Hello All-- I have a customer that is considering installing the Vacon Liquid cooled drives on a Bow Thruster application.  Do any of you have experience with this drive/application you could share.
1000hp, 460V, any help is most appreciated-Thank You

Patrick I looked at the Vacon product and I applied products like this for the application, active front end, and regenerative, (actually ac and dc) what is your question?

I understand why someone would want liquid cooled in shipboard application, but has an air cooled VFD been cosidered? There is a significant reduction in maintenance and sphincter tightening especially since this is most likely intermittent duty. Fresh water cooling loops are notoiously nasty (even on a US submarine) and can plate out quickly. There is an air cooled, hose down model rated for 50C that is readily available. Regen is not necessary for this application you just need available power.

Perhaps J-P Sampola at Vacon Finland could advise you or someone at Vacon Benelux.

In mobile offshore platforms, the thruster peaks to a couple of MWs (during transit) from a few kilowatts (during dynamic positioning). The drives (VFDs) are water cooled (sea-water). But primary cooling circuit is demin water.

Robert, how well does an air cooled VFD hold up under salt spray? On the east coast of Florida, the salt spray is so bad it will dissolve an air cooled air conditioner condenser in about 3 years. I don't understand you comment about fresh water cooling loops plating out. Can you explain? Thanks

Patrick I would consider consulting with someone here in the States for help on this application. The Vacon drive is Brand Labled by Eaton Electrical and the have extensive experience with the Liquid Cooled Drives. To avoid the plating issue if it is a concern you coil provide a glycol closed loop cooling system as an alternative.