Irrigation Pump Control MN: VFDs & Remote Monitoring
Irrigation Pump Control MN
Water is expensive. Electricity is expensive. Stop running your pumps at 100% when you only need 10% more pressure. We install Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and smart controls for Center Pivots, traveling guns, and drip tape systems.
Pump physics are on your side. Reducing pump speed by just 20% reduces power consumption by ~50%. A 100HP pump running on a VFD instead of a starter can pay for the upgrade in a single dry season.
Soft Start Advantage
Slamming a large submersible or centrifugal pump directly across the line (DOL) is violent. It stresses the windings, hammers the check valves, and creates massive inrush current spikes.
Across-the-Line
- Stress: Water Hammer. Slams check valves, breaking pipes.
- Inrush: 600-800% FLA. Dims lights, massive demand charges.
- Flexibility: None. 100% On or Off.
Soft Start / VFD
- Stress: Ramp Control. 30-sec acceleration eliminates hammer.
- Inrush: < 100% FLA. Zero spikes. Soft ramp from 0Hz.
- Flexibility: Constant Pressure. Auto-adjusts speed for end guns.
Smart Irrigation Control
Farming is 24/7, but you don't have to live in the field. Our panels integrate with telemetry systems to put control on your phone.
Remote Cellular Control
Start, stop, and monitor your pivots from anywhere. We wire AgSense and telemetry nodes directly into the control panel, giving you real-time alerts for low pressure, stuck tires, or power loss.
Solar Pump Integration
For remote pastures or corners without utility power, we install DC Solar Pump Controllers. Eliminate the generator fuel bill entirely for cattle watering or small acreage irrigation.
Utility Rebate Approved
Almost every utility in MN offers rebates for VFD installation (often $40-$60 per HP). We handle the rebate paperwork regarding harmonic mitigation and efficiency calculations to ensure you get paid.
Phase Conversion for 3-Phase Pumps
No 3-phase? No problem. Most pivots are miles from a 3-phase line. We specialize in Single-Phase to 3-Phase conversion for irrigation.
- VFD Conversion: A properly sized VFD can take 480V single-phase input and output 480V 3-phase to run a standard efficient pump motor. (Requires derating the drive).
- Phase Converters: For multi-pump setups, we install American Rotary ADX units to balance the voltage perfectly.
- Harmonic Filtering: We install line reactors to protect your neighbors (and the utility transformer) from electrical noise.
Water Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you're watering corn, beans, or potatoes, reliable pressure is the difference between a bumper crop and yield loss. Let's design a pump panel that pays for itself.
Request an Irrigation QuoteServing West Central MN Ag Producers
Latest Updates & Projects
Browse our recent articles and case studies related to irrigation control below.
Irrigation VFD Upgrades: West Central MN Power Savings
Around Milan and Appleton, irrigation season costs time and money. Learn how VFDs, telemetry, and utility rebates can cut your electric bill by 50% and save your check valves.