A/C Water Pump

**peakbagger** · 03-06-2019, 08:21 AM

Do yourself a favor. If you have an external capacitor box on a conventional centrifugal submersible pump look into a Franklin Electric monodrive. It converts the existing pump in the well to a soft start variable speed drive and does away with your surge loads. The drive replaces the external capacitor box. Not sure if you have any other options if you do not have an external capacitor as the monodrive needs access to the start winding of the motor which is only external if you have an external capacitor. Note if you dont have an external capacitor do yourself a favor and swap out the pump on a scheduled basis as at some point when you least expect it the capacitor down in the hole will fail at the worst possible time. It can die of old age or during a lighting strike.

**Mike90250** · 03-06-2019, 11:01 AM

I cannot believe an electrician would suggest using a lamp dimmer to test a motor with.
The inductive kickback would likely destroy the dimmer in an instant. Most say Incandescent lamps only

**randyb128** · 03-06-2019, 05:18 PM

The Franklin Electric Monodrive looks good, but pricey. Could likely upgrade the inverter to handle the load for that price. I think one phase soft start is < $300 usd.

**Paul Land** · 03-06-2019, 08:47 PM

1300 watts + surge watts light dimmer. Hummm!!!

**randyb128** · 03-07-2019, 10:06 AM

From what I'm reading it might actually work! An electronic light dimmer is virtually the same circuit as a single phase soft start motor controller. They both use SCR's to chop the waveform. A 1 HP motor should draw 746 watts so a 1000 watt dimmer should work. As far as the inrush, that's what the SCR limits and that's how the soft start actually works to limit the inrush (on single phase, not 3 phase, that's when you have to vary the frequency and not the amplitude normally with a VFD) I have another old 1hp single phase motor I can try it on 1st. I will have the fire extinguisher handy!

**Paul Land** · 03-07-2019, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by randyb128

From what I'm reading it might actually work! An electronic light dimmer is virtually the same circuit as a single phase soft start motor controller. They both use SCR's to chop the waveform. A 1 HP motor should draw 746 watts so a 1000 watt dimmer should work. As far as the inrush, that's what the SCR limits and that's how the soft start actually works to limit the inrush (on single phase, not 3 phase, that's when you have to vary the frequency and not the amplitude normally with a VFD) I have another old 1hp single phase motor I can try it on 1st. I will have the fire extinguisher handy!

I have this SCR on my electronics test bench I use it as a variable volt supply + 1:1 Isolation transformer $50 to separate voltage from circuit
reg.png

**randyb128** · 03-07-2019, 03:54 PM

Perfect. I bet that would work. Very inexpensive too.

**Paul Land** · 03-07-2019, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by randyb128

Perfect. I bet that would work. Very inexpensive too.

This is transformer I use its 120v:120v but I step it up to my needs on bench and use dimmer to run test volts starting with 45v-75v up to full volts . with dimmer i use dim bulb it must be incandescent to make dimmer work its wired in "series". I would use 120v:140v to cover volt drop from dimmer that should work.
jam.png

**sdold** · 03-07-2019, 05:55 PM

You guys are making me nervous with this stuff. Let's stop with the half-assed lamp dimmer motor control suggestions.

**Mike90250** · 03-07-2019, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by randyb128

From what I'm reading it might actually work! An electronic light dimmer is virtually the same circuit as a single phase soft start motor controller. They both use SCR's to chop the waveform. A 1 HP motor should draw 746 watts so a 1000 watt dimmer should work. As far as the inrush, that's what the SCR limits and that's how the soft start actually works to limit the inrush (on single phase, not 3 phase, that's when you have to vary the frequency and not the amplitude normally with a VFD) I have another old 1hp single phase motor I can try it on 1st. I will have the fire extinguisher handy!

If you are really lucky, it will merely silently fry the dimmer.

746 watts = 1 hp A "real" electric motor consumes much more when you consider power factor and other losses.

But keep on believing what Paul says, since he is showing the worse side of Greenwashing - False Hope

**Mike90250** · 03-07-2019, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by Paul Land

This is transformer I use its 120v:120v but I step it up to my needs on bench and use dimmer to run test volts starting with 45v-75v up to full volts . with dimmer i use dim bulb it must be incandescent to make dimmer work its wired in "series". I would use 120v:140v to cover volt drop from dimmer that should work.
jam.png

Congratulations on being banned for doing EXACTLY what we asked you not do (give incompetent technical advice to neophytes)

ANY OTHER Fraudsters/Shills/Peddelers and Ignoramus giving dangerous advice, will meet the same.

A/C Water Pump

A/C Water Pump

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment