Archman Posted April 4, 2022 Posted April 4, 2022 Good day, I am looking at using solar panels to power my 3 phase submersible pump. I have spoken to suppliers and it is apparently quite straightforward to adapt the 3 phase AC pump to run of solar panels directly. What I would like to find out is; as the system is now with my current water floe, the pump will run maybe 1 hour each day. Is there some way of using these panels to charge batteries during the times that the pump is not using the power. The agent here says it is impossible to do it automatically and that you would need to have a changeover and do it manually. Why can there not be a simple two way switch that is activated by the float switch in the tank (as it is set up now) and instead of turning the power flow off when the tank is full it merely re-directs it to charge the batteries? Quote
KLEVA Posted April 4, 2022 Posted April 4, 2022 Hi & Welcome 1. Is there a way you can draw a picture of your anticipated solar -> 3phase invertor -> pump switch/float switch -> pump, or even of your current setup, without solar panels? 2. Will the 3phase invertor be connected to batteries? If not, what will the batteries be connected to (to use power)? 3. How far away are the systems (batteries to pump switch/float switch)? Assume they must be close if the installer is suggesting a manual changeover switch? Now some of my thoughts: If the installer seems to think that a manual changeover switch can be used, then there is definately an automated solution that can be built. For simplicity I use an old laptop to control my automation, because I am a software developer, but there might even be a purely manual solution... Using a few car relays and at least one signal from your float sensor (stealing a bit of power from one or more of the batteries - so getting a battery balancing system will help ensure you don't have imbalances), you can easily set up a small electrical setup for all the triggers you need. You may have to get a Victron charger (I say Victron cause the are the best, but not cheap) to control the flow to your batteries and convert some of the high voltage DC to charging AC. There is no way this is an impossible task, it just might not be cost effective. So provide what you can and lets see what we can suggest with more info. Quote
KLEVA Posted April 4, 2022 Posted April 4, 2022 Oh, last thought - Is your submersible pump definately 3phase, and not maybe just using one phase of a household 3 phase supply. It must be quite big if using 3 phase, so if you can send specs of the motor as well. Quote
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