Advice for simple set up for solar pump

[mixed 57]

I have a 5,000 ltr tank and I want to pump to it from a nearby well, then use this for both domestic and garden. I'm looking for simplest solar pump set up to achieve this. If it was running 5-8 hrs a day, the pump wouldn't need much volume. Head is 6m - 8m.

 

Can anyone offer advice on thehe simplest set up for this? Something that could be added to later with other pumps and possibly batteries.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Crossy 27,042]

Do you have mains power on site?

 

If so, use it and a mains pump, your wallet will love you for it.

 

By all means supplement it with a couple of panels and a grid-tie inverter for the green feeling.

 

[mixed 57]

I would have to buy a pump. At the moment we are using town water, which is unreliable in the hot season. So I am looking to supplement as you've suggested. I understand simple solar pumps and panels are not that expensive?

[Crossy 27,042]

OK, how much volume do you think you actually need?

 

What sort of budget do you have in mind?

 

[Crossy 27,042]

This chap is cheap, no idea of the quality of course.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/solar-water-pump-qb-60-150w-dc12v-series-mtec-i1411606108-s3624822463.html

 

Add a 300W panel for about 3k Baht.

 

[mixed 57]

Thanks Crossy, I would need enough to pump 1,000 lts in about five hours.

Budget is basically as little as possible, while still being reliable and durable enough.

The pump you have posted looks interesting. Would I only need that and a panel?

 

Prices for panels vary a lot. A 300w can be as low as B1,850 (regular price) or for B3,190 I can get 330w, which apparently is a 60% discount.

 

First question would be exactly what is needed,

Second is how to work out if it's decent quality.

[bankruatsteve 1,804]

33 minutes ago, mixed said:

Second is how to work out if it's decent quality.

Chinese products can be with dodgy quality but seem to be getting more reliable.  MTEC has mostly good reviews.  But, a 1 month warranty might be an indication.

[Crossy 27,042]

It could be worth messaging the pump seller to ask what panel size they recommend.

 

The problem is that there are many variables including the amount of sunshine. 

 

I'd be tempted to add a 12V battery and a small charge controller to avoid over-powering the pump when the sun was really bright and allow the pump to keep pumping when the sun is hiding for a bit.

 

But of course this all adds cost.

 

How I would do it:-

 

For about the same money you can get a similar sized mains pump. No panel, battery etc. needed and it doesn't go to sleep with the sun. Add a float switch to stop it when the tank is full and you're good to go.

 

Then get a couple of cheap panels and a baby 1kW grid-tie inverter to offset your power bill even when the pump isn't pumping.

 

[SomchaiDIY 17]

Includes also item list in video

 

 

 

 

 

[Crossy 27,042]

3 minutes ago, SomchaiDIY said:

Includes also item list in video

 

Looks a handy system, any indication of cost??

[mixed 57]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

For about the same money you can get a similar sized mains pump. No panel, battery etc. needed and it doesn't go to sleep with the sun. Add a float switch to stop it when the tank is full and you're good to go.

The tank itself is stored energy, during the rainy season, when there's lots of clouds, the water will only be for household use. The cost may be similar to a mains pump and while there will only be a small saving on power bills, no outside inputs are needed, we will be self sufficient for water. Some days through the hot season there's no town water. Another thing is the well can run dry if we pump to fast, so slow pumping is best, with gravity fed to the house and garden.

[mixed 57]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

 

Looks a handy system, any indication of cost??

Somchai goes through the costs at 4;17.

2 x 340w solar panels = B7,450

Pump and  controller = B8,280

TOTAL = B15,730

 

The pump is 550w and without batteries will only work with the sun. My idea is to have a much cheaper system, the tank will fill slowly, but it around 3m high, so hopefully good pressure. The tank I got free, if I had to buy it then the system wouldn't be affordable.

[Crossy 27,042]

Back to the original pump we looked at, 300W panel, small battery, 12V charge controller.

 

The panel should run the pump on it's own, but I'd worry about over driving in bright sunshine. 

 

Try it and see.

[mixed 57]

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Try it and see.

I will take your advice and go for the controller. They are fairly cheap. So the system could be done for around B5k?

 

The only thing is getting decent hardware, it's very difficult to know with Lazada, going  by price doesn't work as sometimes the same item is being sold at half the price by others.

 

How about for solar cells? I know that mono is better. Is there anything else I need to look for, such as brands etc?

[Crossy 27,042]

1 minute ago, mixed said:

How about for solar cells? I know that mono is better. Is there anything else I need to look for, such as brands etc?

 

Much of a muchness really, I wouldn't bother paying extra for mono, you're not looking to get every last watt out of the system. We have a mix of cheapo and mid-priced panels, they all seem to perform pretty well.

 

By the way, don't be tempted to run your solar controller without a battery, many of them emit the Magic Smoke if connected like that.