Reliable PV direct submersible? [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

Mick,
Welcome to the club! I share everything you have said.

I won't install another ETA/Lorentz submersible. Too unreliable.

We are recommending the SQ Flex for array-direct, and SQ/SQE for AC power.
This is based on previous experiences shared by other Wrenches on this list.
So far no failures of any kind, but it hasn't been very many or very long
yet. (The SQE is easier to find in our area. It's the constant-pressure
model with electronic regulation, and it's the darling of conventional AC
pump installers. It can be used with a conventional pressure switch and
tank, just like the SQ.)

There's one other idea you might consider, and it might be a surprise,
although array-direct it will only produce over 700 gpd in the summer if
tracked, as it's about 1.65 gpm at 24V. We have been surprisingly satisfied
with the Shurflo 9300. We have repaired a lot of failed units, too. We like
it because it's reliable and predictable within its design limits. We tell
the customer to rebuild the pump every two years; diaphragm and valves. As
long as they're replaced regularly, water seldom leaks into the motor. Few
owners do this service (until they learn their lesson). We explain that this
pump isn't designed to set-and-forget. Rather, it needs routine service, but
parts are cheap and readily available and rebuilding is easy and quick.

The pump weighs 6 pounds and uses 1/2" poly pipe, so it's easy to remove and
set. Max head is 230', so it's always set by hand. And it's way less
expensive than anything else that fits this market niche. And we
occasionally but seldom have failures that aren't predictable.

Hope this helps, Mick.
Allan at Positive Energy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mick Abraham" <mick at abrahamsolar.com>
>
> Hi, Wrenchies~
>
> A childhood friend just called me for help on a pumping system. His
> mechanical style windmill just got blown away due to high winds...again.
> He's asked me about PV direct submersible pumping 700 to 1000 gpd, total
> lift 120'.
>
> Remember, this is my longtime friend whom I would like to keep as a
> friend. He is used to having pump problems once or twice a year but
> would like less trouble than that and would certainly not enjoy more
> trouble than that. As I review my history with PV direct pumping systems
> it occurs to me that my clients have had frequent trouble with every
> major brand of pump/controller that I've worked with. That includes
> several major brands some of which were fairly expensive. I gave up
> entirely on this category several years ago, so I don't know the product
> landscape very well any more.
>
> Could any of you recommend a PV direct submersible system that would be
> highly reliable? Aerovironment's inverter solution with conventional
> pump looks good but seems cost prohibitive because of the high PV
> wattage required. I'm inclined to suggest the Grundfos SQFlex system
> this time. That's one that I've never had occasion to curse but also one
> that I've never sold, so I hope to get opinions from List members with
> mud on their boots.
>
> I'm sorry to seem cynical but the past problems with this product
> category have stripped my gears. I definitely see the appropriateness of
> PV direct pumping but I also need to stop selling things that break
> down. This pumping site is not close to my location so I need something
> with "set it and forget it" reliability.


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