New Member in FL with DC Pool Pump question

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  • Jimafter5
    Junior Member
    • Jul 2012
    • 5
    #1

    New Member in FL with DC Pool Pump question

    Hi Folks,
    I joined this forum to see if anyone has experience with a DC Pool pump. I can purchase a Lorenz PS600 DC Pump/Motor
    PS 600 Controller & 3 panel kit for about $3,300 (US), but I haven't been able to find ANYONE who's actually using this or a similar system in FL. The local dealer wasn't able to give me ANY reference in my own state. I just want to hear from someone who has 1st hand knowledge that this will work as stated in the literature. Link to system (None of these are the dealer I was working with) <http://atlanticsolarpump.com/docs/ProductDataSheet_PS600.pdf> Thanks in advance!
    Tags: dc pool pump, lorenz
    • Mike90250
      Moderator
      • May 2009
      • 16020
      #2
      What's wrong with a high efficiency, 3 phase motor & pump, with a VFD controller ?
      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment

        • Jimafter5
          Junior Member
          • Jul 2012
          • 5
          #3
          Well, Perhaps nothing... But, I'm not an expert on solar, so I thought buying a package that someone has already done their homework on would be more successful than trying to reinvent the wheel. Thanks for your thoughts.

            Comment

            • Mike90250
              Moderator
              • May 2009
              • 16020
              #4
              So you have $3K for the pump and controller, and you still have to buy the PV array.

              Also get the price for a 500- 1000 watt array (pump needs at least 340 watts to start, and PV panels only produce 80% of nameplate, like the 35MPG car really gets only 27mpg), Mounting for the array, and the conduit for the wiring.

              So, now we are up to about $6,000 to make it work, and a 10 year life on the motor, and 20+ years on the solar panels.
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment

                • Jimafter5
                  Junior Member
                  • Jul 2012
                  • 5
                  #5
                  Actually, this is the whole kit that includes the DC pump & controller (pre-wired), (3) 185w panels, & mounting system.

                    Comment

                    • Mike90250
                      Moderator
                      • May 2009
                      • 16020
                      #6
                      For $3K, a complete kit, it sounds amazing. Almost too good to be true.

                      What happens to the pool, on cloudy days, when the pump does not run ? Do you keep an AC pump for backup ?
                      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                        Comment

                        • Jimafter5
                          Junior Member
                          • Jul 2012
                          • 5
                          #7
                          Yes, that's exactly right. I'll keep the AC pump in-line to use on cloudy days.

                            Comment

                            • Mike90250
                              Moderator
                              • May 2009
                              • 16020
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Jimafter5
                              Yes, that's exactly right. I'll keep the AC pump in-line to use on cloudy days.
                              You will have to rig it with bypass valves, or it will restrict the other pump when not in use.
                              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                                Comment

                                • Naptown
                                  Solar Fanatic
                                  • Feb 2011
                                  • 6880
                                  #9
                                  You could also run them in parallel with check valves on the outlet ports of each pump.
                                  NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

                                  [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

                                  [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

                                  [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

                                    Comment

                                    • fafcosolar
                                      Junior Member
                                      • Aug 2011
                                      • 11
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by Jimafter5
                                      Hi Folks,
                                      I joined this forum to see if anyone has experience with a DC Pool pump. I can purchase a Lorenz PS600 DC Pump/Motor
                                      PS 600 Controller & 3 panel kit for about $3,300 (US), but I haven't been able to find ANYONE who's actually using this or a similar system in FL. The local dealer wasn't able to give me ANY reference in my own state. I just want to hear from someone who has 1st hand knowledge that this will work as stated in the literature. Link to system (None of these are the dealer I was working with) <http://atlanticsolarpump.com/docs/ProductDataSheet_PS600.pdf> Thanks in advance!
                                      In our experience, the system can run well in basic pool-only situations where features are non-existent. As soon as you add spill-overs, waterfalls, vanishing edges, spas, and other features, the system will not work effectively. Forget about solar pool heating and heat pumps for the most part. Varying flow rates will not let heating sources work effectively. Using the transformer for AC backup defeats the whole purpose. If you do decide to move forward, definitely keep your AC pump in parallel (use appropriate bypass valves and check valves).

                                      As another commented, you should seriously consider a Variable Speed (VFD) pump. Pentair makes the VS-3050 and Hayward the EcoStar. These have proven to be huge money savers and are far less costly than a solar pool pump. They work great with varying flow requirements posed by features and heat sources.

                                      We don't work up in your area, but I know someone who does both the Pentair product and the Lorentz Solar Pool Pump. Contact me off-forum if you want details.

                                        Comment

                                        • Jimafter5
                                          Junior Member
                                          • Jul 2012
                                          • 5
                                          #11
                                          Thank you for your reply. You confirmed what I suspected but I couldn't get a straight-forward answer from anybody who was selling the system. I am still interested in getting one. I have (8) 4' X 10' solar heat panels on my roof so I could run my AC pump here and there as needed to keep the temp up. I don't use the pool for half of the year anyway, so without the need for heat, the DC solar pump would provide savings there. I'm unable to contact you off-line until I have 10 posts but I am interested in your contact in my area.

                                            Comment

                                            • fafcosolar
                                              Junior Member
                                              • Aug 2011
                                              • 11
                                              #12
                                              Originally posted by Jimafter5
                                              Thank you for your reply. You confirmed what I suspected but I couldn't get a straight-forward answer from anybody who was selling the system. I am still interested in getting one. I have (8) 4' X 10' solar heat panels on my roof so I could run my AC pump here and there as needed to keep the temp up. I don't use the pool for half of the year anyway, so without the need for heat, the DC solar pump would provide savings there. I'm unable to contact you off-line until I have 10 posts but I am interested in your contact in my area.
                                              Forum rules prevent me from linking to my website or email. I have private messaged you with information.

                                              You should seriously consider a solar controller if you don't already have one. With a controller you can automatically turn your AC pump on when solar is available and needed. With the right logic programmed into a Pentair SunTouch controller, you can have it turn your bypass valves automatically. The trick is to turn off the Solar Pool Pump when the AC pump comes on. That can be done with a relay, too. If the guys I referred you to need help figuring that out, have them give me a call and we'll come up with a solution for you.

                                              Best regards,

                                              Jason Szumlanski

                                                Comment

                                                • Douggg
                                                  Junior Member
                                                  • Aug 2015
                                                  • 1
                                                  #13
                                                  I'm in California and am thinking of buying the same system - How did it work out?

                                                  I'm in California and am thinking of buying the same system - How did it work out?


                                                  Originally posted by Jimafter5
                                                  Hi Folks,
                                                  I joined this forum to see if anyone has experience with a DC Pool pump. I can purchase a Lorenz PS600 DC Pump/Motor
                                                  PS 600 Controller & 3 panel kit for about $3,300 (US), but I haven't been able to find ANYONE who's actually using this or a similar system in FL. The local dealer wasn't able to give me ANY reference in my own state. I just want to hear from someone who has 1st hand knowledge that this will work as stated in the literature. Link to system (None of these are the dealer I was working with) <http://atlanticsolarpump.com/docs/ProductDataSheet_PS600.pdf> Thanks in advance!

                                                    Comment

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