Hi guys. I need a backup solution to run a thirsty 800-1000w water pressure pump. I want to try get this thing onto solar too. I'm looking at a 1500w inverter, 12v if possible. Running watts for this pump sits at around 800, startup assuming 1kva.

Is 12v going to be pushing the limits? Should I rather get 24? Additionally, I'd love to know how many solar panels I'd need (not installed solar before). Thanks

27 minutes ago, Dal2000 said:

Hi guys. I need a backup solution to run a thirsty 800-1000w water pressure pump. I want to try get this thing onto solar too. I'm looking at a 1500w inverter, 12v if possible. Running watts for this pump sits at around 800, startup assuming 1kva.

Is 12v going to be pushing the limits? Should I rather get 24? Additionally, I'd love to know how many solar panels I'd need (not installed solar before). Thanks

24v would be a bit more efficient and the choice on inverter will be a bit better at 24v.
Most likely 3kw or higher spec inverter would be better suited and would/should allow more solar panels, aim for about 2000 watts solar panels.
Make sure about your startup amps before starting to look at inverter specs. Or maybe add a slow/soft starter to the motor.

I am sure more forum folk who are more knowledgeable about motors should be able to better guide you nicely.

Edited December 11, 20232 yr by WannabeSolarSparky

I would strongly recommend to go 24V at least. And - do you only need water during blackouts? What about lights and TV? I would think about at least 3kW inverter. Higher powered inverters also come with higher power MPPT, can accommodate more PVs.

In order to size future PV you would have to meter the pumps daily energy consumption. Summarize the time it's running and multiply with 500W.

4 minutes ago, Beat said:

I would strongly recommend to go 24V at least. And - do you only need water during blackouts? What about lights and TV? I would think about at least 3kW inverter. Higher powered inverters also come with higher power MPPT, can accommodate more PVs.

In order to size future PV you would have to meter the pumps daily energy consumption. Summarize the time it's running and multiply with 500W.

It's just the water pressure pump. Lights could work too but the more I add the more battery is going ah is required. My budget is 20k which is already probably too low. I need the pressure pump to run 2 hours minimum. 200ah lithium might only just cut it? Though I was hoping daytime the panels would do some heavy lifting.

1 hour ago, Dal2000 said:

It's just the water pressure pump. Lights could work too but the more I add the more battery is going ah is required. My budget is 20k which is already probably too low. I need the pressure pump to run 2 hours minimum. 200ah lithium might only just cut it? Though I was hoping daytime the panels would do some heavy lifting.

I have run a Dab Jet 132M pump 1kw 220v motor on a Victron Multiplus 24v 1600va(1300w) inverter on start up the overload light comes on for less the 0.5sec then runs without problems. Stop /started the pump 10 times consecutively without a problem. The Multiplus has a surge rating of 2800w so if you should get a 24v Voltronic type 3kva inverter with decent mppt range you should be good. The Rct 3kva Vm3 surge power 6000va (5 sec) and has a decent mppt charge controller ( Voc 400v 4000w solar input). The amount and connection configuration of panels would be subject to your inverter and battery.

10 minutes ago, TaliaB said:

I have run a Dab Jet 132M pump 1kw 220v motor on a Victron Multiplus 24v 1600va(1300w) inverter on start up the overload light comes on for less the 0.5sec then runs without problems. Stop /started the pump 10 times consecutively without a problem. The Multiplus has a surge rating of 2800w so if you should get a 24v Voltronic type 3kva inverter with decent mppt range you should be good. The Rct 3kva Vm3 surge power 6000va (5 sec) and has a decent mppt charge controller ( Voc 400v 4000w solar input). The amount and connection configuration of panels would be subject to your inverter and battery.

Thanks mate appreciate it. I now just need to figure out how many panels I would need to run without having to use much if any AC during the day 

26 minutes ago, Dal2000 said:

Thanks mate appreciate it. I now just need to figure out how many panels I would need to run without having to use much if any AC during the day 

If the pump runs at 800w Ac on a 24v dc system you will be drawing 37 amp dc from the battery. To cover the pump and a bit more to charge the battery during partial cloudy days i will go with 4 x 500w panels. You could get away with 2 x 500w panels but that would just cover the pump during the hours it runs and leaving very little power to charge the battery should you need it, cutting it a bit close.

 

 

 

 

Please can you give more info on the water pump, it's pumping water to where and do you have a pressure tank on the system? Is it filling for example a Jojo tank and how many litres is this Jojo tank?

...maybe let me as you answer let me add my 2-cents: I have a 3kVa Inverter which MAXs out at 2400w continuous power is running my whole household, a 2-bed flat, 2 x Tvs, 1 -upright fridge, 1-Chest fridge/freezer and also a 0.75hp DAB water pump that pumps water into the house. Now on the pump side, I also have a 100litre pressure tank and on the PV side (Solar Panels) I have 3000w (12 x 250w) solar panels and can run my whole household off solar, and charging a 100ah lithium battery off-grid during the day (running off panels) The battery runs lights, water pump all the above mentioned stuff up to about 12pm after dark if Utility power isn't back. The inverter is 24v and that's the minimum I would recommend you go for:

• 24 V Inverter
• 3000w - total panels
• Pressure tank on the pump
• 100ah Lithium Battery (Minimum)

... this system has served me well since 2014.

Edited December 11, 20232 yr by Moffat

7 hours ago, Dal2000 said:

Hi guys. I need a backup solution to run a thirsty 800-1000w water pressure pump. I want to try get this thing onto solar too. I'm looking at a 1500w inverter, 12v if possible. Running watts for this pump sits at around 800, startup assuming 1kva.

Is 12v going to be pushing the limits? Should I rather get 24? Additionally, I'd love to know how many solar panels I'd need (not installed solar before). Thanks

As a general rule, you want to get the highest battery voltage possible if you are planning on going solar. The lower the battery voltage, the more beefy your MPPTs need to be, so a higher voltage equals a lower amp MPPT which is cheaper usually.

1 hour ago, Moffat said:

Please can you give more info on the water pump, it's pumping water to where and do you have a pressure tank on the system? Is it filling for example a Jojo tank and how many litres is this Jojo tank?

...maybe let me as you answer let me add my 2-cents: I have a 3kVa Inverter which MAXs out at 2400w continuous power is running my whole household, a 2-bed flat, 2 x Tvs, 1 -upright fridge, 1-Chest fridge/freezer and also a 0.75hp DAB water pump that pumps water into the house. Now on the pump side, I also have a 100litre pressure tank and on the PV side (Solar Panels) I have 3000w (12 x 250w) solar panels and can run my whole household off solar, and charging a 100ah lithium battery off-grid during the day (running off panels) The battery runs lights, water pump all the above mentioned stuff up to about 12pm after dark if Utility power isn't back. The inverter is 24v and that's the minimum I would recommend you go for:

• 24 V Inverter
• 3000w - total panels
• Pressure tank on the pump
• 100ah Lithium Battery (Minimum)

... this system has served me well since 2014.

So essentially it's a simple water pressure pump that sits between the water tanks and the house. If it doesn't work, we get no water. This is all I really wanted to power without getting a generator. It's a 1kva pressure pump, when running uses about 800 watts. Is a generator a better option perhaps?

4 minutes ago, Dal2000 said:

So essentially it's a simple water pressure pump that sits between the water tanks and the house. If it doesn't work, we get no water. This is all I really wanted to power without getting a generator. It's a 1kva pressure pump, when running uses about 800 watts. Is a generator a better option perhaps?

I don't think a generator is necessarily a better option than an inverter. But I do think you should also consider a pressure tank in your plumbing system. As in the example above of @Moffat if you have a 100l pressure tank, you have that much pressurized water on standby even before needing the pump to run again. Instead of running the pump up to two hours per day, you might end up running it just 4 times a day for 5-10 minutes to fill the pressure tank, and not switch your pump on fifty times a day for every glass of water or toilet flush or toothpaste mouthrinse.

If you're lucky you'll hardly need the pump during a 2-hour loadshedding stint.

But if you do, then you could go more lightweight on the panels and batteries if it's just for the pump. Or just use a generator for the odd occasion you need to. Not an in-depth analysis, just another line of thinking that could work for you.

1 hour ago, GreenFields said:

I don't think a generator is necessarily a better option than an inverter. But I do think you should also consider a pressure tank in your plumbing system. As in the example above of @Moffat if you have a 100l pressure tank, you have that much pressurized water on standby even before needing the pump to run again. Instead of running the pump up to two hours per day, you might end up running it just 4 times a day for 5-10 minutes to fill the pressure tank, and not switch your pump on fifty times a day for every glass of water or toilet flush or toothpaste mouthrinse.

If you're lucky you'll hardly need the pump during a 2-hour loadshedding stint.

But if you do, then you could go more lightweight on the panels and batteries if it's just for the pump. Or just use a generator for the odd occasion you need to. Not an in-depth analysis, just another line of thinking that could work for you.

I have a cheap Chinese knock-off inverter with specs below and my thinking is, you really don't need a generator if it's just for load shedding but you can also take advantage of the same inverter to power household loads, which then reduces your overall reliance as well as consumption with Eskom. Problem with generator is:

1. fuel will go up,
2. generator will need to be serviced,
3. generator will need to be turned on and off
4. generator comes with noise

You could get a very cheap Inverter, not necessarily any high-end brand & it'll do the trick very nicely and serve you well enough for years to come as well as the household. Increase battery size and you could literary be semi-off-grid for most days. Even in days when I have cloud cover, the inverter works and I've always had water as my tank is on the ground supplying water to the house. Without the inverter power, I don't have water to the household. A smaller inverter means it may be dedicated only to pumping water which in my humble view becomes a wasted investment where's a 3kVa can double up with household loads. My inverter also at times when I have load shedding I use and induction cooktop with 1600w and can cook and make a cup of tea... so am happier. Just want to go to 5kva so I can have a 48v system which improves efficiency. The important thing is having enough panels which allow you to run directly off solar and not necessarily your battery, hence my suggesting 3000w total panel array. For a battery am using also a Chinese brand called Bluecarbon, meaning I keep investments costs low and get immediate benefits. Hope that helps.

 

Edited December 11, 20232 yr by Moffat

16 minutes ago, Moffat said:

I have a cheap Chinese knock-off inverter with specs below and my thinking is, you really don't need a generator if it's just for load shedding but you can also take advantage of the same inverter to power household loads, which then reduces your overall reliance as well as consumption with Eskom. Problem with generator is:

1. fuel will go up,
2. generator will need to be serviced,
3. generator will need to be turned on and off
4. generator comes with noise

You could get a very cheap Inverter, not necessarily any high-end brand & it'll do the trick very nicely and serve you well enough for years to come as well as the household. Increase battery size and you could literary be semi-off-grid for most days. Even in days when I have cloud cover, the inverter works and I've always had water as my tank is on the ground supplying water to the house. Without the inverter power, I don't have water to the household. A smaller inverter means it may be dedicated only to pumping water which in my humble view becomes a wasted investment where's a 3kVa can double up with household loads. My inverter also at times when I have load shedding I use and induction cooktop with 1600w and can cook and make a cup of tea... so am happier. Just want to go to 5kva so I can have a 48v system which improves efficiency. The important thing is having enough panels which allow you to run directly off solar and not necessarily your battery, hence my suggesting 3000w total panel array. For a battery am using also a Chinese brand called Bluecarbon, meaning I keep investments costs low and get immediate benefits. Hope that helps.

 

A good guide provided. 

I just want to add that the equivalent Axpert inverter to yours will be the Axpert 3kVA 24V Plus. Although old by modern standards it did have a 1500W MPPT vs 600W for the non plus model. 

Oh I just saw you have a 3kW of PV. This is higher than the 60A 24V MPPT specs in the picture. 

6 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

A good guide provided. 

I just want to add that the equivalent Axpert inverter to yours will be the Axpert 3kVA 24V Plus. Although old by modern standards it did have a 1500W MPPT vs 600W for the non plus model. 

Oh I just saw you have a 3kW of PV. This is higher than the 60A 24V MPPT specs in the picture. 

Yes the Axpert Inverter would be something equivalent, but am trying to get you to think about not just running only the pump alone, but also add other components and reduce your time on return on investment. Because once you have panels and in time you add more, upgrade inverter and eventually Eskom and yourself are "part-time" acquaintances😁😁

7 minutes ago, Moffat said:

Yes the Axpert Inverter would be something equivalent, but am trying to get you to think about not just running only the pump alone, but also add other components and reduce your time on return on investment. Because once you have panels and in time you add more, upgrade inverter and eventually Eskom and yourself are "part-time" acquaintances😁😁

I still run my living part of a house on my 24V Axpert clone. I do use it for a few minutes running my micro of 1500W. It all has to do with what is essential during LS. During sunshine I have also used my heat pump of 1500W. One just needs to monitor and be trained on what to use and how long. 

I don't waste battery power to run fridge/chest freezer during 2h LS. Preserve it for if LS turns into a power failure. 

6 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

I still run my living part of a house on my 24V Axpert clone. I do use it for a few minutes running my micro of 1500W. It all has to do with what is essential during LS. During sunshine I have also used my heat pump of 1500W. One just needs to monitor and be trained on what to use and how long. 

I don't waste battery power to run fridge/chest freezer during 2h LS. Preserve it for if LS turns into a power failure. 

Do you have panels on your 24v Axpert clone? Reason I ask is because am sure if you put enough panels you could be running off the panels during the load shedding times.

Edited December 11, 20232 yr by Moffat

I am running currently what you are attempting to do, running a dab esy box mini 3 water booster pump using 8 panels ( 8 X 495W), on a 5KW Axpert King

(using 450W - 550W when in use), when pumping water up 2 stories currently

 

Good evening @Dal2000

I would look at one of these 3 inverters.
The Kodak and Ecco have a 4kW solar input and the Conderenergy has a 6.2kW solar input. The MPPT range for the Kodak and Ecco is between 120V and 450V and the maximum PV input voltage is 500V. The Conderenergy has a PV input range of 60V to 450V and for full load they recommend 240V to 450V and the maximum PV input voltage is 500V.
The Kodak VMIII 3kW is available at a couple of online shops and I have seen the Conderenergy and Ecco only available at Solar Warehouse SA and the price is really good - I am not sure if they are scammers, a while ago @Derek3 asked advise regarding a battery that they advertised I do not know if he purchased the battery from them maybe @Derek3 can advise if the battery was purchased at their online store.

1 X KODAK Solar Off-Grid Inverter VMIII 3kW 24V
1 X HYBRID INVERTER 3.5 KVA 3500 WATT MPPT 24V- CONDERENERGY (S-2435)
1 X HYBRID INVERTER 24V 3.5 KVA 3500W MPPT 100A INVERTER PURE SINE WAVE - ECCO

Most of the batteries listed below are also available at Solar Warehouse SA and a couple of the batteries are available at other online stores
The one S-Volt battery can communicate with the inverter and the one which they say WITHOUT BMS does have a BMS but the BMS does not communicate with an inverter.
2 X HALO S100 12.8V 1.2KWh
1 X Lemoen Battery Lithium Ion ECO 2.56KWH 25.6V 100Ah
1 X SVOLT 24V 106AH 2.71 KWH A-GRADE LITHIUM BATTERY WITH BMS CNN2510 (XEA15A)
1 X ESENER 2.56KWH 24V LIFEPO4 BATTERY MODULE
1 X SUNGOD 24V 2.4KWH LITHIUM ION BATTERY LIFEP04 BATTERY PACK
1 X FIVESTAR 25.6V 150AH 3.8KWH LITHIUM BATTERY LIFEPO4
1 X ECCO 2.56 KWH 25.6V 100AH LITHIUM LIFEPO4 BATTERY 24100
2 X VESTWOODS SMART 12V 100AH LIFEPO4 LITHIUM RECHARGEABLE BATTERY BLUETOOTH
1 X SVOLT 24V 106AH 2.71 KWH A-GRADE LITHIUM BATTERY WITHOUT BMS CNN2511 (XEA25A)
1 X ESENER 25.6V120AH 3.1KWH WALLMOUNTED LITHIUM BATTERY
1 X MUST LIFEPO4 24V 100AH LITHIUM ION BATTERY MS-LFP24100

If solar panels are installed then the output voltage of the solar panels connected in series must be above the minimum MPPT voltage of 120V for the Kodak and Ecco or 240V for the Conderenergy and below 500V for all three otherwise the MPPT will be damaged. According to the datasheet of the Conderenergy the inverter can work from 60V but that is not at full load so if solar panels are to be connected to the inverter then I would recommend a minimum of three for the Kodak and Ecco and a minimum of two for the Conderenergy, I would avoid buying the solar panels at long intervals because if you wait too long the same solar panel would not be available anymore and then the newer panels would be affected by the older panels, e.g. lets say you purchase 2 450W solar panels with a Imp of 10.84A and a year later you want to buy another 450W but the 450W is not available anymore only 550W are available and the 550W has a Imp of 13.11A then you would lose the difference between the 13.11A and 10.84A and the physical size of the panels are also different.

I would also recommend that a pressure tank or a couple of pressure tanks are installed after the high pressure pump so that the pump does not start too often.

Kind Regards

GerhardK83

P.S. if you need any help with the calculations or advise just PM me I will gladly help.

@GerhardK83

Yes i ordered the SVolt battery from Solar Warehouse, received it within 5 days was shipped to Upington. The battery cables and all accessories was in the box. They are not scammers and will order from them again without a doubt. So far the battery is working flawless.

11 minutes ago, Derek3 said:

@GerhardK83

Yes i ordered the SVolt battery from Solar Warehouse, received it within 5 days was shipped to Upington. The battery cables and all accessories was in the box. They are not scammers and will order from them again without a doubt. So far the battery is working flawless.

Thanks for the feedback @Derek3 now we know that Solar Warehouse SA are legit and that one can safely order from them.

4 minutes ago, GerhardK83 said:

Thanks for the feedback @Derek3 now we know that Solar Warehouse SA are legit and that one can safely order from them.

Don't just take my word for it below link for Trustpilot many satisfied customers and very good prices. Good business ethics.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/solarwarehousesa.com

 

 

On 2023/12/11 at 5:00 PM, Moffat said:

Please can you give more info on the water pump, it's pumping water to where and do you have a pressure tank on the system? Is it filling for example a Jojo tank and how many litres is this Jojo tank?

...maybe let me as you answer let me add my 2-cents: I have a 3kVa Inverter which MAXs out at 2400w continuous power is running my whole household, a 2-bed flat, 2 x Tvs, 1 -upright fridge, 1-Chest fridge/freezer and also a 0.75hp DAB water pump that pumps water into the house. Now on the pump side, I also have a 100litre pressure tank and on the PV side (Solar Panels) I have 3000w (12 x 250w) solar panels and can run my whole household off solar, and charging a 100ah lithium battery off-grid during the day (running off panels) The battery runs lights, water pump all the above mentioned stuff up to about 12pm after dark if Utility power isn't back. The inverter is 24v and that's the minimum I would recommend you go for:

• 24 V Inverter

• 3000w - total panels

• Pressure tank on the pump

• 100ah Lithium Battery (Minimum)

... this system has served me well since 2014.

Please can you WhatsApp me +260779459949 or email [email protected], I have a 0.75 electric submersible pump and really struggling, I have a 3kva hybrids inverter like yourself but my batteries are 12 volt lead acid 100ah connected in series, to make up the 24v for the inverter, I have 3 panels 550 watts connected in series (should they be paralell? is my problem the panels or the batteries, please help!