Hi, I’m Amy from the altE Store. I wanted to go over some of the basics of solar water
pumping with Shurflo surface pumps. Surface pumps are a key component in solar
water systems. They are simple and reliable pumps to move water to and from your holding
tank to your home. These can also be used to boost water pressure inside the home so
that your shower is a satisfying spray, your upstairs faucet flows nicely and your toilet
flushes as needed. If you are pumping water from a water source into a storage tank, they
can be run PV direct, connected right to a solar panel, preferably with a pump controller
to boost the solar panels current output to the pump, making it start earlier and run
later. See more on pump controllers here. With PV direct, you simply pump water when
the sun is up, and store it to be used whenever you need it, regardless of the sun. If you
are using the pump as a booster pump to increase your water pressure, then it needs to be connected
to a battery bank to make sure power is available when you need to add pressure. Otherwise you'd
never be able to take a shower at night after the sun went down.
You can see that they look a bit different from a submersible pump that is intended to
be lowered into a well or water source, and pulls the surrounding water into its body, and pushes out the top
pipe connection. The surface pumps have an intake and an output to piping, and sit above
the water, in a protected location. You can see more details on submersible pumps here.
Shurflo has three series of surface pumps. The 8000 series is higher pressure of 60 to
up to 120psi, or pounds per square inch, and about 1 1/2 gallons per minute, depending
on the model and is designed to boost pressure inside the home.
These are available in 12vdc, 24vdc, and 115vac.
The 2088 series are medium volume transfer pumps. The pump up to 3 gallons per minute
and up to 50psi. Also available in 12 and 24vdc and 115vac.
The Shurflo 5000 series are high volume water movers. These pump up to 5.3gpm and up to
60psi. It's Available in 12 or 24vdc.
Check out the altestore for more details on the pumps capabilities by looking at their
pump charts. Pumps are generally able to push water much
further than pulling it, so you want to install the pump as close to the water source as possible.
Shurflo surface pumps are self priming up to 6 or 8 feet, depending on the model.
They can run dry without damage, and are user serviceable. The pumps can be mounted in any
manner to fit where you need it. The 5000 series features a sealed switch and motor
shell to keep incidental water spray from damaging the pump. But do note, that even
though it is a sealed motor and switch, all Shurflo surface pumps are designed to be installed
out of the elements in a building or shed.
Here’s a few tips we got from Shurflo:
When installing a Shurflo surface pump, please be certain to install a Shurflo strainer on
the intake. This will strain away any debris harmful to the pump. Be certain to also clean
out the strainer as needed. The fittings are all tapered thread, so do
NOT over-tighten these. Thread by hand until snug and then perhaps another 1⁄4 turn – that
is it, not more is needed. Also, no pipe tape is needed on the pump fittings. These are
tapered and do not need tape, which could find it’s way in the pump head causing damage.
When winter is on its way, be sure to winterize your water system, especially surface pumps.
This can be done by adding a food grade anti- freeze or removing the pumps for the cold season.
Pumps with water in the head or the line can freeze and then expand. This can
crack the pump head or line causing significant damage. An ounce of prevention is easily worth
the effort required. Shurflo surface pumps are a reliable and economical
option for the solar user. If you need to move water from your tank to your home or
to boost the pressure inside, then you should consider Shurflo for your needs. Shurflo has
been building reliable water transfer pumps for nearly 50 years and that’s a lot of
satisfied customers!
Thanks for watching, I hope this was helpful. If so, give us a like and a share
and be sure to subscribe to our altEstore channel so we can notify you when we've got new videos out.
And don't forget to go to our website at altestore.com, where we've been making renewable do able
since 1999.