Pump Controllers

[Jamie Bourgeois]

I have asked this question on a different Renewable energy site and was met with only sacastic replys and deleted posts so be gentle with me.

What is the best solar pump controller out there.
I do agree that thermosyphoning is the best, but that is not an option in my case.
I have found some from ThermoTechs.com.

Thanks
Jamie

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Jamie,

What is the intended purpose of this pump? Since you mention thermo-siphoning, is this to pump around a heat-exchange liquid for solar hot water? Or is this to pump up (drinking) water from a well?

In case of pumping from a well, I've heard good things about Grundfos' SQFlex line of pumps. Grundfos is one of the top pump brands, not cheap, but very reliable. Their SQFlex pumps can be driven directly from solar panels. In fact they'll run from any 30 - 300 Volt DC or 90 - 240 Volt AC source.

-Rob-

[Jamie Bourgeois]

It will be for an open loop 4 flat plate solar collector system with a 40 gallon storage tank,I am using 200' of 1/2" OD copper tubing.The collectors will be 32 square feet each.Looking for a temperature differential controller.

Thanks for the reply
Jamie

[Jamie Bourgeois]

Its also nice to find a Canadian site about renewable energy.I plan on making this site my new home.

Thanks again
Jamie

[Mark Parsons]

Greetings Jamie,

I have a single flat plate collector in a drainback system for domestic hot water heating at my cottage. I am still in process of getting it plumbed from roof and through a heat exchanger on the side of the tank in the basement. My place is off-grid. I bought a 12VDC Gorman Rupp pump to circulate my drainback fluid. I am considering this 12V differential temp controller Guy Marsden is marketing.
http://www.arttec.net/Solar_Projects/index.html

I haven't bought it yet so can't give a reference.

I am planning on building a heat exchanger from 1" and 1/2" copper pipe for thermosyphon on the side of my 60 gal hot water tank in the next couple of weeks. I gather you are using the 200' of copper pipe coiled inside a 40 gallon tank. Is your hot water not pressurized?

Regards,
Mark

[Jamie Bourgeois]

Sorry Mark,
Sometimes I have so much to say that it usually doesn't make it to the keyboard.I will be using the 200' of 1/2" cooper tubing for the 4 collectors.I currently have 2 hot water tanks hooked up in series.The first one is also used as a dump load for my wind turbine.I would like to use a small 115Vac circulator pump to move the cold water in this tank before it gets to the secondary electric tank(I am not off the grid but working on it).Another problem is the tanks are located next to each other in the basement and I am looking at about 15 feet of head pressure, if not more.These guys, at the link below have a few different controllers with dual temperature sensors for tank temp and collector temp also a freeze protection function.

I have a rough drawing of what I want to do but need to digitize it for posting.

Thanks for your Reply Mark

Jamie

Ps
Check the site map out on this site.There is a lot of information on different systems designs.http://www.thermotechs.com

[Mark Parsons]

Greetings Jamie,

Thanks for the link.

I am interested in your collector design. Please post more.

My drainback system needs about 16 feet of head to pump to roof from basement. The pump I bought has 16PSI (36feet) of head, so lots and only 1.2 GPM, so power requirement is low.

My cottage water system schematic. For hot water I have RE dumpload, solar, wood stove coil, and a propane on-demand for finish temp or if all else fails.

Regards,
Mark

[Jamie Bourgeois]

Very impressive set up Mark
I will try to get the drawing done shortly.
Thanks
Jamie

[Paul Bailey]

Hi Jamie; Welcome to the group. Your 2 tanks will thermosyphon between each other on the same level without any extra pump if your using 2 tanks. You WILL need 2 tanks with 4 X 32 sq. feet of collector area or you will be producing steam the first day. As I say ..getting nearer the danger zone and something will blow. Can you share your design of the panels..More to follow as I'm working this weekend but will add more later.. Paul:)