Solar Water Pump System

This set up supplies our house and also supplements the farm system. Solar panels power a Dankoff Slow Pump directly via a controller (no batteries). This system feeds a storage tank mounted on a stand from where it gravity feeds to house and farm. Pump is protected by filter and foot valve on suction line and is turned on and off as the water level raises and lowers. Filters need changing about 2-3 times a year and pump runs trouble free for at least 8 years. This is the third pump installed on this spring and we renovated the spring box this time using concrete panels and a proper lid as it was about 20years since the original spring box was made from timber. The water is very clear and seeps out through sand and gravels.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar pump
• water system
• dankoff slow pump
• spring water
• house water supply

[darrenpkruse]

Hi,

how are the porous concrete panels working out ? Are you worried that they will sediment up ?

I'm in the process of getting a quote from energymatters for a Slowpump etc.

Did you buy your slowpump from those guys as well ?

How do you stop the pump when the water level goes down ?

Overall, looks like a very neat setup !

thanks,

darren

darren.kruse@gmail.com

[utopiafarm]

@darrenpkruse . Hi no problems with sediment but I think most water comes in bottom rather than sides. Slowpump came from the guys that make them, Innovative Solar Solutions in Santa Fe USA. They sent it to me in New Zealand no problems. Pump starts and stops using 2 electrodes and an earth wire, when both electrodes are covered by water, pump starts and pumps down till second electrode is exposed, these are set so that the pump cannot run dry.

[InTheSticks0001]

Good to see this example and the long term results you've had. I'll be installing mine soon. Thank you.

[darrenpkruse]

@utopiafarm aah that's an interesting setup with exposing the electrodes being the method - very basic but foolproof !

I'll track down those guys in Santa Fe. They can probably do it cheaper than the Oz distributor.

ps I *thought* I detected a Kiwi accent !

thanks for posting and replying.

darren

[michael970]

looks like a great setup nice job.TAKE CARE