Build a Solar-Powered Pool Pump: What You Need to Know

  • Thread starter Thread starter booter10ca
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Build Pump
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of building a solar-powered pool pump using a 5W photovoltaic panel. Participants explore the requirements for powering a pool pump, including potential circuit designs and energy storage solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a 5W panel is sufficient to run a pool pump, suggesting that more power is likely needed.
  • Another participant agrees that running the pump directly off 5W would be challenging but proposes using the panel to power a circuit that could enable the pump.
  • A participant expresses interest in constructing a circuit that could harness energy from battery cells, acknowledging the limitation of the 5W panel.
  • One suggestion involves determining the horsepower (HP) required by the pump, with a recommendation for a 1 kVA inverter and energy storage in a lead-acid battery, noting the average power would depend on the pump's duty cycle.
  • There is a mention of the potential benefits of using a DC brush motor or a brushless DC motor due to lower starting volt-amps requirements compared to an induction motor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of using a 5W panel for the pump, with multiple competing views on the necessary power requirements and potential solutions remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various assumptions regarding power requirements, energy storage, and motor types without resolving the specifics of the calculations or the practicality of the proposed solutions.

booter10ca
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
hey
i have a 5W pv panel and was wondering if i could build some sort of circuit to run my pool pump? was wondering what i would need ... any thoughts would be appreciated
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Probably more than 5W.
 
Like skeptic said, I think you'd be hard-pressed to run your pump off 5W.

However, you could always use that 5W solar cell as a circuit to power a circuit that enables your pump.
 
thats what I am looking to do, i know 5w isn't enough but if there is some sort of circuit i can construct to harness the power in battery cells or some other form is what I am looking to try and do
 
Start by determining the HP required by your pump. IF it is say 0.5 HP, you will probably need 1 kVA peak for starting volt-amps in a 0.5 HP induction motor. Store the energy from the panel in a lead-acid battery, and use a 1 kVA inverter. The average power will depend on the duty cycle of the pump. You can probably get 10 watts per square foot for charging a battery system, or ≈0.1 kilowatt-hours per day per square foot. Use an inverter to get 60 Hz power from a battery. You might be better off with a dc brush motor or a BLDC (brushless dc) motor, because the starting VA requirement is less.

Bob S
 
Bob S said:
Start by determining the HP required by your pump. IF it is say 0.5 HP, you will probably need 1 kVA peak for starting volt-amps in a 0.5 HP induction motor. Store the energy from the panel in a lead-acid battery, and use a 1 kVA inverter. The average power will depend on the duty cycle of the pump. You can probably get 10 watts per square foot for charging a battery system, or ≈0.1 kilowatt-hours per day per square foot. Use an inverter to get 60 Hz power from a battery. You might be better off with a dc brush motor or a BLDC (brushless dc) motor, because the starting VA requirement is less.

Bob S

Thanks a lot
 

Similar threads

Solar panel conundrum -- Not enough power?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Is my contractor upselling me?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
US Split-Phase to EU Heat Pump Not Working
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Do personal PV panels make sense considering the grid "cleanliness"?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Life expectancy of a domestic PV system
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Convert 1 phase to 3 phase by using an old washing machine
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Could you use Solar to power a DC to AC Inverter? (Description below)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
HVAC Attic to Pool Heat Exchange, will car radiator collect heat?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Calibrating Pump/Venturi (Air) in a Closed Recirculating Water System
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
In Search of: Cheap/common pressure switch
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K