Answers to the questions farmers ask us most about BTCO starters for submersible and borewell pumps: which starter fits your motor, how the protections work, what the display messages mean, and how to control your motor from your phone. Most answers have a short video in English, Kannada or Telugu from our YouTube channel.
- Choosing the right starter
- Protection and automatic restart
- Mobile control and the app
- Price, dealers and warranty
Choosing the right starter
Which BTCO starter do I need for my motor?
It depends on your motor and your power supply. Single cable 3 phase motors up to 10 HP use the DOL starter. Double cable motors from 7.5 to 30 HP use the Star Delta starter. If your village gets juice line (series line) or 2 phase power, choose the Combined DOL or Combined Star Delta starter. Single phase motors (2, 3 or 5 HP) use the Single Phase starter. Tell us your motor’s HP and supply when you call and we’ll confirm the right one.
DOL or star delta: which starter does my motor need?
Bigger motors draw a very high current if they are switched straight on. A star delta starter first runs the motor in star, which takes much less current, then switches to delta for full power. This is easier on the motor, the cable and the supply. Single cable motors up to 10 HP use a DOL starter; double cable motors from 7.5 HP upwards are made for star delta starting.
▶ Video, how to set the star delta (SD) delay: English · Kannada · Telugu
What is a juice line, and can a BTCO starter run my motor on it?
In many villages, for some hours of the day the 3 phase supply is reduced: one line comes in at around 300 V and the other two are very low. This is called juice line or series line. The Combined DOL starter runs 3 phase motors up to 10 HP on juice line, 2 phase and 3 phase supply. The Combined Star Delta starter runs motors from 7.5 to 25 HP on 2 phase and 3 phase, but on juice line only up to 10 HP, because running a bigger motor on juice line is not safe. Juice line is not the 220 V single phase supply at home: Combined starters do not run a motor on home supply.
▶ Video, how the Combined (1/2/3) starter works: Kannada
Do I need capacitors?
Only with the Combined starters, so the motor can run on juice line and 2 phase supply. BTCO capacitors are sold separately. The right ones depend on your motor and the supply conditions at your farm, so our dealer or technician will choose them when the starter is installed. The Single Phase starter already has its capacitors built in.
▶ Video, capacitor setup for 2 phase and juice line: Kannada
Protection and automatic restart
What protections does a BTCO starter have?
BTCO DOL and Star Delta starters protect your motor from single phasing, dry run, overload, earth fault and imbalance, cable or kit faults and leakage, and motor faults. This protection is done by the MPAU unit inside the starter. When it trips, the display tells you why, for example Dry Run Trip or Overload Trip.
▶ Video, how to set dry run protection: English · Kannada · Telugu
Does the motor start again by itself when power comes back?
Yes. When power comes back, the starter waits for the auto start delay you have set (5 to 240 seconds on DOL, Star Delta and Combined starters) and then starts the motor on its own. You don’t need to go to the pump.
▶ Video, how to set the auto start delay: English · Kannada · Telugu
Does the motor start again by itself after a dry run trip?
Yes. You set a dry restart time on the starter. After a dry run trip it waits for that time, so the borewell can refill, and then starts the motor again on its own.
▶ Short video: cyclic timer or dry restart time, what is the difference?
Do I need to set the overload amps myself?
No. The first time the starter is connected to your motor, it learns the motor’s normal current and sets the overload trip amps by itself. You can also reset the trip amps later if needed.
▶ Video, how to reset the overload trip amps: English · Kannada · Telugu
What do the error messages on the starter display mean?
Most messages mean a protection has worked correctly, not that the starter is faulty. Mains Problem: single phasing on the HT or LT line. Ground / Imbalance: an earth fault or uneven current. Overload Trip: the motor drew more current than it should. Dry Run Trip: the motor ran without water. Check Cable / Kit: a problem in the motor cable or the contactor kit. Instrument Fault (INST): a part inside the starter has a problem; call us. Each video below shows how to clear the message.
Error videos in English: Mains Problem · Ground / Imbalance · Overload Trip · Dry Run Trip · Check Cable / Kit · INST fault. In Kannada and Telugu on our videos page. Combined starters: error codes and solutions (Kannada).
Can the starter run the motor on a timer?
Yes. DOL and Star Delta starters come with or without timers. The timer variant has a normal timer (run for set hours), a cyclic timer (ON for a set time, OFF for a set time, again and again) and an RTC timer (start at a set time of day). Combined starters have no built-in timers: add the GSM Module and set timers in the free BTCO Starters app instead.
▶ Video, how to set the cyclic timer: English · Kannada · Telugu
Mobile control and the app
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Can I control my starter from my phone?
Yes. Fit the BTCO GSM Module to any BTCO starter and it becomes a mobile starter. Switch the motor ON or OFF with the free BTCO Starters app or by SMS from any phone, and get alerts for power cut, power restored, motor started, motor stopped, and dry run or overload trips with the reason. The module works on 4G with a SIM card inside it, so there must be mobile network at the pump. Missed-call control is not available.
▶ Video, complete mobile app guide: Kannada · Telugu
I already have a BTCO starter. Can I add mobile control?
Yes, if your starter was bought in January 2024 or later. If you bought it in early 2024 or before, call us before buying the GSM Module and we will check whether it fits your starter.
Is the app free, and does it work on iPhone?
Yes, the app is free for life, with no subscription. On Android, get the BTCO Starters app free on Google Play. iPhone users use the BTCO web app at app.btcostarters.com. Family members and farm helpers can be added as users of a starter. See everything the app can do.
Price, dealers and warranty
How do I get the price, and where can I buy?
Call or WhatsApp us with your motor’s HP and your power supply, and we’ll tell you the right starter and its price. You can buy at BTCO Starters dealers across Karnataka: find your nearest sales and service centre. Payment is made at the sales point, usually by cash or UPI. We don’t send starters by courier.
What warranty do I get?
One year from the date of sale against manufacturing defects for starters (covering the MPAU unit inside) and for the GSM Module, and six months for capacitors. Wiring, contactors and connectors inside the panel are not covered. Keep the warranty sticker safe: a claim can be made only if it is intact. Warranty servicing can be done at our service centres. Read the full warranty.
Watch and follow BTCO Starters
Our videos page has every setup and error video in English, Kannada and Telugu. For new videos, product launches and farmer stories, follow BTCO Starters on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. A few short videos to start with:
- Step by step: activate your BTCO mobile control unit
- Control your motor starter from anywhere with the BTCO app
- Auto Switch, now in the BTCO Starters app
- Meet the BTCO team at the Krishi Mela in Dharwad
Still have a question?
Call or WhatsApp us, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., or visit your nearest BTCO Starters dealer. Tell us your motor’s HP and your power supply and we’ll help you choose.
