Solar timer

[Chriskitson]

We have a small off-grid farm in Montagu, South Africa that we can only visit every 2nd weekend. I have a 1.1kw submersible pump that is powered by 9 panels. At this stage, when I turn it on it runs when the sun comes up and switches off when the sun disappears. Normally when we go there, we turn the borehole on when we arrive and then I use taps to direct water to a tank and to various other spots. I don't want to run the borehole all the time while away, waste of water. But would like to run it for maybe an hour a day to keep ponds topped up for animals and grass and trees that we plant alive.Is there a way of controlling that start and stop so that while I'm away, it can operate independently. Perhaps a battery operated switch to turn the box on and off. Remote control would be complicated as Wifi is non-existent. I would eventually like to install stations to water specific areas. I have battery operated control valves for that. Thanks

[bob-n]

Here is a low-cost timer that can run from a 12V battery and switch up to 16A 250VAC. It sounds like it will do what you need, depending on the exact requirements of switching that pump.
https://www.amazon.com/JVR-Programma.../dp/B00WR0ELCO
If the pump is 1.1kW at 240VAC, then it may only need <10 amps. But if it is a low-voltage pump, it will need higher current switching.

[Mike90250]

Be sure to include a reliable scheme to recharge the battery, some chargers reset when input power is lost. You don't want the timer battery to run flat and not activate the pump

[Chriskitson]

Bob and Mike, thanks. I have attached a pic of the controller thats been installed. Is it possible with this?Solar controller.jpg

[bob-n]

The box on the right is made by Calpeds Subtech. That's a pump company, so that's probably the pump controller. That's as much as I can make out from the right side device. My guess is that the black cable goes to the pump.

I can't read anything on the box on the left. It must be some sort of inverter, with the bottom left red & black wires going to the panels and the wires between boxes being the output of the inverter.

I think that you would connect the timer in series with one of the hot wires between the two boxes (not ground). In addition, you need a battery to power the timer and as Mike said, you either need to replace the battery periodically or use a rechargable battery and add a battery charger. I think that it uses very little power, so you might be able to run it with one non-rechargable battery for a year or more. The website claims 10 year battery life, but I'm skeptical.

If you're not really knowledgable about high voltage wiring, get an electrician (also known as a wireman) to do this for you.

[Mike90250]

You need to see what your manuals say. I can't tell anything from a pic, unless I have the same gear.

[Chriskitson]

Hi guys

Thanks for the responses. Just for further info I took more detailed pics of the box. Hope this helps a bit more. Thanks
2.jpg1.jpg
3.jpg

[Ampster]

Did you have any luck finding a manual?