Hi 

I have a small pool (5m x 3m) and the AC pump is on its last legs.

I am thinking of replacing with a DC Solar Pool pump system like this:

https://tripplehydro-energy.co.za/store/500W-Spitfire-Solar-Pool-Pump-p486390423/?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=shp&utm_network=x&utm_mobile=0&utm_creative=&utm_position=&utm_random=9500005138093320644&gclid=CjwKCAiAzp6eBhByEiwA_gGq5IddvU_2X7SrERwosRFxBYbBUV3L47WCvCTrK8FXB9xvCNwWNMT19xoCJ0gQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=smart shopping - za (1)&utm_ad_group_id=962217&utm_campaign_id=1002462&utm_prod_id=486390423

Anyone installed something like this? Any advice or shared experiences would be appreciated

A 1KW AC pool pump running 6 hours / day = R18/day R6750/year. So this system would pay for itself within 2 years so seems like a no brainer unless I am missing something?

TIA

I explored this myself. Pumps were much more then. 
 

But then realised that going solar with a hybrid inverter for your house gets you there plus the benefits of having solar for the rest of your house. 
 

I run my pool 4 times a week. From 10:00. My 2,4kw panels is then enough to charge my batteries and run my pool pump. 
 

Bottom line, could not justify the expense only for a pool pump. 
 

From your link it is R10k. I know that is much less than a R100k system but can only do pool. 

Edited January 18, 20233 yr by daniemare

Hi Danie

thanks for the response. I agree with your point about a house system if you have nothing.

My current situation I have a small backup system for house (no solar) which is working fine, and need to replace the failing pool pump.

It would be nice to know if these DC pumps actually work ok, similar to an AC pump with the same rating.

I have a variable ac pool pump, when it prime it spikes for a few seconds, then for filtering low usage, for kreepy it ramps medium usage, so very efficient

Might be an alternative to the DC pump

 

 

So @Brendonvdh you have a 1kw pump at the moment, typical 1kw performance is +-

These are the performance ratings for the DC pumps from their website

So you if you want the same sort of performance from your new pool pump you are going to need to get the 900W pump which will still be a bit short but close enough IMO

You said that you run your pool currently for 4 days a week for 10hrs? 

if so = +- 160hrs a month x 1.1kw = 176kw/hr a month saving

Assuming that you are on Joburg City Power residential prepaid @ the highest block rate i.e. = R2.72 per kw/hr 

So saving on your pool power would be Approx R480 per month. 

900W DC pool pump including Panels etc = R15,595 = 33 months to pay for itself 

Not a bad ROI IMO. 

There are some assumptions in respects to the power costs that I suggest you adjust to your specific scenario but worth having a look at.

 

 

 

Sry, just reading back,  I see the pump usage figures were from @daniemare not yourself, still seems like a not bad deal. 

I'd start by checking with a pool shop or pool expert if a 1kW pool pump is the correct size for your 5x3 pool. Personally I think it's overkill. High-level thumbsuck without knowing the depth of the pool, you could get your water turned over 3 times a day over 6 hours using a 0.45kW pump and that might be enough. That could mean your electricity costs could be halved and payback period doubled relative to your estimates by comparing the solar option to a more suitable pump size.

On 2023/01/20 at 5:14 PM, Sc00bs said:

So @Brendonvdh you have a 1kw pump at the moment, typical 1kw performance is +-

These are the performance ratings for the DC pumps from their website

So you if you want the same sort of performance from your new pool pump you are going to need to get the 900W pump which will still be a bit short but close enough IMO

You said that you run your pool currently for 4 days a week for 10hrs? 

if so = +- 160hrs a month x 1.1kw = 176kw/hr a month saving

Assuming that you are on Joburg City Power residential prepaid @ the highest block rate i.e. = R2.72 per kw/hr 

So saving on your pool power would be Approx R480 per month. 

900W DC pool pump including Panels etc = R15,595 = 33 months to pay for itself 

Not a bad ROI IMO. 

There are some assumptions in respects to the power costs that I suggest you adjust to your specific scenario but worth having a look at.

 

 

 

Hi Scoobs

Thanks for the reply. Yes agreed it does seem to have a good ROI and seems a no brainer considering I need to replace my AC pump.

My only concern is there is some performance or reliability issue with a DC pump. I have googled for reviews etc and not found anything

Was hoping to find a forum member here who had installed a DC pool pump and could share their results.

 

On 2023/01/20 at 5:23 PM, GreenFields said:

I'd start by checking with a pool shop or pool expert if a 1kW pool pump is the correct size for your 5x3 pool. Personally I think it's overkill. High-level thumbsuck without knowing the depth of the pool, you could get your water turned over 3 times a day over 6 hours using a 0.45kW pump and that might be enough. That could mean your electricity costs could be halved and payback period doubled relative to your estimates by comparing the solar option to a more suitable pump size.

Hi Greenfield. 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes 1kw pump is overkill for my pool, it was installed by the previous owner. 

Even if I halve the electricity costs then payback is 4 years which is still attractive