ABB ACS 400 VFD pump drive 5 hp controlled with a across the line start 10 hp. pumps

[bjr]

I want to add a extra digital output display, maybe a 2" numbers that will display the pressure and or the amp draw. Can a auxillary display be wire to one of them little terminal screws for the pressure so's I can see it? I've read the users guide till I gave myself a headache, A **** of a lot of Groups and Sub group codes with Parameters and Process variables. All I need to do is have some kind of brite Back lite display that I can see when I walk into the pump house. The controller drive is mounted for a seven foot tall basket ball player to read even if I could get close to the thing for all plumbing pipes in the way. I'm the only one in the neighborhood willin' to risk life and limb to go into the pump house to keep the irrigation on. Surely, in this digitally enhanced world this is possible, some how? bjr

 

[Mendonsy]

The short answer to your question is NO, the ABB drive can't display pressure but you can set it to display amp draw.
You can purchase a digital pressure gauge to add into the water line but they are a bit expensive.
Digital Pressure Gauge

 

[om21braz]

Should have some analog or digital output terminals that, with the right parameter setting - can send an output signal to a LED display of your choice. Red Lion makes a good unit. Make sure you get a display that (1) accepts the signal the ABB drive is sending it (2) operates off a voltage you can get somewhere in the pump house. If the VFD was a Yaskawa I might could give you more info without reading all 300-500 pages on the manual.

 

[bjr]

Should have some analog or digital output terminals that, with the right parameter setting - can send an output signal to a LED display of your choice. Red Lion makes a good unit. Make sure you get a display that (1) accepts the signal the ABB drive is sending it (2) operates off a voltage you can get somewhere in the pump house. If the VFD was a Yaskawa I might could give you more info without reading all 300-500 pages on the manual.

We actually have three pumping sites and only one Yaskawa. It's a "Q" something "for pumps" and I really like it and it seems way simple compare to the "fits all" ABB. Just trying to keep all three systems running is a bit like the old variety TV shows where the fellow tries to see how many plates he can get spinning on the poles before one he started falls off and breaks. bjr

 

[om21braz]

We actually have three pumping sites and only one Yaskawa. It's a "Q" something "for pumps" and I really like it and it seems way simple compare to the "fits all" ABB. Just trying to keep all three systems running is a bit like the old variety TV shows where the fellow tries to see how many plates he can get spinning on the poles before one he started falls off and breaks. bjr

In one form or another (Power Products, EMS, Yaskawa) we've used the brand since late 80's and they have proven to be reliable. Not to mention capable of tasks GE Fuji, ABB, A-B, Siemens, etc. could not do and maybe still cannot?

 

[om21braz]

A quick look at the manual mind you, but maybe this will help. Looks like you can set parameter 1501 (analog output) to 0104 - to read output current in 4-20ma. Terminals AO1 (6-signal) and AGND (7-common/ground) would wire to your display to the appropriate terminals. You'd need a display capable of scaling the 4-20ma signal so to read amps to match actual on ACS 400 control panel. I didn't read deep enough to see, but another option may be to buy a cable to allow remote mounting of the control panel to a better location. Easier to see and control if needed.

 

[Mendonsy]

A quick look at the manual mind you, but maybe this will help. Looks like you can set parameter 1501 (analog output) to 0104 - to read output current in 4-20ma. Terminals AO1 (6-signal) and AGND (7-common/ground) would wire to your display to the appropriate terminals. You'd need a display capable of scaling the 4-20ma signal so to read amps to match actual on ACS 400 control panel. I didn't read deep enough to see, but another option may be to buy a cable to allow remote mounting of the control panel to a better location. Easier to see and control if needed.

That's what I came up with for the ABB400 also. If you want to include a pressure display you could add a 4-20ma pressure sensor to the line from the pumps. Precision Digital makes a dual input 4-20ma display that can display both at the same time. PD6 ProVu Dual Analog Input Process Digital Panel Meter | Precision Digital

 

[Valveman]

Just trying to keep all three systems running is a bit like the old variety TV shows where the fellow tries to see how many plates he can get spinning on the poles before one he started falls off and breaks. bjr

That is the kind of thing I hear about VFD's from customers all the time, even though the installer says they have been using those a long time and they are very reliable. I guess "very reliable" is something completely different to the installers than it is to the end users. A reliable pump system is one where you don't even have to go into the well house for years or even decades.

We have been replacing VFD's with Cycle Stop Valves or CSV's since 1993. The CSV makes it really reliable. Most people with a CSV never think about their water system again. They just open a faucet or turn on sprinklers, and the water comes out reliably.

And if you want some digital readouts on pressure and amps, we have a Cycle Sensor to protect the pump and read the amps, and a digital pressure switch to read the pressure. You could also use the digital pressure switch as just a readout, they are only 30 bucks.

 

[om21braz]

That is the kind of thing I hear about VFD's from customers all the time, even though the installer says they have been using those a long time and they are very reliable. I guess "very reliable" is something completely different to the installers than it is to the end users. A reliable pump system is one where you don't even have to go into the well house for years or even decades.

We have been replacing VFD's with Cycle Stop Valves or CSV's since 1993. The CSV makes it really reliable. Most people with a CSV never think about their water system again. They just open a faucet or turn on sprinklers, and the water comes out reliably.

And if you want some digital readouts on pressure and amps, we have a Cycle Sensor to protect the pump and read the amps, and a digital pressure switch to read the pressure. You could also use the digital pressure switch as just a readout, they are only 30 bucks.

I cannot reply about one device over the other for reliability as a pump control as I'm not familiar with that use. What I can say is that when we have used Yaskawa VFD's in an industrial environment as an OEM machine manufacturer, working anywhere from 8 hours per day five days a week up to 24/7/365 use - it's uncommon to have any problems from the unit for at least 10 years. And when it breaks - don't repair, replace it when time is money.

 

[bjr]

Good information, Thank you. I did download the manual as well. It's just I'm apprehensive about changing parameters with my limited experience (I might activate a launch sequence on some unknown secret missile base somewhere) be just my luck. But with our water associations irrigation system adding a amperage meter would be like trying to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. We've got to kinda step back and see where we want to go with our system. Their are inquiries from adjacent lots about buying into the system. The independent private well owners have been discovering that the electricity is not cheap to run even small pump contentiously, and one fellow had his well collapse, getting pure sand and mud in his pipes. We have the potential to have to sell a lot more water A lot to consider and I'm not young (65) and just don't think I'm up to any large pipe/irrigtion construction jobs. I'm currently a board member and would like to see someone younger take over, but, with the current shape of the equipment no one wants the job. I'm just rambling now, but feel better just sharing. Thanks. bjr