Inverters, VFDs or ‘that box on the wall’ (yes, I’ve had someone use that one before). There are as many names for these devices as there are types of them. Add into that the variations for voltage / current provisions, single vs three-phase and the list of variants is endless.

The HydroController pump inverter by Mac3 makes variable speed drive simple while allowing for customisability in execution.

Available in single to single-phase, single three-phase and three-phase to three-phase variants, along with 220V and 400v flavours (oh, the agony of choice). Along with these choices, the HydroController is also available as an inline installation HCW – allowing for direct pressure monitoring of the delivery line, or, as a wall-mounted unit HCA – using an external pressure sensor that can be connected to the delivery line away from the unit itself.

Pump Inverter with Easy Installation

The physical installation of a HydroController unit is simple.

For the HCW models (inline), this is as easy as mounting onto the delivery line from the pump. Using the 1.25” BSP threaded stainless steel pipe that runs through the HydroController. It’s that simple. This also allows installation both vertically or horizontally – depending on space or site requirements.

Likewise, for the HCA models (external sensor), installation is just as simple. Rather than using an inline mounting, we can mount the HydroController to any flat surface requiring only connections to the pump and a pressure sensor (and power) to be run to the unit. Making the HCA version suitable for plant room installations that are away from the wet end (or that end that the electricians don’t want water getting anywhere near).

HydroController Advanced – Multi-master protocol

Like its smaller cousin, the e-control (Insert link here) the HydroController Advanced can be configured to employ a multi-master protocol. This uses a similar setup to the e-power advanced, allowing suitably configured units to share control of the attached pumps. If one unit were to fail or be disconnected for any reason, another HydroController would become ‘master’ and lead the other units. A useful feature for installations that are either awkward to access or, that have been supplied on a service contract.
Who doesn’t like to drop phrases like Canbus, serial connection and multi-master into a discussion with a customer or site representative? Follow that with no redundant systems and we tick all the boxes that site managers love to hear!

Specialist Pump Inverters

HydroController for Swimming Pool Pumps – HydroController Pool

The HydroController series has a few other tricks up its sleeve – in the form of the HydroController Solar and HydroController Pool. These are both dedicated use units that have been optimized for specific deployments:

HydroController Pool

The control software for this unit has extensively been reworked for use with swimming pool systems. Aside from being able to control large pumps, the Pool has a wireless network card. This allows the user to remotely connect to the hardware allowing them to make changes to the run schedule through the Mac3 Helpdesk (not to mention users can view the current activity of their system – which is a pretty cool).

HydroController Solar – Inverter for water pumps in off-grid solar systems

HydroController Solar

This has been reworked from the ground up to be installed with solar photovoltaic systems. Ideal for off-grid or remote installations where cable installations are cost prohibitive (or simply too much of a pain). When deployed with a suitable battery (leisure or deep cycle marine batteries are best suited to this), charging relay and of course a suitable pump, a simply constructed system takes shape. Again, with a little further consideration, the system can be made mobile (or at least haulable with a tractor or forklift). Giving totally flexible deployment, so long as you have pipe/hose in place.

HydroController, complicated installations and uses made simple – both in traditional pump control situations and the more esoteric requirements for solar and pool type installations.

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

The post HydroController – Pump Inverter made Simple appeared first on Mac 3 UK.

Compact Water-Cooled Inverter – E-Power

E-Power – Bringing power (and control) to a pump near you!

Installation of the E-Power is easy. The unit is pipe-mounted using the integrated 1.25” BSP threaded pipe. This serves as the mounting point, pressure monitoring and cooling solution. Aside from that, wiring to the mains supply and the pump is all that is required. All that is left is deciding whether to install the E-Power vertically or horizontally. Who said life couldn’t be simple?

Like any pump inverter, the E-Power can be programmed to suit the pump being used and the site requirements. However, both versions of the E-Power have a trick up their sleeves. For the Standard version, that trick is the additional control of a single-speed jockey pump. For the Advanced model – it’s really easy to run multiple pumps – it’s good to talk!

Standard E-Power

While each unit can control a single pump, the Standard model can add a single-speed jockey pump – to boost pressure if the variable speed unit is unable to match demand. Though this is only on/off control, this will allow for periods of greater demand, but the installation doesn’t necessarily require a larger pump.

Advanced E-Power

The Advanced models can communicate with each other using CANBUS. Once the master has been configured, up to 7 more can be added as slave units. All connected units will communicate with one another, allowing for more efficient pump usage for example alternating pump usage with each startup or adding additional pumps to match system demand.

The other trick up the sleeve of the Advanced model is the “Multimaster” mode. This allows for a floating master – so the other units will pick up the settings and crack on! Should a unit be removed from the system for any reason, the others will continue as usual thanks to the floating master setup. Simply put, there is no one unit in charge – as they are synchronized with one another, any connected unit can ‘take the lead’, using a floating master protocol. The upshot of this (aside from sounding cool when dropping this into conversation) is a significant reduction in downtime for the whole system (which reduces costs, especially when working on a service-type contract).

Compact Water-Cooled Inverter

Overall, the E-Power compact water-cooled inverter is a compact and easy-to-configure VFD unit that can be used in a single pump (with an optional jockey pump) or multiple pump setups.

Certainly one to consider if ;

• there isn’t wall space to fit a wall-mounted VFD unit,
• you are building a compact single / three-phase pressure boosting unit, or
• the site requires controllers that can work together.

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems

The post E-Power Compact Water-Cooled Inverter appeared first on Mac 3 UK.