Solar pool pump. Explain it like I'm slow

[CRXPilot]

...because I probably am. Can you help me design a simple solar arrangement where I can run this pump when the sun is shining?



I have run this using 115v for the last 2 years and it's a big draw. Using small words and pictures, can you show me how to simply run this pump while the sun shines on a set of solar panels? I'm not going to touch anything, order parts, nothing. Just hoping to learn so I understand.

Edit: This needs to be 100% solar-powered, not just solar triggered.

 

[TurnipTruck]

This is one of the examples I found after looking for “photo eye”

 

[CRXPilot]

Thank you. I edited my post to say I'd like this 100% solar powered.

 

[TurnipTruck]

Oof. That is a huge motor unless you have a $10K+ solar power system.
A thermosiphon system may do what you need without electricity.

 

[rsanter]

first, how many solar panels do you have? or are you buying the panels for this?

next you will need a small inverter that has an output compairable to the draw of that motor.
then you need to connect the number of panels required to feed the motor

other method:
they make solar pool pump systems that use a DC motor and a few panels and there is no converter. this is what I would recomend.
take a look at the commercial systems and see what size motor and how many panels that they are using and this will give you a good start.

typically to save money they are using a smaller DC motor that will give you lower flow rate but they make up for it with the increased number or hours that it will be running.
when you select the motor you are going to use, you then get the number of panels that are required to match up to the watts rating of the motor.
sun hits the panels and the motor will start to run, sun goes down and the motor stops

if you already have solar then if you run during the day then technically you are running off the solar with the regular house system and you may need to add to your system if you are not generating enough

give some more information and ask some more questions and I can give a few more answers

 

[wyliesdiesels]

4.7a? thats not a huge draw.... but for solar power, you would need a very large system to power that on startup because of in-rush current. you would probably need a battery bank.... the cost just isnt worth it as the ROI would be many many many years.... unless of course your electric rate is astronomical...

 

[jeepxj]

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2 - 12v deep cycle batteries of your choice in series.

in theory.

 

[gpiggaz]

I looked into this before putting in my 7KW solar array. The cost is high and the payback is long at least in Arizona.
i got a quote from this place and it was I think nearly 2.5 K. for a 1HP system. Less the panels.

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[Skooterj]

4.7a? thats not a huge draw.... but for solar power, you would need a very large system to power that on startup because of in-rush current. you would probably need a battery bank.... the cost just isnt worth it as the ROI would be many many many years.... unless of course your electric rate is astronomical...

Says he is running it at 115, so 9.4 Amps. Label is weird though. Left label says 9.6 Amps at 240, right label says 4.7 Amps....

I had a solar quote for my house last year, pay back was 22 years.

 

[ycgoat]

Says he is running it at 115, so 9.4 Amps. Label is weird though. Left label says 9.6 Amps at 240, right label says 4.7 Amps....

I had a solar quote for my house last year, pay back was 22 years.

I think the Left label is referring to the max voltage and max current the motor can tolerate at the rated service factor the motor can see before damage to the motor occurs. That is how I interpreted the labels.

In addition to the extra power for start up (as mentioned above) you would have to convert the DC from the solar system to AC which is additional equipment and power losses.

 

[dcg9381]

Agree.. Bit Complicated. You'll need to store the power, convert it to AC, and have a low-voltage cut off. How long you can power it will depend on how many panels, how many batteries, and how much sunlight. 240 x 9 = 2.1KW. You'll want at least a 3KW system for any "charge"... And likely more like a 6 KW system (20 panels). $10k DIY, maybe...

 

[CRXPilot]

Thanks all so much. Good info

 

[Solarphil]

It’s not really practical to run *that* pump array-direct. First, it’s a split-phase AC motor, when you’d really want a DC motor for the simplest solution. Yes, there are some VFD style MPPT pump controllers that can run an AC centrifugal pump array-direct, but they’re designed to power three phase motors, because that‘s what works best with this type of application. Second, the nature of centrifugal pumps means a slight reduction in speed means a huge reduction in output. Pumps selected for solar application keep this in mind, so you have enough flow when the sun isn’t perfect. However it’s almost certain that wasn’t a design consideration when that pump was chosen for your pool, so you’d likely see substandard flow too much of the time.

If you absolutely need to run a pool pump with no grid involved, you’d do better working with a good solar designer that can select the right pump for your application, plus the array to drive it. However, if you just want to decrease the amount of money you pay running the pump you have now, consider adding a solar array and grid tie inverter, which will create enough energy to offset the energy consumed by your pump.