Off-grid pumps [RE-wrenches]

[Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services]

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One critical piece of information was not mentioned. That is how much 
water will they be using? If it is just for showers, toilet flushing, 
I'd go with a traditional submersible 1/2 HP 120 volt pump. I am an 
efficiency nut, but unless they are irrigating, the tiny amount of water 
they will use won't really amount to that much energy consumption with a 
traditional AC centrifugal well pump.

BTW I'd go with the 3648 inverter rather than the 2548.

My .02.

Todd

Kelly Keilwitz wrote:

>Pump Wrenches,
>
>We have an off-grid customer living on an island in Puget Sound who needs
>pumps for his well and storage tank. We don't have a lot of experience with
>pumping and would appreciate any suggestions.
>
>It's a small home (~800sf) that will be used part-time for probably several
>years before going full-time. The well is 151' deep, with a static water
>level at 138' and a reported water column of just under 13'. The well report
>says 6 gpm production. But, as this is a salt water intrusion area, we want
>to pump at no more than 3 gpm. There is an existing 1000 gal concrete
>storage tank in the ground about 20 feet from the well head (no elev
>change). Considerations are low-water sensor shut off and, probably
>grit-tolerance of the pump (or some way to keep grit out), as the pump will
>have to be located close to the bottom of the well.
>
>The power system is not in-place, or even designed yet. But we're
>contemplating an Outback PS-2 system starting with one FX2548 inverter. The
>batteries (48V) and inverter will be about 50 feet from the well head.
>
>I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of either using a more expensive
>battery-based, more efficient positive displacement (?) well pump or a less
>expensive, but more power hungry soft-start 120V AC pump running off of the
>inverter. If the energy savings of a more efficient pump (and keeping the
>inverter off) can reduce the needed PV array size, then it will be a good
>thing, as the PV array will probably live in a tree.
>
>I've only considered the Grundfos SQ Flex, so far, as I'm not up on other
>currently available pumps. The differences in cost between the 120V
>soft-start pump and the SQ flex seem to be around $1000, not considering
>larger wire sizing for the DC. I don't see the power needs of this place
>needing more than one inverter, even using the AC pump - but have been
>surprised before. 
>
>This customer also needs a pressurizing pump from the storage tank. There is
>less than 10 feet suction head from the bottom of the storage tank to the
>power house, where the pump will be located.
>
>I would appreciate any suggestions and recommendations.
>Thanks,
>-Kelly
>
>
>Kelly Keilwitz, P.E.
>Whidbey Sun & Wind, LLC
>Renewable Energy Systems
>NABCEP Certified PV Installer
>987 Wanamaker Rd, 
>Coupeville, WA 98239
>PH & FAX 360-678-7131
>sunwind at whidbeysunwind.com
> 
>


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