Franklin Electric SubDrive MonoDrive
Franklin Electric's SubDrive MonoDrive combines a matched submersible motor and integrated drive in a compact package, delivering reliable variable-speed control optimized for well and water supply systems common in equestrian facilities. Its integrated design reduces wiring, installation time and initial commissioning cost compared with separate VFD-plus-motor solutions, and it outperforms external drives like the Grundfos CUE in simplicity for buried/submersible installations while offering competitive lifecycle energy savings.
Steady well power
Energy-sipping champion
Steady well power
Energy-sipping champion
Review Summary
"Users praise the Franklin Electric SubDrive MonoDrive for reliable, long-term operation and efficient motor control in submersible applications, with straightforward installation; some note a limited advanced feature set and occasional delays with firmware updates or support."
Submersible barn buddy
Integrated VFD designed specifically for submersible pump motors, simplifying well installations for stables
Submersible barn buddy
Integrated VFD designed specifically for submersible pump motors, simplifying well installations for stables
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Franklin Electric's SubDrive MonoDrive combines a matched submersible motor and integrated drive in a compact package, delivering reliable variable-speed control optimized for well and water supply systems common in equestrian facilities. Its integrated design reduces wiring, installation time and initial commissioning cost compared with separate VFD-plus-motor solutions, and it outperforms external drives like the Grundfos CUE in simplicity for buried/submersible installations while offering competitive lifecycle energy savings.
Steady well power
Energy-sipping champion
Submersible barn buddy
Integrated VFD designed specifically for submersible pump motors, simplifying well installations for stables
Built-in protection features (dry-run, overload, phase loss) to protect pumps serving remote barn wells
Steady well power
Energy-sipping champion
Submersible barn buddy
Integrated VFD designed specifically for submersible pump motors, simplifying well installations for stables
Built-in protection features (dry-run, overload, phase loss) to protect pumps serving remote barn wells
$900-1500 CAD
Grundfos CUE VFD
The Grundfos CUE VFD is a compact, pump-aware variable frequency drive that provides flexible motor compatibility, robust pump protection and straightforward programming for barn water supplies and pressure systems. Compared with integrated pump-drive products such as Franklin's SubDrive or Goulds' Aquavar SOLO 2, the CUE typically has a lower upfront price and wider retrofit applicability, making it a cost-effective choice when facilities need to pair a best-in-class drive with existing equestrian motors.
Smart speed control
Plug-and-play setup
Smart speed control
Plug-and-play setup
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Grundfos CUE VFD for excellent energy savings, smooth motor control and high reliability; a common caveat is initial setup complexity and a higher upfront cost that many say pays back over time."
Arena-savings wizard
Compact, pump-focused VFD with easy-to-use interface ideal for limited-space pump rooms in barns
Arena-savings wizard
Compact, pump-focused VFD with easy-to-use interface ideal for limited-space pump rooms in barns
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Grundfos CUE VFD is a compact, pump-aware variable frequency drive that provides flexible motor compatibility, robust pump protection and straightforward programming for barn water supplies and pressure systems. Compared with integrated pump-drive products such as Franklin's SubDrive or Goulds' Aquavar SOLO 2, the CUE typically has a lower upfront price and wider retrofit applicability, making it a cost-effective choice when facilities need to pair a best-in-class drive with existing equestrian motors.
Smart speed control
Plug-and-play setup
Arena-savings wizard
Compact, pump-focused VFD with easy-to-use interface ideal for limited-space pump rooms in barns
Advanced pump control algorithms and PID capability for stable pressure/flow to troughs and wash areas
Smart speed control
Plug-and-play setup
Arena-savings wizard
Compact, pump-focused VFD with easy-to-use interface ideal for limited-space pump rooms in barns
Advanced pump control algorithms and PID capability for stable pressure/flow to troughs and wash areas
$800-2500 CAD
Goulds Aquavar SOLO 2
Goulds Aquavar SOLO 2 is a single-pump variable speed controller engineered for simple, energy-efficient pressure and flow control in small-to-medium equestrian watering and washdown systems. Its plug-and-play setup and pump-protection features deliver rapid payback versus standard fixed-speed pumps, and it strikes a middle ground between the turnkey ease of Berkeley booster packages and the broader motor compatibility of standalone VFDs like the Grundfos CUE.
Integrated VFD simplicity
Pressure-perfect riding
Integrated VFD simplicity
Pressure-perfect riding
Review Summary
"The Goulds Aquavar SOLO 2 is widely regarded for simple, reliable constant-pressure control and easy integration with pump systems, though some users mention a dated interface and limited communication options on older units."
Load-shifting saver
Purpose-built single-pump drive with simple commissioning for barn and stable water systems
Load-shifting saver
Purpose-built single-pump drive with simple commissioning for barn and stable water systems
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Goulds Aquavar SOLO 2 is a single-pump variable speed controller engineered for simple, energy-efficient pressure and flow control in small-to-medium equestrian watering and washdown systems. Its plug-and-play setup and pump-protection features deliver rapid payback versus standard fixed-speed pumps, and it strikes a middle ground between the turnkey ease of Berkeley booster packages and the broader motor compatibility of standalone VFDs like the Grundfos CUE.
Integrated VFD simplicity
Pressure-perfect riding
Load-shifting saver
Purpose-built single-pump drive with simple commissioning for barn and stable water systems
Comprehensive pump protection and monitoring to prevent downtime in critical equine water supply
Integrated VFD simplicity
Pressure-perfect riding
Load-shifting saver
Purpose-built single-pump drive with simple commissioning for barn and stable water systems
Comprehensive pump protection and monitoring to prevent downtime in critical equine water supply
$1000-3000 CAD
Berkeley BPDHH Booster Pump System
The Berkeley BPDHH Booster Pump System is a packaged multistage booster with integrated drives designed to provide consistent pressure across large stables, wash bays and irrigation loops with minimal engineering. Its financial advantage comes from reduced installation and commissioning costs compared with assembling separate pumps and drives, making it attractive for equestrian facilities that need reliable, space-efficient pressure boosting even if it lacks the advanced telemetry and analytics of higher-end VFDs like Pentair's Intellidrive.
Instant pressure boost
Rugged barn-ready
Instant pressure boost
Rugged barn-ready
Review Summary
"Buyers like the Berkeley BPDHH Booster Pump System for compact booster performance and consistent pressure in residential/commercial settings, but common complaints include noise, occasional durability issues, and mixed experiences with service."
Low-maintenance gusto
Packaged booster pump system with integrated controls and VFD for reliable pressure to multiple troughs
Low-maintenance gusto
Packaged booster pump system with integrated controls and VFD for reliable pressure to multiple troughs
Time-Saving Convenience
Eco-Friendly Living
The Berkeley BPDHH Booster Pump System is a packaged multistage booster with integrated drives designed to provide consistent pressure across large stables, wash bays and irrigation loops with minimal engineering. Its financial advantage comes from reduced installation and commissioning costs compared with assembling separate pumps and drives, making it attractive for equestrian facilities that need reliable, space-efficient pressure boosting even if it lacks the advanced telemetry and analytics of higher-end VFDs like Pentair's Intellidrive.
Instant pressure boost
Rugged barn-ready
Low-maintenance gusto
Packaged booster pump system with integrated controls and VFD for reliable pressure to multiple troughs
Automated staging and pressure maintenance to handle peak demands in busy equestrian facilities
Instant pressure boost
Rugged barn-ready
Low-maintenance gusto
Packaged booster pump system with integrated controls and VFD for reliable pressure to multiple troughs
Automated staging and pressure maintenance to handle peak demands in busy equestrian facilities
$1200-3500 CAD
Pentair Pentek Intellidrive VFD
Pentair's Pentek Intellidrive VFD is a market-leading drive offering advanced diagnostics, harmonic mitigation, and IoT-enabled telemetry for performance optimization and long-term energy management in large equestrian operations. Although it carries a premium price compared with simpler drives or packaged booster systems, its detailed energy reporting, remote control and preventative maintenance features deliver superior operational savings and predictive uptime compared with the more basic Franklin, Goulds and Berkeley offerings.
Variable-speed smarts
Pool-to-paddock flexible
Variable-speed smarts
Pool-to-paddock flexible
Review Summary
"Users report the Pentair Pentek Intellidrive VFD delivers good energy efficiency and flexible control for pump and pool applications, though some find the documentation and customer support lacking and setup can be finicky."
Efficiency-first design
Flexible variable-speed drive compatible with a range of motors used in barns and paddock water systems
Efficiency-first design
Flexible variable-speed drive compatible with a range of motors used in barns and paddock water systems
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Pentair's Pentek Intellidrive VFD is a market-leading drive offering advanced diagnostics, harmonic mitigation, and IoT-enabled telemetry for performance optimization and long-term energy management in large equestrian operations. Although it carries a premium price compared with simpler drives or packaged booster systems, its detailed energy reporting, remote control and preventative maintenance features deliver superior operational savings and predictive uptime compared with the more basic Franklin, Goulds and Berkeley offerings.
Variable-speed smarts
Pool-to-paddock flexible
Efficiency-first design
Flexible variable-speed drive compatible with a range of motors used in barns and paddock water systems
Programmable setpoints and remote control options for managing water delivery across horse facilities
Variable-speed smarts
Pool-to-paddock flexible
Efficiency-first design
Flexible variable-speed drive compatible with a range of motors used in barns and paddock water systems
Programmable setpoints and remote control options for managing water delivery across horse facilities
$700-2000 CAD