The pump station is the life blood of the irrigation system. It is designed to be very reliable and offer many trouble free years of operation. Unfortunately during the last rain event we suffered a lightning strike to the pump station damaging the computer control module for the pump station. We called Clint Gillis from ABA Pump Station. He is working to determine the damages.
UPDATE- 7/8/3-24
We have determined the VFD (variable frequency drive) is out of the pump station. This is basically the computer that tells the pumps when to turn on and how many rpm to run so we can maintain pressure and supply adequate water to the course without exceeding the pressure limits of the pipes damaging the irrigation system.
We have developed a work around for the pump station to get us running water until we are able to bring the station online and operating properly. It requires us coming to the golf course and manually starting the pumps each night at 9:00 p.m. and monitoring the station as it starts up. This is not going to be fun but we are pleased that we are going to be able to run water.
UPDATE- 7/9/2014
We installed the new VFD drive and still have issues. The PLC (programmable logic control) needs replaced also. This is the entire control module for the pump station. This will have to be replaced by the factory and it will take a few weeks to build and then we will put it in.
UPDATE- 8/2/2014
Parts were back ordered and it took longer to get the PLC than they estimated. As of today we have the new PLC installed and we should be going strong wit the pump station repaired.
UPDATE 8/5/3024
After some tweaking and adjusting to pressures and settings over the weekend we are good to go with the pump station running at maximum capacity and efficiency. After 30 days of babysitting the station it is a good feeling to have it online. I will sleep better at night.
