Solaram™ Surface Pump 8000 series

©2003 Windy Dankoff

This powerful pump pushes extremely high vertical lift through long pipelines, from shallow water sources. It provides as much as 5400 Gallons per day (20,000 ltrs.) pushing as high as 960 Feet (292m) using solar-electric power.

(Image shows Solaram pump with Linear Current Booster (accessory) mounted in junction box on pump base)

Solaram Surface Pump draws water from a shallow well, spring, pond, river or tank. It can push water uphill and over long distances for home, village, irrigation or livestock uses. It can use power directly from a photovoltaic array, to fill a storage tank.

Features

• Ultra-Efficient: Uses less power than ANY other pump in its range. Starts pumping in low light conditions
• Economical: Reduces power system cost by 25 to 75% compared to centrifugal or AC pumps
• Rugged and Reliable: Proven design with a 20-year life expectancy
• Simple to Maintain
• Dirt Tolerant
• Dry Run Tolerant
• Easy to Install

Recommendations

"We have four Solaram pumps working in Panama, one of them for six years. Another in the Sierra Tarahumara of Mexico is in its eighth year. Enough time has passed and water pumped for us to enthusiastically endorse the product."
Ed Crocker, Technical Director, Waterlines
Santa Fe, NM

Suction capacity

25 vertical feet (7.6m) at sea level. Subtract 1 foot for every 1000 ft. elevation (1m for every 1000m). Suction capacity may be further limited by intake pipe friction or gasses in water. For best reliability, place the pump as close to the water source as possible.

Construction

• Multiple diaphragm industrial design
• Cast aluminum pump body
• Neoprene diaphragms backed by pistons
• Non-toxic oil-filled crankcase
• Massive ball bearings
• Permanent Magnet DC Motor
• Gear (timing) belt drive
• Pressure relief valve include
• Flexible intake/outlet hoses included

Maintenance

Preventive maintenance must be done on an annual basis for pumps that are used all-day, year-round in a dry climate (1000 peak running hours). With less intensive duty, maintenance interval may be reduced to every 2 or 3 years. This consists of replacing the diaphragms and the oil. Detailed instructions are included. Motor brushes typically last for 10 years of intensive duty.

Fittings

• Intake: 1-1/4inch male pipe thread
• Outlet: 1 inch female pipe thread

Dimensions

• 28 X 16 X 16.5 in. High (71 X 41 X 42 cm)
• Weight, max. 150 lbs (68 kg) Shipped in 2 parcels

1 year manufacturers warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Accessories

• 1 1/4inch Foot Valve FV-8000 (if pump is placed higher than water source)
• Float Switch FS-FT/RC for remote shut-off of the pump when tank fills
• Diaphragm and Oil Kit: Supplies for regular preventive maintenance
• Long-Term Parts Kit: Three Diaphragm and Oil Kits, plus a gearbelt and a motor brush set

Choosing a surface pump

Solaram™ Surface Pump 8000 Series
Performance Chart showing Water-flow versus Total-lift

Use the chart to determine a 4-digit model number based on flow and total lift requirements. Make note of the voltage indicated.

Performance may vary +/- 10 % from shown on chart.

• Total Lift = The sum of the Vertical Distance from surface of the water source to the pipe outlet or top of storage tank, and pipeline friction loss
• GPM = U.S. Gallons per Minute
• LPM = Liters per Minute

Power System Requirements

• Solar (PV) Array: Chart indicates power (watts) required at the pump. For solar array-direct (non-battery) systems, the rated power of the PV array must exceed the pump watts by 25% or more.
• 180V Models: Use a multiple of 10 modules in series.
• Linear Current Booster (pump controller) is required to facilitate starting and to prevent stalling in low-light conditions. 81-- and 82-- models use LCB20M-50V. 83--, 84-- and 85-- models use LCB6HV.
• Solar Tracker: Optional, to increase daily yield (typically 30%).