Solar Pumps General FAQ

A solar pump is designed to run directly off solar panels without the need to use batteries or mains power. The controllers supplied with the pumps can vary the speed of the motor, which will in turn increase and decrease the flow rate according to the output from the solar panels.

You do not need to add batteries in order for this pump to work. However, the 3rd Gen controllers have a battery function built in, so adding batteries at a later stage is entirely possible.

Our standard controllers do not have a direct AC input for mains or generator power. However, the pump can be powered by means of a separate DC power supply that converts the AC power to supply the controller with the correct voltage and amperage for the pump to operate. Alternatively, view our Hybrid pump range which handles both natively!

You can increase the panel power (wattage) provided to the controller, but you must make sure that the voltage input to the controller remains within its hard limits. The additional power will not increase the peak maximum flow rate; however, it will allow the pump to run more efficiently during the early mornings, late afternoons, and during cloudy days.

The solar pumps use a 3-core cable and it needs to be sized correctly based on the size of the solar pump as well as the total cable distance. Because these pumps operate on lower DC voltages, the cable size required is typically larger/thicker than standard AC pumps to prevent performance loss due to voltage drop over long distances.

No. The motors that we use are brushless AC low-voltage motors. The only wearable parts on the motors are the bearings and mechanical seals, exactly like normal AC motors.

The solar pumps operate on low voltage, so extending the cable too far will cause a voltage drop and affect performance unless very thick cables are used. We do not recommend extending the cable more than 100-120m depending on the size and voltage of the pump. It is best to increase the cable length between the controller and the pump, while keeping the cables between the controller and the solar panels as short as possible to get the best efficiency.

It is possible to run the pump directly off of a battery bank from an existing solar setup. You will just need to make sure that the voltage of your battery bank falls strictly within the input range of the pump's controller.

"Head" refers to the maximum vertical height above the pump that the water needs to be pushed. This calculation also must account for the friction losses over the horizontal distance the water needs to be pumped.

Yes, the 3rd Gen controllers come standard with a speed adjustment dial, allowing you to reduce the speed of the motor if needed to lower the flow rate.

The probes are used to protect the motor from running dry. On borehole pumps, it is highly advised to make use of them. However, on swimming pool pumps where the water source is constant, they are not strictly needed.

The easiest way to determine this is to add 30% on top of the pump wattage for the minimum requirements, though 60% is recommended. For example: A 500W pump requires a minimum of 650W of solar panels, but 800W is recommended to operate optimally throughout the day.