Hi, I'm trying to decide if I should buy a solar pump or not. They are kind of pricey, but, gee, it sure would be nice to have one.

I've pretty much narrowed down the choices to either the Solar Force or the Solar Slow Pump, from Windy Dankoff.

Has anyone had any (preferably longterm) experience with either of these models?

Thanks,

JOJ

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), July 19, 1999

Answers

I have been using the shur-flo slow pump for 6 months. I use it daily to irrigate and it has worked flawlessly. Gives me 2.5 gallons a minute from 600 yards away and 35 feet down. I feel quite swecure in my ability to have water should I lose my power.

Fat_C

-- Fat_C (f@chance.com), July 19, 1999.

You may already be aware of this but as I understand it you need to plan to pulling doing some significant maintenance every couple of years (I don't remember the details...:(....) Nothing to worry about but ask to make sure. Good luck.

-- Kristi (securx@succeed.net), July 20, 1999.

Hi-the jury is still really out on solar pumps. You might contact Home Power mag-www.homepower.com for more feed back. My understanding is that the Shurflo and others in its price range need to have its diaphrahm replaced on a near yearly basis. Not an easy job apparently. So you,d not only have to stock extra of those but possibly a backup pump to cary you over the down time. The more expensive(I get the names confused Solar Jack is one)are MUCH more long lived but they run $1800 or so. But with another "converter" that runs $400 or so you can run then directly off of a PV array without batteries,potentially a big savings plus virtually lifetime pumping ability with no batteries to wear out. Wish I knew more-am going to SolWest energy Fair in JohnDay,Ore this weekend to hopefully learn more. All the best howie-dryfarmer@hotmail.com

-- howie (dryfarmer@hotmail.com), July 20, 1999.

Thanks folks,

Fat_C, Glad your shurflow slow pump is working well; do you know how it operates? Like is it a diaphram?

Kristi, thanks for the hints; I have done quite a bit of research, and yes, most of the solar pumps need some maintenance. Some a lot more than others, it appears. Also, my friend had a diaphram pump which needed yearly diaphram replacement. His diaphram wore out, leaked, and destroyed the pump's motor. I am avoiding this type of pump.

Howie, thank you; I'll look at the Home Power mag-www.homepower.com site. Always looking for more info. The Solar slow pump (by Dankoff) is a "vane" pump, positive displacement, and it appears to be reliable. At least it won't leak onto the motor. Same goes for the Solar Force, which is an above ground piston pump. This one appears to be a real cadillac, and can even be used with a different power source (like a bicycle pedal setup, or directly powered by a pelton wheel, if you have a source of water to power it. But it takes a lot more power than the slow pump. It delivers about the same gpm per watt of power, but it delivers a lot more water, uses more power, and therefore the costs are MUCH higher.

Best wishes to you all.

JOJ

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), July 20, 1999.

I bought and installed a solar pump for my well about three months ago. It works like a charm producing about 4.5 gallons a minute in direct sunlight (which is more than the manual said it would). It's supposed to last at least five years without any servicing.

I don't recall the brand name, but I bought it at SolarExtreme.com and am extremely pleased. By the way, it doesn't have to be used in a well. It would work in a pond or river, for that matter.

-- Dog Gone (layinglow@rollover.now), July 20, 1999.

JOJ- I use the following pump. It is a surface pump and pulls from a pond. The pond is down a slope from me. It was $475.00 and has a good warrauntee. Here is what the description says. (got it at www.jademountain.com). I use one 75 watt panel and a deep cell battery.

Flowlight SlowPumps The energy-efficient SlowPump takes water from your spring, cistern, pond or stream and pushes it as high as 400 vertical feet. Depending on the model and number of panels, they will supply between 50 and 3000 gallons per day. These pumps will ease the strain on your solar electric system by pumping at low currents throughout the day. They include a forged brass housing to protect the rugged parts and last for years of reliable water pumping. Use 12 or 24V 1/4 HP.

-- Fat_C (f@chance.com), July 21, 1999.

Dog gone, Thanks, I'll check that out. It would help a lot if you could tell me if the pump is submersible? I have a real email address.

Fat_C, thanks again for the clarification. The Flowlight Slow pump sounds similar to Dankoff's Slowpump; I'll vistit the Jade Mountain site.

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), July 22, 1999.