Re: [RE-wrenches] low head/low cost solar pump

[Allan Sindelar]

Dave and Mac, The 2088 would certainly work as well if the desired flow is low enough. They are rated 2.8 gpm at open discharge, but that goes down quickly to under 2 gpm at pressure. Your app is close to open discharge, but running 12V array direct would likely reduce output to (17/26 X 2.8 =) about 1.8 gpm max. Is that enough? Certainly cheaper; while designed for intermittent duty as a pressurizing pump, it would certainly last longer at lower voltage and speed. I have never tried running one all day, to know how long it would last. It's somewhat rebuildable (order a "diaphragm/drive kit" and a "valve kit" for the owner if you go this route; replacement motors aren't available). Cheap enough, too, to be considered disposable; just not my preferred route to advise a customer. Allan Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Positive Energy, Inc. 3201 Calle Marie Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 www.positiveenergysolar.com On 2/24/2012 10:21 AM, David Katz wrote: Mac, The cheapest pump to do this job is the LVM Amazon, which is made in England, will pump 3 or 4 GPM at 10 feet of head and costs around $70.  They are made to run on a 12 volt battery and cannot handle more than 14 volts, so a small battery and controller are required.  You can use a low cost regulator and a relay powered by the module to only run the pump when the sun is shining.   If you use a Surflo 2088, use the 24 volt version with a nominal 12 volt 36 cell module array direct.  This way the pump never sees too high of a voltage.  It will operate at 17 to 18 volts, pump slightly less then spec says at 24 volt, but since it is positive displacement it will pump fine at the low voltage.    David Katz CTO & Founder AEE Solar Inc P: 707 825-1200 F: 707 825-1202 dk...@aeesolar.com www.aeesolar.com DISCLAIMER: This communication, along with any documents, files or attachments, is intended for the use of only the addressee and contains privileged and confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of any information contained in or attached to this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail reply and destroy the original communication and its attachments without reading, printing or saving in any manner.     From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of mac Lewis Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 7:50 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] low head/low cost solar pump   Hi wrenches,   I am looking for a relatively low cost solar pumping system.  The system has about 10 ft of elevation head and he just wants to water his garden which is about 200' away horizontally.  It can either be a submersible pump or a pump that can produce some suction.  Any experience with this?  Everything I've looked at thus far has been overkill and/or fairly expensive.   Thanks   --       Mac Lewis "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates   _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org

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