Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Solar pumping from creek

Tony,

Those panels are "12 volt" panels. Yes you can wire them up for both increased voltage and amperage, but in the future consider 60 or 72 cell panels. They are really made for the work you are trying to accomplish. According to NAWS' website, you need a minimum of 624watts from a PV setup.

Will do, Brian, thanks.

Not solar related, but check to see if that pump will tolerate stream contaminates like leaves, sand, twigs, etc. or if you need to use a filter bag over the inlet. The "Ounce of Prevention" thing.

Let us know which direction you go and how it works please.

Brian I have the inlet in a 5 gal. bucket with holes, the bucket is covered in screen wire. I have been running the DC treadmill motor hooked to a semi trash centrifugal pump for 3 days, seems to be doing ok The motor is rated up to 115 vdc, @ 13 amps, but will pump on much less, it is getting 71volts in full sun. Like FishnRod suggested in an earlier post ,i'll run that to failure then go from there. Probably upgrade my panels like you suggested and try the actual solar pump again, since I have money invested in it.

Interesting to see the panels pull down to 72 volts. That is very close to MPPT voltage. Is there any controller at all on that setup?

No controller, pv direct. motor speed increases/decreases in relation to sun. Since treadmill motors can have variable voltage, this seems to work well.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00I320GN8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon had it on sale too. Mag drive and if you keep the mud out will last for a very long time.

Cheers Don