! 60 HP is HUGE
To give you a better idea a 3.0 L 50h.p. generator running on propane or n. Gas puts out about 250 amps. Now depending on load lets say 1/2 of what the generator is capable of it will consume about 1.9 gallons an hour. 3/4 load would be 2.9 gallons and full load would be 3.3 gallons an hour. Depending on fuel cost in your area you should be able to crunch some numbers and get a pretty accurate idea of how much it will cost you to run it monthly.
Amps, watts, kilowatts, 3phase voltage(s), and conversions for hp etc. I am in way over my head. I need an electricity for dumbies...lol
200 hours runtime:
You need a watertank, not a big pump.
You could make do with a much smaller motor with a big tank.
You need to consult with an irrigation specialist.
You need a watertank, not a big pump.
You could make do with a much smaller motor with a big tank.
You need to consult with an irrigation specialist.
The problem is building a water tower of sufficient size in the middle of my field is not economical or practical either. It would have to hold 4,000,000 gal and evaporation would kill me in a pond. LOL
I thought about the combustion engine water pump, but most pumps won't suck up 150'+ and to prime it would be a bear to say the least.
The consultant says to pay the money for 3 phase, VFD, and let the well driller tell me how big my motor has to be for 800+ gallon per minute and buy accordingly. I just wanted to make sure things were as efficient as they could be as far as costs and ROI since I know nothing about electricity, I feel like I am at their mercy.
Local electric coop will run me a single line 480 for free... FWIW. Yet 3 phase is $18k.
The price of this stuff is crazy!
Just thought I would throw this out there since a lot of you are a lot smarter than me.
Any VFD's higher quality or better than another? I did read on line that there are some known bearing issues when running VFD drives something about they arc across to the shaft and wear out/pit the bearing prematurely. I am young and I just don't want problems, regret, or have to redo things.
I thought about the combustion engine water pump, but most pumps won't suck up 150'+ and to prime it would be a bear to say the least.
The consultant says to pay the money for 3 phase, VFD, and let the well driller tell me how big my motor has to be for 800+ gallon per minute and buy accordingly. I just wanted to make sure things were as efficient as they could be as far as costs and ROI since I know nothing about electricity, I feel like I am at their mercy.
Local electric coop will run me a single line 480 for free... FWIW. Yet 3 phase is $18k.
The price of this stuff is crazy!
Just thought I would throw this out there since a lot of you are a lot smarter than me.
Any VFD's higher quality or better than another? I did read on line that there are some known bearing issues when running VFD drives something about they arc across to the shaft and wear out/pit the bearing prematurely. I am young and I just don't want problems, regret, or have to redo things.
Well my statement on a vfd converting single phase to 3 phase was wrong, however there will be issues doing that setup, man I wouldn't do it unless it was a little 10 horsepower well pump. As far as bearing issues they make grounding rings for the motors and danfoss sells blue cores, which you run the wires going to the motors through the blue core to eliminate etching the bearing race. I only work on 3 phase equipment so I was not aware of the single to three phase vfd stuff. Danfoss also makes vfd's
There are single to 3 phase VFDs. I run several. They do not change the voltage, they change the frequency, which in turn changes the motor RPM. Thus the Variable Frequency Drive name.
Something to run 60 HP will not be cheap, but probably cheaper than $18K
I use Baldor VFDs a lot and think they are one of the best. I have never had to, nor heard of anyone having to repair one.
Something to run 60 HP will not be cheap, but probably cheaper than $18K
I use Baldor VFDs a lot and think they are one of the best. I have never had to, nor heard of anyone having to repair one.
When you start looking at prices like that, you should also consider 3-ph solar.
Why? 30% tax credit on not only the solar, but on the distribution lines to the utility.
The solar doesn't have to be 50kw. The utility will have to "save" your power when the pumps aren't running. Think of the utility as a water tank, or a big battery.
OK, is this a single field flooding? How is this water used? Times per year, duration of flow?
Why? 30% tax credit on not only the solar, but on the distribution lines to the utility.
The solar doesn't have to be 50kw. The utility will have to "save" your power when the pumps aren't running. Think of the utility as a water tank, or a big battery.
OK, is this a single field flooding? How is this water used? Times per year, duration of flow?
I work for a rural water company. We have over 30 cutler hammer vfds with no problems. Converting single into 3 phase is easily to do with a vfd and works well. Even if you run 3 phase I would use a vfd to start and stop the pump to prevent water hammer into your system. Have you priced a starter yet for the 60 hp motor yet? Like others said you can program the drive to run off of outlet flow and pressure. Are you sure that you can withdraw 800 gpm? When using a vfd make sure the motor is inverter duty rated if you want it to last long.
This will be a center pivot traveling irrigation on rolling sandy ground. I have the river on the back side of my property but I do not own to it therefore I can't source it.
Yes, I promise the 800gpm is accurate. When they are close to the road they put a fire hydrant hookup there, and the FD loves it! Then they have a master key to get into turn on the power on and they are trained on how it works.
Yes, I promise the 800gpm is accurate. When they are close to the road they put a fire hydrant hookup there, and the FD loves it!
Then they have a master key to get into turn on the power on and they are trained on how it works.I don't think 18k is that bad. You just need to see how long it will take to get that investment back. Do all the numbers on the complete irrigation system and expected average yields. If it's going to take more than 5 years or so to pay back then I would not do any of it. IMHO
You might talk with your accountant (not a salesman) about a small 3ph solar system.
Why? Free money. If your $18,000 utility install is part of a solar install, everything you do is subject to credits and grants. Federal credit is 30%. I think Ohio even has up to a $25k grant for grid tie arrays.
You might get both utility 3ph and solar 3ph for less than $18,000. AND your 3ph conversion might qualify for credits and grants under Ohio energy efficiency programs.
But don't talk to solar salesman. They are normally greedy and clueless.
Why? Free money. If your $18,000 utility install is part of a solar install, everything you do is subject to credits and grants. Federal credit is 30%. I think Ohio even has up to a $25k grant for grid tie arrays.
You might get both utility 3ph and solar 3ph for less than $18,000. AND your 3ph conversion might qualify for credits and grants under Ohio energy efficiency programs.
But don't talk to solar salesman. They are normally greedy and clueless.
Solar could make use of those pesky unirrigated corners of the field that the pivot system doesn't reach.
However, my experience is that in our climates here in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Solar barely pays back in 5-10 years. That's WITH the incentives. Then there is the hassle factor.
Finally, Solar is not maintenance free. MTBF on affordable panels and batteries is somewhere around 20 years, but getting better.
Farmers have better (more profitable) things to do.
However, my experience is that in our climates here in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Solar barely pays back in 5-10 years. That's WITH the incentives. Then there is the hassle factor.
Finally, Solar is not maintenance free. MTBF on affordable panels and batteries is somewhere around 20 years, but getting better.
Farmers have better (more profitable) things to do.
I'm not going to say it's a fact, but from my reading, he may be eligible for a GRANT from Ohio. This might cost his little or nothing to get utility 3ph installed to his property IF it's part of any sized grid-tied solar system. An accountant would know more.
So you're not installing solar as a long term investment, you're installing it to reduce the cost of getting 3ph to the property. But since he's only using 200 hours a year, even a small array will help pay for his juice to run the pump. And if a 3ph conversion qualifies, he can get a grant for the pump motor and controller as well.
Example: Put in a $4000 3ph grid-tie solar array that requires an $18,000 3ph power run. Cost = $22,000, discount = $6,600 Federal. $15,400 for the utility power. This is assuming there are no Ohio programs, which is false.
If this is the case, the solar nets a nice profit first year. Take the profit and expand until electricity costs are completely gone for the whole farm.
If this is the case, the solar nets a nice profit first year. Take the profit and expand until electricity costs are completely gone for the whole farm.