Floating Pumps Pumping Water from Dams, Ponds,Lakes or Lagoons
Floating Pumps
Pumping Water from Dams, Ponds, Lakes or Lagoons
Floating pumps are semi-submersible pumps held in place and protected by a floating device. Designed for situation where an inline pump is not suitable. Floating pumps are commonly used on dams, lakes or lagoons. Our semi-submersible pumps can deliver up to 7,000 litres per hour.
Alternatively, a fully submersible bore pump can also be floated when attached to an appropriate device. The cost of the pump system is directly proportional to the required litres per day and the vertical lift (also known as head). A single solar panel can lift water up to 20 metres.
Below are two solar powered floating pump systems designed for Northern NSW. Many other configurations are possible (and available). The selection of the most appropriate pump should be based on the actual requirements (location, volume and pressure/head). Pump systems are supplied as DIY install kits only.
Floating Pump System Guide
litres/day @ vertical lift
Solar Pump System
Price
21,000 @ 5 m
or
7,100 @ 15 m
Lorentz PS150 with 0.21kW PV
from $4318.08
25,000 @ 20 m
or
17,500 @ 60 m
Grundfos CRFlex 3-11 with 1.9kW PV
from $8638.08
Floating Pump System Examples
Lorentz PU150 - Submersible Pump
Lorentz PS150 centrifugal rotor pumps are submersible pumps for low to medium heads and high flows. They can be powered by a single 24V solar panel. The Lorentz float holds the pump in place (horizontally).
The below system configuration will pump water up to 20m, delivering about 1,000 litres per hour (of full sunshine) or 4,500L/day.
Lorentz PS150 solar pump system
Pump Controller
1 x 210W Trina Quadmax solar panel
1 x Lorentz PU150 C-SJ5-8 submersible pump
1 x Lorentz PS150 Pump Controller
1 x Lorentz Pump Float
2 m solar cable and MC4 connectors
10 m underwater bore cable
DC Breaker (IP66)
Potting of underwater cable
Installation & operation manuals
Features
Both Lorentz and Grundfos pumps are driven by DC brushless motors running at varying speeds depending upon the energy input available. Both pumps are designed for operation with PV solar modules and utilise MPPT technology to optimise performance. Both systems allow for optional connection of high and/or low level sensors. There are a few differences:
Lorentz
Requires pump controller
Can run off 12 or 24V batteries
Over-temperature and overload protection
Requires waterproof cable connection
Grundfos
All controls are in the pump
Can run off 230V AC (generator or grid)
Under/over-voltage and overload protection
Requires stormproof pontoon
For automated cut-off (e.g. when header tank is full) a float switch is required, or alternatively a float valve in combination with a pressure sensor.
Applications:
Stock Watering
Small-scale irrigation
Agricultural water supply and transfer
Emergency reserve water supply
Bushfire prevention
Dewatering of quarries and open pit excavations
Water supply for dust control
Installation
Solar pump systems are easy to install and instructions are provided. However, floating pumps require special protection from rain (Grundfos only), falling branches, currents or storm. Also, pumps floating in murky waters may need a filtering system to prevent grid and debris getting into the pump.
Home made floating devices
Of course you can make your own floating device to hold the pump. However, we strongly advise you go the extra length and get the floaters designed for these pumps. Rickety pontoons or platforms may fall apart during a storm, possibly sinking the pump to the ground. The savings may not be worth the risk. You could also employ an Off-Grid accredited installer and claim STCs. For example, the 6 Panel Grundfos Kit would currently create $1020 worth of STCs.
Should you ever get stuck during installation or thereafter, phone and/or email support is available at no extra cost. Note: Rainbow Power Company does not install pump systems.
Trusted Brands
LORENTZ is a market leader in solar powered water pumping solutions. Products are built tough for operation in "hostile" environments and simple to service.
Grundfos' speciality is the design and development of energy-efficient solutions and many of their products are ideally suited for use with a stand alone solar system.
AMRtechnologies Inc. Solar & Electrical Systems Tel: (+506) 7037-8077 or Toll Free: 1(800) 2130227 Solar Systems in United States & Latin America
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