Anyone have recent experience with VFD well pumps?

[STx]

The cycle stop has a 5 GPM bypass, household use below that will still cycle.

I'm not using one of the plastic, fixed pressure cycle stop valves, they have huge head pressure when you get over 30GPM. I'm going to put in the CSV3B2T - CSV3B2T CYCLE STOP VALVE – Cycle Stop Valves, Inc

 

[Xfaxman]

Wasn't aware of that one, since we don't have a high flow rate. Ours only cycles below 1 GPM.

I have never seen ours cycle since we replaced the original Inwell pressure tank with the leaking bladder.

I have a light that comes on when the pump is running and an easy to see pressure gauge in the house that I monitor.

 

[aczlan]

I've decided to go with the traditional pump and CSV, the VFD option ended up being about $1700 more and I just don't have the budget for it right now. I'm going to upsize my pressure tanks in a few months also to minimize the cycling as much as possible. Now I just need to fish the failed pump out of the hole, the first piece of down pipe broke when we tried to pull it. It's only about 30' down to the top of the pipe so it shouldn't be too difficult to pull it out, I hope.

When you put your new pump in, make sure you put a good rope down the hole with it. That way you can still pull the pump out even if the pipe breaks. I would also use the heavy black poly pipe to run down the well, that way you have no joints between the top and the bottom.

Aaron Z

 

[STx]

I actually had a galvanized cable to run down with the last one, I can't tell you why I decided not to use it, I just did.

The black poly isn't available locally, everyone here uses Sch80 PVC. Yo special order it and have it shipped is cost prohibitive.

I have what I need to fish the ok'd one out, just haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[downslope]

It's a 5" casing, no way we're getting 2 pumps down that hole.

A new well is not fiscally possible, if it was I'd drill a BIG one that would give me 100+GPM.

Can you really only get 55 gpm out of a 5 inch casing? I would think you could do a little better than that but maybe the depth or screen size is limiting. What is the size of the down pipe to the pump? How many feet of static water do you have in the well?
Some of my neighbors are running VFDs in tree nurseries and they like them, but I know at least one was struck by lightning.

 

[STx]

I can't afford the jump to a 7.5 HP or larger motor. I'm actually not sure there are motors bigger than 5 HP that will fit.

Static level is 100', well is 150', pump will hang at 140' on 2" Sch 80 PVC.

 

[Lnk]

Just some information to help. I have no experience with VFD well pumps. However, I have many years experience with VFD at gasoline dispensing stations. Most gas stations have 2hp VFD motors in the tanks. These provide 10gpm at up to 12 fueling points, of course that is with an 8-12 ft lift and a 2" feed line. The reliability of the drives is very high, not sure the same reliability can be had in a residential well. That being said, gas station have drives and motors that are 10+ years old, and cycle on and off way more than any residential well. Motor cooling is not a problem in either application as both liquids remove heat. Gas station motors are rigidly mounted on a flange attached to at least a 2" schedule 40 black iron pipe as opposed to a well dangling off of poly pipe. Might actually make things worse. Not sure. Good luck with whatever you decide.

LNK

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Hanging the pump on plastic pipe is not a good idea. The vibration will gradually cause it to crack. Fishing it from the bottom of the well is not as easy as 30'. Hang it on a stainless steel cable. The price solved your decision making. I am always inclined to keep it simple so that would steer me away from the VFD even if price was not the object. There are well pumps that go 20+ years. More things to go wrong especially vital systems.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Second thoughts; the best way to stop short cycling is to add a closed system storage tank rather than a larger bladder tank. Also on the VFD, I doubt they save any power cost to worry over. Their primary function is variable control of processes.

Ron

 

[cat fever]

I have the VFD pump. We just built the house so can't talk about how long it will last. I love the constant pressure. Our last house had the on/off type pump and I hated the pressure change especially while in the shower. It was more money but at this point I'm glad I did it.