cattle pond solar pump help

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Water Pumping #1
I have a cattle pond about 15' deep. I would like to put together a solar setup to pump water from the pond to a watering tank below the pond. Tank is 50 gallons. I would prefer to drive the pump directly, (no battery) with a float valve to turn the pump off when the tank is full. The line wouldn't remain pressurized when not in use.

I was looking at using a shur-flo diaphram surface-type pump for the transfer (I think that is all I need-but not sure which model would be best (sealed, premium, etc)) with a surflo 902 type dc pump controller to run the float valve to. However, some literature says to run the pump directly off the panel you need a 24v system, some say 12v will work? What are the drawbacks and benfits of 12 or 24v system?

Also, I was figuring a 75-100w panel would run this setup ok?

thanks!
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Comments

  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help

    Most pumps can not run directly from a solar panel without a battery. Some, however, can. Take a look at these: http://store.solar-electric.com/sun-pumps.html

    How far below the pond is the tank? Far enough difference in elevation that perhaps a pump isn't needed? Possibly a syphon line would work?

    A while back there was someone else looking for answers to a similar question on this forum. RancherDan. Maybe he's got some insight. Check this thread out: http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?t=5459&highlight=cattle
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  • russ
    russ Solar Expert Posts: 593 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help

    A siphon won't work? You said the tank is below the pond.
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  • Ralph Day
    Ralph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,020 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help

    Yeah, a regular trough/tank float valve in the tank, a line to the pond, not pressurized but when required would provide water to the tank. Guess it depends on how many cattle would be trying to drink at the same time and how much water can be provided. Cows don't tend to take turns and stand in line politely :roll:

    Ralph
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  • solarvic
    solarvic Solar Expert Posts: 1,071 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help
    Cariboocoot wrote: »
    Most pumps can not run directly from a solar panel without a battery. Some, however, can. Take a look at these: http://store.solar-electric.com/sun-pumps.html

    How far below the pond is the tank? Far enough difference in elevation that perhaps a pump isn't needed? Possibly a syphon line would work?
    Heck, I don,t see why he can,t siphon the water if he has enough drop. My stepbrother siphoned a spring over a half mile to where he built his house in the 1950,s and 2 other homes were added to the same water source. He built a small cement block building with a tank built of cement blocks that holds about 500 gal. Still running after all those years. S:Dlarvic
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help
    solarvic wrote: »
    Heck, I don,t see why he can,t siphon the water if he has enough drop. My stepbrother siphoned a spring over a half mile to where he built his house in the 1950,s and 2 other homes were added to the same water source. He built a small cement block building with a tank built of cement blocks that holds about 500 gal. Still running after all those years. S:Dlarvic

    My sister used to live in a place with two wells connected via syphon; when the 'primary' well got below the pipe the 'secondary' well would fill it up again. If the pipe is large enough and the volume is there ... none of us see a reason why this won't work. It doesn't take much elevational difference.
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #7
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help
    ... none of us see a reason why this won't work. It doesn't take much elevational difference.

    ...... as long as the lift is less than 30 feet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphon :roll:

    Greg
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  • russ
    russ Solar Expert Posts: 593 ✭✭
    #8
    Re: cattle pond solar pump help

    ...... as long as the lift is less than 30 feet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphon

    No lift involved
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