New VFD for Pump Station

After nearly 20 years of service, the variable frequency drive (VFD) that controls the motors in the Gray Hawk pump station finally gave out and we had to replace it with a Watertronics VFD panel. The old drive gave out  a few months ago, but we were forced to limp along until we felt the weather could provide us with a couple days where we could survive solely off of the Red Feather pump station. Much to my surprise, against all historical weather odds, we experienced that perfect weather scenario in the middle of July. 

 

The old drive worked well, but finally showed its age and gave out.

 

A VFD is a device that directs the speed of an electric motor by controlling the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor. A motor's speed, measured in RPM's, is directly controlled by frequency, measured in Hertz. If the pump station is not watering at maximum capacity, there is no need for the motors to run at full speed. The VFD is programmed to react to my water needs and control the pump motors speed accordingly. The VFD will control the speed of the motor by controlling the frequency and voltage provided to the motor. A system like this is much more energy efficient and economical.

The new Watertronics drive weighs close to 2,000 lbs.

Installation of the VFD went through a hole in the pump station roof.



 

As you can see below, a panel like this varies quite dramatically from anything you might see in a residential setting and it requires a good technician to install, calibrate, and maintain. Andy Jones of Midwest Pump and Fountain out of Kansas City was onsite to oversee the install and start up of the new drive. The entire process took about a day and a half and the system has run smoothly ever since.

We had the same Watertronics VFD installed in the Red Feather pump station during the course renovation in 2011 and, outside of a cooling fan malfunction, it has worked flawlessly. Drives like this are not cheap and a lot of planning goes into the fabrication and installation of the unit itself, so we are very fortunate and grateful to have these drives controlling our stations. 



 

 The finished product

A huge thanks to Watertronics, Midwest Pump and Fountain, and Century Electric for getting this accomplished in such short order.