WTB(UK): ITEM FOUND. Speed controller for 1KW water pump - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 09:33:14 am
content: Hi, I have a project that currently involves a water pump but the pump is 230VAC driven and is a single speed. I need a speed controller for it. Ebay has loads of cheap ones but they look like they will blow as soon as I switch them on.Can anyone recommend a decent speed controller for mains water pumps?ThanksTrev

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 10:16:58 am
content: Depends a lot on what type of motor it is - some motor types aren't very controllable.If you want something reliable, look to the traditional industrial controls suppliers. You pretty much get what you pay for.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 10:25:30 am
content: I tried using a variac to control the voltage and thus the speed and it did not work too well. Around 200VAC - 240VAC it did not make too much difference.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:16:12 am
content: I have not found any good quality speed controller for single phase 230V motors.And whenever I needed to do some reliable speed control, I switched the motor from a single phase to a 3 phase motor and then you have lots of great controller to choose from.So, I highly recommend that you get a 3 phase, 400V motor / pump.

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:19:33 am
content: If your unit is a 3 phase induction motor, you will need an inverted drive.I'd recommend this brand, it's often what we recommend our customers if they ask:https://www.motorcontrolwarehouse.co.uk/invertek-ode-3-120070-1f12-optidrive-e3.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuNLbt5yY1wIV2JkbCh3S4AzcEAkYASABEgKEqfD_BwEElse, not too sure.They do single phase output inverter drives too actually:http://www.invertekdrives.com/variable-speed-drives/optidrive-e2-single-phase/

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:30:50 am
content: Quote from: trevwhite on October 30, 2017, 10:25:30 amSounds like it's an induction motor - as others have said the only way to get good control is to replace it with a 3-phase motor and use an inverter drive (you don't need a 3-phase supply).

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:33:33 am
content: I just called the motor control warehouse and seems if I go down the inverter + 3 phase motor route I need to find a pump that couples to an IEC frame motor. Sounds like one step closer. Thanks

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 11:41:31 am
content: What's application? Maybe you can get away with bladder-type water pressure tank and on/off control mode for pump?

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 12:07:34 pm
content: I need to shift maybe 10litres per second. Maybe 20. I also need to be able to vary this flow.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 12:19:05 pm
content: I use a conventional 240v 3 phase vfd and just connect the single phase motor between 2 output phases.This works with a PSC motor, or one with a centrifugal starter if you keep it above the centrifugal switch speed. I've done this on a 3/4hp pool pump, 350W vortex pump and my $99 drill press.You really don't have to drop much speed to drastically reduce a centrifugal pump output.

author: kevinf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2017, 09:01:09 pm
content: What about running the pump you have and using a control valve ?Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 01:02:00 am
content: I am wondering if a phase cut lighting dimmer can be had with enough power to do what you want?otherwise such things are available for motor drives too? here's my 2 second google result...http://www.lcr-inc.com/triac-and-phase-cut-controls/EC1032 looks like it might be close to what you want.

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 07:35:34 am
content: Picked out this specific drive, it will work with your single phase motor:http://www.invertekdrives.com/variable-speed-drives/optidrive-e2-single-phase/model-data/datasheet.aspx?mID=ODE-2-22110-1K

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 08:08:44 am
content: Quote from: CM800 on October 31, 2017, 07:35:34 amThis looks interesting, thanks.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 08:35:07 am
content: Quote from: julianhigginson on October 31, 2017, 01:02:00 amI think I want something in a box and ready to go. Thanks for the suggestion. Also it will probably cost more to post it from USA

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 02:02:55 pm
content: Thanks everyone. I ordered this one.https://www.motorcontrolwarehouse.co.uk/ode-3-220105-1f42-01.htmlWe shall see if it delivers the goods.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 02:47:33 pm
content: I am looking forward to your report, if this controller will work and how well it works.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 03:34:35 pm
content: I would have much preferred to go to 3 phase but I could not at this stage find a pump that I could attach to a motor. So I have taken the gamble and hope that I get lucky with this unit.I shall keep everyone updated.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 09:45:18 am
content: I had one of the invertek ODE-2 single phase controllers. They work nicely. They do a slow ramp to 100% then drop down to set point. Ensures that the motor kicks over, and any cap start lets go. Not sure if you sized your controller best, 400 quid seems a lot. They have a proper wash down IP66 box for swimming pools you see more often.https://www.motorcontrolwarehouse.co.uk/ac-drives/invertek-optidrive-inverter.html

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 10:45:14 am
content: That sounds like a good starting procedure. I was hoping, for the price they did some clever stuff but it was a hope. Sounds like they do.I got it cheaper than book price - £252.80 + VAT. It is a lot of money but I need to get a particular project test system set up and finished. I cant search for weeks trying to save a bit of money. Also the pump I use is 750W rated so I did not have many options. I thought that I might upgrade the pump later on so it was better just to get the beefy one for now rather than limit my options later.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 03:03:33 pm
content: It's arrived! Hooked it up and it does appear to be controlling the water pump over its full range from a trickle of water to full speed.It will be a few more days before I get proper results on how well it controls the speed over the full range but at the moment from some rough measurements, it looks to be the business.

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 07:37:05 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on November 01, 2017, 03:03:33 pmThey are a good brand, I really like the little instruction manual on that plastic card on the drive. We use these all the time for our customers at work.