replacing solar three phase VFD system with single phase + Growatt inverter?

[schmolze]

I have an off grid property with the Franklin Electric SubDrive SolarPAK solar well pump system. The controller/inverter/VFD appears to have died, and Franklin Electric wants about $6k for a replacement!

The motor is a three phase 1.5 hp model, and I have a 2kW array dedicated to the well. I have two extra panels (500W) that are connected to an Ecoflow Delta Pro for my modest power needs as I'm building a cabin. The well is about 400 ft deep I believe.

I'm not too keen on shelling out $6k for a part that may fail again. A friend is willing to give me a Growatt 5000ES, and I'm considering switching over to a single phase well pump powered by the Growatt. I'm not sure I even need a battery since the pump only needs to operate when there is sun. I gather the start-up surge current is an issue, but it seems the Grundfos SQ line with the soft start feature may be an option?

Interested to hear if this sounds like a good idea, or if some other setup would work better.

 

[Samsonite801]

I have a neighbor here on our co-op who bought a Grundfos AC/DC pump that can take pretty much any power (AC or DC, with a wide voltage range), on the input, and he wires it straight to panels. He did also buy the special relay module (box) for it that can handle DC currents without arcing on disconnect.

He likes it a lot, it is soft-start.. I've never toyed with this myself yet, I still don't have my well dug yet, but am looking at this option. I think they are the Grundfos SQFlex line.

SQFlex

Renewable energy submersible pumps with built in inverter for solar, wind and AC powersource. Runs on both AC and DC voltage.

product-selection.grundfos.com

 

[schmolze]

I have a neighbor here on our co-op who bought a Grundfos AC/DC pump that can take pretty much any power (AC or DC, with a wide voltage range), on the input, and he wires it straight to panels. He did also buy the special relay module (box) for it that can handle DC currents without arcing on disconnect.

He likes it a lot, it is soft-start.. I've never toyed with this myself yet, I still don't have my well dug yet, but am looking at this option. I think they are the Grundfos SQFlex line.

SQFlex

Renewable energy submersible pumps with built in inverter for solar, wind and AC powersource. Runs on both AC and DC voltage.

product-selection.grundfos.com

Those do look like a nice option. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of the SQFlex vs. the standard SQ with a separate off the shelf inverter (Growatt in my case).