A solution for a electricity headache needed. Solar perhaps?

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macbeth

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Ok, so I've got a 0.75kw pool pump running with a sand filter and uv light for a koi pond.
The pond needs to be on 24/7 but with eskom thats well, almost impossible.
Was wondering if anyone could find a reasonable solution using solar panels and batteries...and how much I'd be looking at?
 
EDIT:

UPS? Solar is great (want to get it as well), but if it's just to keep those items going, bear in mind that the power outages are for a few hours at a time. You are going to have to get the batteries in any case (you can't run directly off panels), and they will have to last the duration of the blackout (cloudy weather / night time). The question is: how will charge the batteries? Mains might be the answer as your cost of electricity would be roughly the same (minus losses) as it would have been with no blackout, but without the added cost of panels.

So I guess the question is... what would be the reason for the setup. If it's only to get through the blackout, you won't need the solar bit.

I am definitely going solar soon... but just because I want to though, as the costs have come down a lot and I want to be off Eskom for the long term.
 
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probably? I'd guess I'd need an inverter as well etc..
I'm very new to this stuff...:)
 
macbeth said:
probably? I'd guess I'd need an inverter as well etc..
I'm very new to this stuff...:)
Click to expand...

I'm sure others will jump in here... but I would start looking for a UPS. What size and make etc... that I can't help you with. Depending on whether you mind the noise or not, you might also just be served with a generator. Not sure if you'd need to run it through a UPS to regulate the power a bit. For a pump, I would imagine not.
 
Would it be cheaper to just run a number of deep cell batteries charging on the main power, to kick in when it trips?
I've had my problems with UPS for computers. They never work as well as they should. Plus we've had a bigger ups at my sister's salon but that also doesnt always work like it should.
To be honest, it is more a long term solution im looking for. To take the pump off the grid. It is one of my biggest electricty guzzlers and it would probably pay for itself over time if i did so...
thanks for the thoughts.
 
I have a 1,1 Kw pool pump, will cost R15k for panels and pump. No batteries. Obviously not 24/7. Exco installation as well. Just to get an idea of costs
 
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macbeth said:
Would it be cheaper to just run a number of deep cell batteries charging on the main power, to kick in when it trips?
I've had my problems with UPS for computers. They never work as well as they should. Plus we've had a bigger ups at my sister's salon but that also doesnt always work like it should.
To be honest, it is more a long term solution im looking for. To take the pump off the grid. It is one of my biggest electricty guzzlers and it would probably pay for itself over time if i did so...
thanks for the thoughts.
Click to expand...

Consumer UPS's are not meant to be replace power supplies. They're just meant to give you the opportunity to power down your equipment properly, nothing more.

A much better solution would be to buy 1 or 2 Deltek deep cycle batteries (102AH ones). They're each about the size of a large car battery. Add to that an inverter, 1KW should be more than enough to power a laptop, LED TV, ADSL Router, etc. And then of course a battery charger to charge your batteries while you have electricity.

If you all you want to do is keep some important electronic stuff going during load shedding for a few hours, then a setup like that is more than enough.
 
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