Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: therecklessengineer on July 04, 2013, 05:23:24 PM

Title: What would you do?
Post by: therecklessengineer on July 04, 2013, 05:23:24 PM: I have a problem with my processor. The inverter drive that drives my three phase pump has given up the ghost.

I can either buy a new drive (£140) or I can buy a new single phase pump from JGS (£91)

The new pump is obviously cheaper, however, it would mean modification of my pipework to make it fit. The advantage of having a drive is that it has all sorts of protection devices to ensure the pump doesn't overload. And I can run it at variable speed. And I don't need to change my pipework.

Should my three phase pump ever die, they are cheap to come by.

What would you do?
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Julian on July 04, 2013, 06:08:13 PM: Probably replace the inverter. Less than 50 quid extra by the time you add in fittings, pipe, electrics and your time.

Seems a small price for the advantages you describe.

Is it economical to repair the inverter?
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jondanbob on July 04, 2013, 06:11:32 PM: invertek inverters are really good, cheap inverters your just asking for trouble really, especially those nasty ones on ebay yuck!
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: therecklessengineer on July 04, 2013, 06:15:28 PM: Quote from: jondanbob on July 04, 2013, 06:11:32 PM
invertek inverters are really good, cheap inverters your just asking for trouble really, especially those nasty ones on ebay yuck!

Yes, I agree. It was invertek that I intended to get. I've just installed a 36kW version at work and I'm very impressed with the build quality and functionality.

I have repaired the inverter drive once already, but this time It's completely goosed. It was built in the 80's and I did find it in a skip, so I think it's done it's job!

And Welcome btw. :)
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Tony on July 04, 2013, 06:25:02 PM: Hehe yes welcome - I vote replace the inverter!
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jondanbob on July 04, 2013, 06:35:27 PM: thanks, thought there is more action here than on paddys forum

what size inverter are you after i have a few siemens inverters, only downside a bugger to set up
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: greasemonkey on July 04, 2013, 10:11:52 PM: This is all a bit beyond me, but the other day, somewhere on the web, there were ex military 3ph inverters, selling for around £25 IIRC. They were on an army surplus retailer site. I'm pretty sure they said they were early 1980s.
I have absolutely no idea what the site was though.
Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: julesandtash on July 10, 2013, 02:25:39 PM: Replace the inverter and buy a spare one.
You can guarantee that something like that will go belly up mid way through a batch leaving your whole plant full of partially converted liquid.

I have a spare pump for mine. Not quite the same as the processor pump but it will fit the pipework and means I can rescue it halfway through if needed and get it pumped out.