DIY Farmer

This is a link to a reasonably comprehensive video explaining the process of power factor correction with a run capacitor and showing the successful results.

Making use of the information received from everyone I am going to assume this is a power factor issue in an off grid system. Current power factor is 0.5. Needed power factor is 0.95. To achieve power factor correction a run capacitor can be used across live and neutral before the borehole motor. I have calculated the run capacitor must have the following values: 60 micro Farad, 400 - 450V Could the installation of this run capacitor cause other problems eg. Power factor of other devices in the system?

Thanks for the reply Ian. Have you seen this often? Did you take readings that show how much more Watts than rated? A friend of mine who has a 1.5kW 3 phase borehole pump draws 5.1 A. This works out to double the rated wattage as well.

I have a 0.75kW single phase AC borehole pump that is drawing 1.5kW and would appreciate advice to rectify this. I used to run on grid power and didn’t notice but now that I am off grid it seems like an unnecessary strain on the solar system. The pump seems to be operating normally for at least the last 6 months apart from drawing double it’s rated power. During operation I have measured the following: Inverter output: 238V 6A Borehole DB board: 234V 7A Other information: Cable from inverter to borehole is about 150m long and the size is 10mm square. Borehole depth is 40m. Total pumping height is 70m. Pump was bought in January 2023 and has a pump protector. Never been run dry or damaged. I have run out of options here. Please advise!