Can I add Batteries to my RPS Solar Pump System?
Yes! Here are some things to consider, and some common diagrams.
NOTE: RPS 200-800 systems run most efficiently using solar power alone. While it does make sense for some customers to add a battery bank (especially with low GPM wells and for household water pressure), whenever possible, our engineers do recommend pumping more water into a storage tank for overnight use rather than adding the expense and complication of batteries. Batteries are not guaranteed for 24hour pumping but they are great for that extra little boost at the end of the day!
I also want to include some videos that will help answer some more battery questions.
Alternative Power for Solar Pumps
The RPS Controller When set to BAT mode, the solar panels will charge the batteries, and the pump will run off battery power rather than solar power directly. (Controller’s Power light will blink) There is a PWM solar charge controller inside your pump controller that facilitates charging, prevents overcharging, and prevents discharging batteries to a damaging level. It should be mentioned that during charging, some power and voltage is lost, leading to a 15% to 25% decrease in pumping efficiency. These decreases are greater for deeper wells and higher heads.
What Type of Batteries should I use?
Batteries must be deep-cycle batteries, not standard car batteries.
Deep-cycle batteries are designed to accommodate much lower continual discharges than regular car batteries and are usually sold as “marine” or “RV” batteries.
Lead Acid Batteries are the cheapest deep-cycle batteries and are easiest to find.
Lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate batteries are not compatible.
How should I store these Batteries?
It is always beneficial to install your batteries in some type of enclosure or somewhere indoors completely protected from the elements; this is often required by local electrical codes. The enclosure may also be insulated, or it may have active or passive cooling/heating mechanisms to protect the batteries from excessive temperatures. Batteries should not ever be in below freezing temperatures. Above ground enclosures should be out of direct sun or under some type of shade or insulated.
Below are some examples of battery installs.
Poor Install:
Best Install:
Diagrams:
Below, I am going to include some battery diagrams that will help give you a better visual of some popular setups.
How many batteries do I need?
If you are adding batteries in order to pump more water than is possible in a solar day, you will need to increase the number of solar panels in your system.
Add solar panels in parallel to maintain the same voltage to the controller. More batteries can also be added for greater total storage capacity, as long as they are added in parallel at the same voltage.
Batteries should be at the same voltage as the Solar Panel Array.
Use 12v batteries in sets or 2 in series for RPS 200 and 400 (to make 24v) and sets of 4 for the RPS 800 (to make 48v).
More sets can be added in parallel as needed, but we recommend starting small and adding as needed. (If using 6v batteries, you’ll need double the number series!)
RPS400V-800V (Centrifugal pump)
While this system uses the same controller as the above pumps do, RPS does not recommend batteries with this style pump. This is due to a number of factors, but mainly the loss of pumping power is just too big to overcome any benefit gained by adding batteries to the system. Their are few exceptions to this rule, but if you have a V series pump and are considering adding batteries and are not sure if your set-up would work with that, please call the engineers at (530)240-3825
Tankless Pressure Pumps and Booster Pumps (Pressure pump systems)
The pressure pump systems come with a controller and batteries if purchased as a full solar system. The amount of batteries corresponds with the amount of solar panels and is sized by our sizing specialists for the amount of anticipated use at the time of purchase. However, we understand that things change over time and due to dryer years, more usage of the pump may be necessary. In cases like these, adding more batteries (and solar panels to match) on to your system is an excellent idea. Generally speaking we prefer if our customers reach out to the engineers when re-sizing to insure that you will get the amount of usage you would like. However, if you are confident in your understanding, you will need to match the battery type and solar panel specs to the ones originally purchased.
What Type of Batteries should I use?
The batteries are somewhat dependent on current availability of when you purchased the system and can be different. They will either be an AGM battery or a GEL battery. AGM batteries we have carried are either fully grey by Back40 or fully black by Mighty Max, while GEL batteries are a grey body with a blue top by Back40. If you would like to replace your full battery bank with locally purchased batteries, you will need 12v deep cycle lead acid batteries added in sets of 4, either wired 24v or 48v.
Lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate batteries are not compatible.
How should I store these Batteries?
It is always beneficial to install your batteries in some type of enclosure or somewhere indoors completely protected from the elements; this is often required by local electrical codes. The enclosure may also be insulated, or it may have active or passive cooling/heating mechanisms to protect the batteries from excessive temperatures. Batteries should not ever be in below freezing temperatures. Above ground enclosures should be out of direct sun or under some type of shade or insulated.
GLS (Gridless Sump Pump)
The GLS system has the same controller as the pressure pumps so follow all above recommendations.
Pro Series
The Pro series pumps do not accept batteries and there is no way to use batteries in conjunction with this system.
Watersecure 3k/6k/12k
The WaterSecure systems come with batteries and the amount of batteries corresponds with the amount of solar panels and is sized by our sizing specialists for the amount of anticipated use at the time of purchase. However, we understand that things change over time and due to dryer years, more usage of the pump may be necessary. In cases like these, adding more batteries (and solar panels to match) on to your system is an excellent idea. Generally speaking we prefer if our customers reach out to the engineers when re-sizing to insure that you will get the amount of usage you would like. However, if you are confident in your understanding, you will need to match the battery type and solar panel specs to the ones originally purchased.
What Type of Batteries should I use?
The batteries are somewhat dependent on current availability of when you purchased the system and can be different. They will either be an AGM battery or a GEL battery. AGM batteries we have carried are either fully grey by Back40 or fully black by Mighty Max, while GEL batteries are a grey body with a blue top by Back40. If you would like to replace your full battery bank with locally purchased batteries, you will need 12v deep cycle lead acid batteries added in sets of 4, wired 24v for the 3k, and 48v for the 6k and 12k.
Lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate batteries are not compatible.
How should I store these Batteries?
It is always beneficial to install your batteries in some type of enclosure or somewhere indoors completely protected from the elements; this is often required by local electrical codes. The enclosure may also be insulated, or it may have active or passive cooling/heating mechanisms to protect the batteries from excessive temperatures. Batteries should not ever be in below freezing temperatures. Above ground enclosures should be out of direct sun or under some type of shade or insulated.
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