Surface Solar Water Pumps
Description
The Scintex Solar Surface Water Pump range is designed for pumping clean water from above-ground tanks, dams and other suitable water sources where grid power may not be available. These brushless DC pumps can operate directly from solar panels without requiring a battery, making them ideal for off-grid homes, stock watering, farms and remote water transfer applications.
Available in several flow and pressure configurations, the pumps feature integrated MPPT control, soft start, automatic restart protection and float switch inputs for simple system automation.
Solar Surface Water Pumps
- Direct connection to solar panels - no battery required
- Brushless DC motor for efficient, low-maintenance operation
- Integrated MPPT controller
- Wide voltage input range
- Soft-start operation
- Automatic restart after suitable operating conditions return
- Over-voltage, under-voltage and locked-rotor protection
- Float switch input terminals included
- Self-priming capability up to 8m depending on installation
- Suitable for above-ground clean water applications
- 12 month warranty
Ideal for Off-Grid Water Pumping
These pumps are designed for locations where mains power is unavailable or expensive to install. They can be connected directly to a correctly sized solar array, allowing the pump to operate automatically when sufficient sunlight is available.
A battery bank is not required for daytime pumping, helping simplify the system and reduce both initial cost and long-term battery replacement requirements.
Typical applications include:
- Supplying water from above-ground tanks
- Stock water transfer
- Farm and acreage water systems
- Off-grid homes
- Remote tank filling
- Water transfer between storage tanks
- Solar-powered irrigation support
Brushless DC Motor
The low-voltage brushless DC motor provides efficient and quiet operation with reduced maintenance compared with brushed motor designs.
The motor and controller are integrated into the pump system, simplifying installation and reducing the number of external components required.
Integrated MPPT Smart Controller
An internal MPPT controller helps optimise pump performance as solar panel output changes throughout the day.
The controller includes:
- Soft start
- Variable input voltage control
- Under-voltage protection
- Over-voltage protection
- Locked-rotor protection
- Automatic restart
- Float switch input terminals
If available solar power falls below the pump's operating requirement, the controller can stop the pump and automatically restart when suitable voltage and power return.
Float Switch Control
The integrated controller includes terminals for an external float switch. This allows the pump to automatically start or stop according to tank water level.
For example, a float switch can be installed in a stock watering tank so the pump operates when the level drops and stops once the tank has refilled.
Battery-Free Solar Operation
One of the main advantages of these pumps is the ability to operate directly from solar panels without a battery bank.
This can significantly simplify remote pumping systems because batteries are often one of the more expensive components and may require periodic replacement.
If pumping is required outside daylight hours, a suitably designed battery system can still be incorporated into the installation.
Choosing Solar Panel Capacity
As a general guide, allow approximately 1.5 to 2 times the pump motor rating in installed solar panel capacity.
The additional panel capacity helps compensate for real-world conditions including:
- Cloud cover
- Panel temperature
- Panel angle and orientation
- Wiring losses
- Morning and afternoon sunlight
- Variation between panel output and nameplate rating
Important: Solar array voltage must remain within the input voltage range specified for the selected pump model.
Example - 180W Pump
For the 180W model, approximately 270-360W or more of solar panel capacity is a reasonable starting point, provided the array voltage remains within the pump's 9-55V operating range.
Panel wiring should be configured according to the voltage and current ratings of the actual panels being used rather than relying solely on nominal panel wattage.
Example - 600W Pump
For the 600W model, approximately 900-1,200W of solar panel capacity is a useful general guide.
The SSSP72V600 accepts an input range of 50-150V, so the solar array should be configured to provide a working voltage within this range under expected operating conditions.
Note: Solar panel open-circuit voltage can be higher than normal operating voltage, particularly in cool conditions. Always check the panel specifications and ensure the array cannot exceed the pump controller's maximum input voltage.
High Discharge Pressure & Flow
The range includes different pump configurations to suit varying flow and pressure requirements.
Maximum head represents the theoretical vertical water column the pump can produce at very low flow. Actual flow will reduce as discharge head and system resistance increase.
As a rough conversion, 10m of water head is approximately 98kPa / 14.2 PSI. For example, a maximum head of 22m corresponds to approximately 216kPa / 31 PSI.
Solar Surface Pump Performance
| Model / Performance Curve | Max. Flow | Max. Head | Max. Suction | Input Voltage Range | Power | Inlet x Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSSP12V180I | 1.7m³/hr | 22m | 8m | 9-55V | 180W | 1" x 1" |
| SSSP48V400I | 2.5m³/hr | 33m | 8m | 45-100V | 400W | 1" x 1" |
| SSSP72V600 | 3.1m³/hr | 35m | 8m | 50-150V | 600W | 1" x 1" |
| SSSP96V750 | 3.1m³/hr | 40m | 8m | 96-190V | 750W | 1" x 1" |
Common Pump Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor |
Brushless DC Rated motor life 18,000+ hours Air cooled |
| Motor Protection |
Over-voltage protection Under-voltage protection Locked-rotor protection |
| Automatic Restart | Included |
| Controller |
Integrated smart MPPT controller Soft start Variable input voltage control Float switch input terminals |
| Construction |
Combination of stainless steel, iron, brass, aluminium and copper depending on model Some models are supplied with an iron wet-end pump head rather than stainless steel. Models identified with an "I" suffix may use an iron wet-end construction. |
| Installation | Above ground |
| Suitable Fluid | Clean water |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Accessories for Solar Water Pump Systems
Scintex supplies a range of accessories for building and automating solar water pump systems.
Important: These are surface-mounted pumps and must be protected from flooding and weather exposure as required by the installation. Suction performance depends heavily on installation conditions, pipe size, vertical lift, fittings and air leaks. For best performance, install the pump as close to the water source as practical and minimise suction-side restrictions.