pool pump and sunnyboy/sw4048 hybrid [RE-wrenches]

[David Blittersdorf]

Another approach I have used on my pool. I agree with Paul to reduce head losses with
large pipe sizes and reduced flow rates.

I have a large pool (18' x 44') and have changed out my single phase 1.5 hp pump to a
variable speed drive inverter and 3 phase motor. The inverter is contolled by a solar cell
that is directly connected to the analog voltage control input of the inverter drive. The
pump speed varies with the sun and automatically starts and stops with sunrise and
sunset. It's great as I also have the solar hot water panels piped directly into the pool
pump. I set the top speed to 50hz to decrease flow losses and decrease energy use.

This last summer in Vermont I used 1300 kwh for the season (May - Oct.), about 260
kwh per month. The old pump running 8 hrs. per day on a timer used 480 kwh per
month. I decided to stay with an AC system as my house has 5 kw of PV and a 10kw
wind turbine that is net metered.

David Blittersdorf

On 26 Nov 2002 at 10:15, Paul Benson, Dankoff Solar wrote:

> As all you wrenches know, point of use investment in efficiency is often the
> most appropriate way to reduce long term costs; the compact florescent bulb is
> the most accessible example.  From this perspective, it makes sense to invest
> initially in the most efficient pump to replace the existing AC pump, as well as
> review the pool equipment to make sure it allows for the most efficient pump.
> For example, reducing friction loss (head loss) through the filtration,
> maximizing pipe sizes, etc. will reduce the power requirement.
>
>   Turning over the volume of the pool in two days instead of every day also
> greatly reduces power consumption (and head loss).  When these measures have
> been taken, it can make sense to replace the AC pump entirely with a PV driven
> pump.  Dankoff Solar Products now manufactures a PV direct pool pump which
> integrates the basket strainer in a conventional plastic pump head, which is
> coupled to a custom made high efficiency DC motor, which can run without a
> controller PV direct.  These systems can use as little as 230 watts.  The AC
> pump can be left in parallel with the solar pump to cover periods of heavy pool
> use, or the DC pump can be configured with a power converter to run the pump off
> AC power when needed.  For California users, the system can be rebated by the
> CEC.
>
> These pool pump systems can also be used in large pools to take over a
> portion of the pumping load, such as pumping through a solar collector loop for
> pool heating, leaving the AC pump to handle filtration for fewer hours per day.
>
> Paul Benson
> Dankoff Solar Products
>
> on 11/25/02 6:33 PM, keith at kcronin at lava.net wrote:
>
> > Hello Wrenches
> >
> > Two questions:
> >
> > 1. I am looking to create an energy star home.  I have complied with
> > every energy consuming appliance we have from the refrigerator, washer,
> > dryer, solar hot water.  The last item is the pool pump.  It is a 1 hp
> > filter/circulation pump and it came with the house when we bought it
> > last month.  I have spoken to a few pool dudes and they seem to all push
> > the 8 hour a day running concept.  That’s 8 kW a day I am not
> > enthusiastic about.  I recently whittled the time down to 7 hours to see
> > if the algae liked this new additional hour for growth and haven’t seen
> > any appreciable difference. I get the feeling that if you’re a pool guy,
> > you have a route and want to get in and out as quickly as possible:
> > i.e.: run the pump longer. Anyway, does anyone have any guidelines for
> > hours of operation in relationship to pump size, pool size, and distance
> > to the pool from the pump etc. and can anyone recommend perhaps a super
> > efficient ¾ or ½ hp pump?
> >
> > 2. Since our move, I took my 4048, SP75s, C-40, DC175, Concorde AGM’s
> > with me.  I will have a stand alone system and a newly installed (this
> > weekend) 12- bp160’s on a
> > SB2500.  I was considering using the outback combiner box and rewire the
> > panels with three (3) homeruns into a 48 volt configuration.  I was
> > going to purchase a 120/240 transformer and have an AB switch.  This
> > way, I can proverbially have the best of both worlds.  One system is
> > grid tied for max efficiency, the other for keeping the refrigeration
> > cold.  In the event of an extended power outage, divert the sunny boy
> > string to the input of the 4048 and have a slick backup system and keep
> > those batteries topped off.  I understand everyone must be thinking why
> > bother, but my 4048 is only 3.5 years old.
> >
> > Any suggestions or comments would sincerely be appreciated.
> >
> > Keith Cronin
> > Island Energy Solutions
> > 318 A Kuulei Road
> > Kailua, Hawaii 96734
> > 808-262-3268 Tel
> > 808-263-0338 Fax
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
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David Blittersdorf
NRG Systems, Inc.
110 Commerce Street
Hinesburg, VT 05461 USA
Tel: 802-482-2255
Fax: 802-482-2272
email: davidb at nrgsystems.com
Web:http://www.nrgsystems.com

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