New England Solar Electric, Inc.

AC Water Pumping

Careful planning of your water system ahead of time will save a lot of headaches and possibly a lot of money in the future. Many people have called after they installed their pump, only to find out they will now need to purchase a larger inverter than they had planned on, or a transformer to run their new 230 VAC pump. We will be glad to help you with your water system design or talk to your well man to explain why you need a 115 VAC Grundfos Soft-Start pump, rather than the 230 VAC pump he has in his truck! When calling for help with your water system design please have the following information at hand:

• Type of Power System - 120 vac or 12/ 24 vdc
• Horizontal Distance from Well to Home
• Depth of Well
• Static Water Level (Distance from Ground Surface to Water Level in Well)
  

• Elevation from Top of Well to Home
• Pressurized System?
• Pipe Size (if already installed)

Grundfos Shallow Well Pump

Grundfos makes an SQ line of submersible pumps noted for their ability to “soft-start” i.e. not draw any extra starting current. This means the Grundfos 1/2 hp SQ pumps can run reliably on a 1500 watt TR inverter. The SQ pumps will fit into a 3” well casing and are protected from dry running, overvoltage, undervoltage and overtemperature. They are constructed of stainless steel with polymide vanes and valves.

Listed below are models from 1/3 to 1 hp which will pump a nominal 5 gpm from 40’ to 500’ at 30 to 50 psi. Of course the gpm varies with the depth and pressure required. The 1/3 and 1/2 hp pumps are available in 115 VAC models; all the pumps are available in 230 VAC models.

AC Pump Installation Kit

921-001   $99

This kit contains all the parts necessary to install your AC pump except for the pipe, wire and pump rope (all of which depend on well depth and distance between the well and house). Included in the kit are a torque arrestor, 8 wire guides, a pit-less adapter, 3 1" male adapters, a heat shrink splice kit and 10 stainless steel clamps.

Tank Installation Kit

540-001 Tank Installation Kit $99

This tank installation kit consists of all the parts attached to the pressure tank manifold. Included in the kit are a check valve, a ball valve, a pressure gauge, a pressure switch, a drain cock, and a relief valve.  Be sure to get the proper size manifold for your tank.

Diaphragm Storage Tanks

These are fiberglass water storage tanks with a high density polyethylene inner liner.  They are precharged with air. Their draw-down between pump cycles is listed in the chart below. Models WM-4 to WM-12 can be shipped UPS. Models WM-14 and larger must be freighted.

If you have a shallow well or spring that is not too far from your home and have a small PV system without an inverter, then use a 12 volt or 24 volt DC pump. A DC suction pump can lift water from a depth of 12 to 16 feet maximum and pressurize a system, although at a slower rate than an AC pump. A DC submersible pump can be set as deep as 230' but will have only 1 to 2 gpm output. DC pumps can also be used effectively to pressurize an existing gravity flow system. The best part about DC pumps is the low amount of power needed per gallon of water pumped.

Shurflo water pumps are diaphragm pumps. They can run dry and not harm themselves. They do not need a filter, only an intake strainer. Because these pumps come out of the industrial sector, they are mass produced and less expensive than other DC pumps. They will draw water up vertically about 12 feet. They have an internal check valve and a pressure switch that will turn the pump on at about 28 PSI and off at 40 PSI. For a pressurized system a foot valve is required on the pipe at the bottom of the well to maintain prime. The addition of an expansion tank allows the system to be more efficient and easier on the pump. Shurflo pumps should last about 3 to 5 years in a PV home. They come with a one year warranty. The pump head is easily replaced if a problem should occur.

SHURflo 144 12VDC Pump

922-144A     SHURflo 144 12V                  $139
12 volts, 3 GPM, 6-8 amps draw

This pump is a lighter duty pump than the 145. It will turn on at 28 PSI and off at 40 PSI. It is usually used without a pressure tank, coming on when the faucet is on and shutting off when the faucet is turned off. Good for occasional use in cabins or where the water system is not in daily use. One year warranty.

SHURflo 144 24VDC Pump

922-144B     SHURflo 144 24V                $139
24 volts, 3 GPM, 3-5 amps draw

The 144 is the 24 volt equivalent to the 12V 144. Same pump head but with a somewhat lighter duty motor without the heat sink.

SHURflo 534 24VDC Pump

922-534     SHURflo 534                 $209
24 volts, 3.0A open-flow to 5A @ 45psi
3.6 gpm open-flow to 2.2 gpm @ 45psi

The 534 is the 24 volt equivalent to the 12V 145.

922-145     SHURflo 145                             $199
12 volts, 4.5A open-flow to 9A @ 45psi
3.6 gpm open-flow to 2 gpm @45psi

The 145 pump is the work-horse of the Shurflo line. This is the pump to use for a full home system if your well is suitable, or for pressurizing gravity feed systems. Maximum inlet pressure is 30 psi. It includes an integrated pressure switch and check valve. The pressure switch is preset to turn off at 45 psi and turn back on at 25 psi. The 145 has a heavy duty DC motor, now manufactured by SHURflo, with a heavy duty cooling heat sink. This pump should last 5 years under daily use. Even then it is likely that only the pump head will need replacing. It has a one year warranty.

SHURflo Smart Sensor Pump

The name "Smart Sensor" derives from the fact that the pump has the ability to smoothly deliver the amount of water required, up to 5 gpm, without the need for a pressure tank. In fact, SHURflo insists that you not use a pressure tank with this pump. This diaphragm pump has five chambers and is capable of self-priming from a distance of 6 feet vertically. The Model 254 strainer is strongly recommended on the input side of the pump. Do not use a water filter on the input side. Consider purchasing our installation kit for this pump.

SHURflo 9300 Series Submersible Pump

921-101 $749

This pump can produce up to 2 GPM from depths up to 230 feet when run on 24 volts. It will run on two 50 watt modules as well as on a battery system. Featuring strong lightweight construction, it has a corrosion proof housing with stainless steel fasteners. It will run on 12 or 24 volts and can run dry without damage. The pump requires a 4" or larger well casing.

Valve Kit for 9300 Submersible Pump
922-006 For SHURflo 9300 Pump $27.00

Used to repair 9300 pump.

DC Pump Notes

DC Submersible Pump Installation: Shurflo 9300 Series Pump

When hooking up a DC pump, which has relatively lower suction capabilities when compared with an AC pump, you must take extra care with the input suction line. First, the suction line cannot afford to have any vacuum leaks. Any air getting into the suction line will severely hamper the pump's operation. Second, there should be no ups and downs in the input pipe-line. Any "hump" in this line is a place where air can migrate out of the water or otherwise collect, to form an eventual vapor lock. This can put a severe strain on the pump, and cause the pump to fail. If your pump suddenly seems weak or extra noisy, check your suction line for vapor lock or vacuum leaks.

DC Pump Controller - Model 902-200

921-200 Model 902-200 Controller $299

Boost your 9300 Series pumps performance by up to 30% or more. Shurflo's DC pump controller optimizes your solar water pumping system by translating the current and voltage from your DC power source into a combination that is better matched to that needed by the pump. It also provides your pump with protection from excessive or insufficient voltage. The controller has the ability to automate your pumping system, ensuring that the pump does not run when the water level is too low (level sensing probes are included), or the reservoir is full (float switch must be added). The 902-200 works on 12 or 24 volt systems.

SHURflo Installation Kit

922-001   Install Kit for Pump Models 144 - 12V & 24V, and 534                  $25

SHURflo Installation Kit for Smart Sensor Pumps

922-005     Install Kit for SHURflo           $50
Smart Sensor Pump 12 & 24V

SHURflo Smart Sensor pumps require a large filter screen in the suction (input) line. We include the Hi-Flow Strainer Kit and the special fittings for the pump in our installation kit. Two 18" pieces of 1/2" dia reinforced plastic tubing and stainless steel clamps complete the assembly for quiet operation. Connections to your plumbing are made with 1/2" npt male fittings.

520-001    Foot Valve    $19
For 1" threaded pipe

A foot valve is necessary to maintain prime when pumping into pressure. Although a Shurflo pump will self-prime up to about 16 feet, it will not do so under pressure.

510-001    Filter Screen    $9
For SHURflo Pumps

Shurflo strongly recommends the use of a filter screen at the input of their diaphragm pumps. If any foreign matter should lodge itself under a diaphragm lip, the resulting loss of suction could severely damage the pump. If you do not need the above installation kit, please be sure to at least purchase this filter screen.

922-002    Pump Head Kit    $79
For SHURflo Pumps

This pump head is usually all that is needed to repair any of the Shurflo pumps we carry. If you're really remote, bring a spare along with you. The pump head includes the pressure switch and check valve, as well as the entire diaphragm section of the pump.

Diaphragm / Drive Kit
922-003     For SHURflo Pumps     $29

This kit can be used to repair SHURflo Model 344, 145,144 and the Twin Head pumps we sell. It would be used to replace a bad diaphragm, if your pump head housing and pressure switch were still serviceable.

Float Switch
520-002    12,24,120 or 230V 13A    $89

This single pole double throw float switch can be used to turn a pump on or off depending on the level of liquid in your container. The float is tethered to the side of the tank and is activated depending on the depth of liquid. Wiring and mechanical installations are included.

510-002     High Flow Strainer Kit     $18.00
For SHURflo Smart Sensor Pump

This filter screen is meant to be placed in the suction line of SHURflo’s Smart Sensor pump. It fastens to the input line using the same quick connect fittings that come with the pump.

FlowLight Booster Pump

Flowlight Booster Pump shown with In-Line Filter and Easy Installation Kit