1/4 hp pool pump on solar

[onmy6]

Hello,

I have seen others wanting to run a 1.5 hp pool pump on off grid solar, but what about a 1/4 hp 3 amp 230V pool pump on PV and inverter. No batteries just when there is sun it runs no sun no run. Very small 4000 gal pool. Where we are here in southern FL we loose power all the time anyway so I will just take it off grid.
Will it work?
Pat

[Sunking]

No it will not work and would be very foolish to take off grid as the power will cost you some 10 times more than what you are paying for it now.
There are some DC pumps out there made to run directly off solar. But there is no saving involved for you are the cost of the panels and pump will never pay for itself.

[SunEagle]

Hello,

I have seen others wanting to run a 1.5 hp pool pump on off grid solar, but what about a 1/4 hp 3 amp 230V pool pump on PV and inverter. No batteries just when there is sun it runs no sun no run. Very small 4000 gal pool. Where we are here in southern FL we loose power all the time anyway so I will just take it off grid.
Will it work?
Pat

The problem ( besides being expensive) is that a DC motor set up to directly run off of a solar panel will not run the same speed depending on the amount of sunlight. That may be a problem if you need a certain GPM to properly circulate the pool water through a filter. You could add a battery to the system but that brings up the price. Without a constant current source you will stall the pump and not get the circulation you want.

I have two attic fans that each run directly off a 10 watt solar panel. I have seen them change speed depending on the sunlight. Even though they do not run at a consistent speed they do provide enough air flow to remove the heat build up in my attic.

[onmy6]

I love your attic fan idea, I will look into that, thanks. So don't even bother with adding some batteries and running the little pump?
Pat

[SunEagle]

I love your attic fan idea, I will look into that, thanks. So don't even bother with adding some batteries and running the little pump?
Pat

If the pool was located out in the boondocks and you had no utility power then it might be worth while.

As of now it is much cheaper to run your pump from the house power than from a solar battery system.

It will also be cheaper to run it from a generator than a battery system.

[Datacruncher]

Not cost feasible

No it will not work and would be very foolish to take off grid as the power will cost you some 10 times more than what you are paying for it now.
There are some DC pumps out there made to run directly off solar. But there is no saving involved for you are the cost of the panels and pump will never pay for itself.

Onmy6, I believe Sunking is correct. I worked the calcs for California and it seemed to make sense with a 3-5 year net return on investment, but thats at an average price of 0.175 $/kwh. It would take about 6 panels. Then I ran it by someone and they felt if you put it On-Grid you could utilize any excess generation which made sense(cents). I was just in Florida last week and looked at my brothers bill, you guys only play an average of $0.10/kwh. That would draw out your NRI out very long. So I concur with Sunk that its more cost effective to use your local power company. You may want to look into getting a newer more efficient pump if your current pump is an old energy hog.

[onmy6]

Thank You for the help !! I will leave well enough alone Now to solar power my new pond !! Do you think a 1200 gph DC bilge or livewell pump run for for 4 hours a day hooked up to a panel directly would do the trick?
Pat

[SunEagle]

Thank You for the help !! I will leave well enough alone Now to solar power my new pond !! Do you think a 1200 gph DC bilge or livewell pump run for for 4 hours a day hooked up to a panel directly would do the trick?
Pat

The sponsor of Solar Panel Talk does sell solar pumps of various sizes and shapes. Here is the link to their equipment.

http://www.solartown.com/store/catalog/solar-water-pumps/

[Mike90250]

Most bilge pumps are brush type motors, and have shorter lifetimes. Some are made for intermittent duty only.

[SunEagle]

Thank You for the help !! I will leave well enough alone Now to solar power my new pond !! Do you think a 1200 gph DC bilge or livewell pump run for for 4 hours a day hooked up to a panel directly would do the trick?
Pat

The Solar Panel Talk sponsor sells solar pumping systems. Check out the website.

http://www.solartown.com/store/catalog/solar-water-pumps/

[SunEagle]

I have tried twice to respond to onmy6 post about a solar water pump. I mentioned that this websites sponsor sells solar water pumps. I also attached a link with the Solar Town Catalog for solar water pumps. For some reason neither post made it.

Did I do something incorrect by adding the link?

[Mike90250]

The Solar Panel Talk sponsor sells solar pumping systems. Check out the website.

http://www.solartown.com/store/catal...r-water-pumps/

I see this post ????

[russ]

The Solar Panel Talk sponsor sells solar pumping systems. Check out the website.

http://www.solartown.com/store/catal...r-water-pumps/

I see it also.