Category Archives: Motors, Drives, and Controls

Inline Typical Install Guide

Posted on by copywriterfele

Franklin Electric is  proud to bring another service to customers aiding in the application of the popular line of constant pressure systems.

The Inline constant pressure system is an ideal solution for constant pressure needs in homes on private wells or city/municipal water systems. Franklin offers the best motors, pumps, drives and controls packed into one system solution.

The unique integrated pump, motor and drive are compact, quiet and easy to install.  The Inline system does not simply increase the water pressure; it provides constant pressure to every fixture in the home at the same time.

The new Typical Installation Guide (M2071) is intended to ease the installation of a duplex Inline controlled by a Duplex Alternator.  It is available to download with the Inline product information and on Franklin Electric’s information library.

For more information on the Inline constant pressure system, please contact your local Franklin Electric Representative.

Introducing SubDrive HPX

Posted on by copywriterfele

Franklin Electric, the global leader in ground water pumping and water pressure solutions, is proud to introduce another exciting product to its popular line of variable speed constant pressure systems for water pumping applications.

The SubDrive HPX is the solution for light commercial, industrial, and municipal applications in need of constant pressure. Used on a private or public well running a Franklin Electric submersible motor, or coupled with an aboveground system, the SubDrive HPX offers our customers many more options.

This wide range of options provides customers a complete line of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) systems. The SubDrive HPX allows for both simple drive selection and installation. Developed with the water well contractor in mind, this system offers condensed operating parameters which are easy to program, reducing set-up time in the field.
The chart below provides product information and accessories available for the SubDrive HPX.

SubDrive HPX driver information 50 and 60 Hz

For more information about the SubDrive HPX and Franklin’s other constant pressure products, please contact your Territory Manager.

Residential & Light Commercial customers click here

Irrigation & Industrial customers click here

Download HPX literature from Information Library

Order HPX literature

1.5 hp Control Box Model Change

Posted on by copywriterfele

Effective March 2011, Franklin Electric will modify the existing 1.5 hp control box. These changes are in response to comments from the field and will be implemented without further hesitation.

While maintaining our current run winding overload protection, we added a start winding overload protector and an increase to 15 mf in the run capacitor. These alterations improve efficiency, smooth motor operation, and reduce amp draw, as well as eliminate date code confusion with overload/capacitor kits.

The modified 1.5 hp control box model (2823008110) will be the only model required to operate and protect the Franklin Electric 1.5 hp 3-wire motor. Current inventory will be depleted prior to issuing the new control box.

For more information about Franklin Electric control boxes, visit www.franklin-electric.com or contact your Territory Manager.

Inline 1100 and SubDrive2W Distribution

Posted on by copywriterfele

Franklin Electric, the global leader in ground water pumping and residential water pressure solutions, is proud to introduce two new products to its line of constant pressure systems.

The Inline 1100 is designed to provide constant pressure in homes on either municipal or private well water systems.

The SubDrive2W is the solution for constant pressure in homes on a private well with a 2-wire Franklin Electric motor.

Franklin Electric is pleased with market demand for these products and continues to work hard to ensure quality and availability of these products adhering to the first two commitments of the Company’s key factors for success. However, due to an unexpected demand in the first year of introduction, distribution of these products will continue to be limited to pre-qualified distributors to ensure quality and field support. Please contact your Franklin Electric regional sales manager for details.

Amps Vs. Watts – What’s the Operating Cost?

Posted on by leslie5677

One of the more confusing things about electricity is how it’s measured and how we pay for it. We would like to take a moment to clear up any misunderstandings about electrical power, especially in terms of calculating the electrical cost of operating a submersible pump. We all pay for the Kilo-watt hours on our electrical bill.

kW hours are calculated by multiplying the watts time hours of operation, all of this divided by 1000 to equate to kW hours.

kW-Hr = (Motor Watts * Hours of operation)/1000.

2Wire 1Ø Motor
SF Watts SF AMPS
Hp Volts Franklin Others Franklin Others
1/2 115 960 1088 12 9.5
1/2 230 960 1073 6 4.7
3/4 230 1310 1459 8 6.4
1 230 1600 1900 8.6 9.1
1 1/2 230 2180 2520 13.1 11
3 Wire 1Ø Motor
SF Watts SF AMPS
Hp Volts Franklin Others Franklin Others
1/2 115 960 916 12 12.6
1/2 230 960 1033 4.3 4.9
3/4 230 1310 1381 5.7 6.3
1 230 1600 1672 7.1 7.2
1 1/2 230 2100 2187 11.5 11.1

With the exception of the 1/2HP 115V 3 W motor Franklin watts (what we pay for) are lower than the competitive motor.  Many people assume that amp draw is the key factor, when in fact, the real issue is how well you convert the amps to output, otherwise known as efficiency of operation.

Assuming the average household consumes 500 Gal of water per day, using a 20 GPM 2W 1.5HP unit pump, this would require 25 minutes of operation per day or 750 minutes or 12.5 hours of operation per month. Assuming a kW cost of $0.10/kW-Hr, it would cost 2180*12.5*0.1/1000=$2.73, the physical cost, to operate an Franklin Electric equipped unit or $3.15 for the competitive unit.

Kilowatts are a measure of power, amps are a component of power and the other key is the materials and efficiencies associated with converting the power to rotational energy.  So, next time your customer wants to know how much it costs to operate their private water system, you can show them the figures and assure them that a submersible pump from Franklin Electric is one of the best deals around.

6-Inch Volt-X Submersible Motors

Posted on by leslie5677

Franklin Electric, the global leader in ground water and other submerged pumping applications, is proud to introduce the next generation of 6-inch submersible motors with a dual voltage feature. The 6-inch Volt-X motors will be offered in both standard water well and Sand Fighter constructions.

The 6-inch Volt-X motors offer power supply flexibility and inventory management advantages. The Volt-X voltage exchange device has been designed for sufficient gripping area in the T-handle to allow for easy installation and removal. The voltage rating is molded on the T-handle and the devices are differentiated by color.

The 6-inch Volt-X motors are dimensionally equivalent to standard motors of the same hp rating and will be shipped with a 460V Volt-X device installed. A 230V Volt-X device will be included in every box. Note: The new Volt-X devices are not compatible with the 2008 field trial motors.

To learn more about 6-inch Volt-X Submersible Motors, contact your Franklin Electric territory manager or visit our Web site at www.franklin-electric.com.

Constant Pressure

Posted on by leslie5677

Franklin’s constant pressure Web site was recently relaunched, featuring a new look, new information and new products.
Constantpressure.com homepage

The updated site is designed to educate homeowners on their water system and the benefits of having a constant pressure system, whether they have city water or a private well. In addition, the site promotes awareness about Franklin’s products for the home and educates them on understanding private water systems and the differences between conventional and constant pressure systems.

As before, the site offers visitors both English and Spanish language options and offers various interactive examples.

These interactive examples provide visual solutions and help educate homeowners on common causes of low water pressure. The virtual scenarios compare conventional systems to show the benefits of constant pressure from Franklin Electric.

Constantpressure.com Interactive Examples

Also familiar to the site are two features making Franklin constant pressure unique and simple:

Take it for a “Test Drive”
A MonoDrive Test Drive Kit is available for homeowners who want to experience constant pressure before investing. Through their local water systems contractor, they can try a constant pressure system in their home for a short time, and decide if constant pressure is right for them.

How to Purchase or Locating a Certified Dealer

Constantpressure.com Dealers

It pays to be a registered FE dealer,  the dealer look-up feature provides homeowners a way to find local water well professionals in their area.

New to the site is one of Franklin’s latest innovations, the Inline Constant Pressure System. The Inline Constant Pressure System is ideal for homes on private wells or city water systems maximizing the output and performance of other common water usage applications. Whether pumping from a cistern/holding tank, feeding a sprinkler or turf irrigation system, operating a livestock cooling system, or boosting pressure to a multi-head commercial wash down system, an increase in system performance and efficiency can be gained through Franklin Electric’s Inline Constant Pressure System.

Constantpressure.com Products

Franklin Electric has a constant pressure solution for any home. Visit www.constantpressure.com to check out the new look and  more information on constant pressure.

Franklin Electric SubDrive2W Constant Pressure System

Posted on by leslie5677

SubDrive 2 Wire

Franklin Electric, the global leader in ground water pumping and residential water pressure solutions, is proud to introduce another exciting product to its popular line of constant pressure systems.

The SubDrive2W constant pressure system is the solution for constant pressure in homes on a private well with a 2-wire Franklin Electric motor. The SubDrive2W is ideal for applications where constant pressure is desirable including residential water systems, landscaping, water treatment and geothermal systems.

The patent pending product was designed with the water well contractor in mind; a conversion to constant pressure made easy and does not require the pulling of a pump and motor, only the replacement of the pressure switch.

The SubDrive2W is also featured on our Web site, www.constantpressure.com.  The Web site is designed to inform homeowners of inconsistent water pressure in their homes and the benefits of a constant pressure system.

If you have any questions regarding Franklin Electrics SubDrive2W constant pressure system and our complete family of water pressure solution products please contact your local Franklin Electric territory representative.

SubDrive Accessory Offerings

Posted on by leslie5677

To better meet application specific needs, the SubDrive system accessory line is being expanded. The following accessories will be available for purchase, effective February 22, 2010.

Auxiliary Relay Boards expand the communication abilities for our NEMA 4 and can be used to communicate the state of the drive to auxiliary equipment or utilize multiple sensors (excludes SubDrive300). Compatible with SubDrive units having a date code of 09J45 and newer, the relays are identical to the ones found on the SubDrive300.

Tank Drawdown Kits allow the SubDrive system to utilize water from a tank during low flow applications and includes a 6-conductor cable, extra pressure switch along and an installation manual. The kit works with SubDrive300 or SubDrive NEMA 4 units with an installed Auxiliary Relay Board.

Heat sink Cover Kits protect the heat sink on SubDrive NEMA 4 units from small animals or debris intrusion.

Direct Burial Kits are available in various lengths of 10, 30 and 100 feet. The direct burial cables can be used for direct burial of the sensor wire and increase the maximum sensor cable length from 100 to 300 feet.

The accessories carry a standard one-year warranty and are now available for purchase.

Description Used with Part Number List Price USD List Price CAN
Aux Relay Board Kit N4 225755901 $46.00 $49.00
Tank Drawdown Kit N4 & 300 225770901 $127.00 $134.00
Heatsink Cover Kit N4 225805901 $17.00 $18.00
Direct Burial Kit 10′ Any 225800901 $77.00 $81.00
Direct Burial Kit 30′ Any 225800902 $166.00 $175.00
Direct Burial Kit 100′ Any 225800903 $468.00 $494.00

For further details, please contact your local Franklin Electric Sales Representative.

SubDrive/MonoDrive Labeling Changes

Posted on by leslie5677

As we continue to improve our products, changes will be applied to the labeling in the SubDrive/MonoDrive product line to help installers with Installation and Troubleshooting.

1. A new bright orange and black sticker/label will be placed inside the access cover across the motor output terminal block.

2. The fault code label has been updated to include new fault codes and reformatted in such a way as to only require one label for the entire product line.

3. The Switch Configuration labels have also been modified to better convey the proper configuration, based on pump and motor combination. This label will be moved from the back of the access cover to the fan cover, below the circuit board for Nema 4 excluding the SD300. The NEMA 1 Switch Configuration label location will not change.

These changes allow the consolidation of the number of labels currently being produced, enable all drives to have common labeling, providing troubleshooters with a standard label.