Solar pool pump

[Stacy]

I currently have a standard 1hp AC pool pump running of an exterior outlet. I’m thinking about connecting the pump to my MPP All-in-one inverter.

Question, if I have a few panels connected to the MPP and have the MPP connected to grid power through an exterior outlet will it automatically switch the power source running the pump? I’m think this would be the simplest way to utilize solar and reduce energy costs on the pool.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

What MPP?
What batteries?
How much PV?

Most AiO can fall back to grid at a given battery voltage.

 

[wpns]

Can’t really tell, but if you have a grid-tied inverter you don’t need to connect it to particular loads, it’ll just run everything in concert with the grid.

 

[rin67630]

The easiest way would be to use a 12V/24V DC pump with a 12V/24V AC power supply and a 12V/24V nominal (18V/36V peak) solar panel in parallel with 2 blocking diodes. When there is enough sun, the panel will deliver more voltge than the power supply which won't have to supply any current.

 

[AntronX]

Growatt can do batteryless grid assisted PV mode (called SUB mode?) Maybe your MPP can do the same.

 

[Warpspeed]

@rogerdw connected up a treadmill motor directly to some series connected solar panels, and used a belt to drive the redundant ac motor.
He can run it either from solar, by fitting the belt, or remove the belt and run it from grid power.
This has run successfully for at least a couple of years.

There is a thread about it here somewhere, but cannot find it right now.

 

[rogerdw]

Hi, yeah it had run successfully for a full three years and I only retired it when I got the Warpverter going and decided to use the panels in my complete array ... and of course the power is now essentially free, so the pool's not a worry any more.

This is the thread where it was discussed before ... https://diysolarforum.com/threads/taking-the-pool-pump-solar-powered.43948/page-2#post-556818

And a link to the build with pictures etc over on the back shed ... https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?FID=10&TID=13406