Summary of Contents for Dankoff Solar Products SunCentric P
- Page 1 Instruction Manual Solar Powered Centrifugal Pump for swimming pools, agriculture & more Dankoff Solar Products, Inc Santa Fe, NM USA (505) 473-3800 (888) 396-6611 www.dankoffsolar.com 1 . 1...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS WARNINGS ............................3 INTRODUCTION ..........................4 INSTALLING THE SOLAR ARRAY....................4 Location of the Solar Array..........................4 Solar Array Mounting Rack ..........................5 Solar Array Assembly Methods......................... 5 Orienting the Solar Array to Solar South ......................6 Setting the Solar Array Tilt Angle........................7 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION ......................8 Controller, Junction Box, and Conduit ...................... -
Page 3: Warnings
Please give it to the owner or maintenance personnel when you are finished! Request copies from your SunCentric supplier, or download from www.dankoffsolar.com Copyright © 2003 by BERNT LORENTZ KG and DANKOFF SOLAR PRODUCTS, INC. All rights reserved ETAPUMP is a registered trademark of BERNT LORENTZ KG SUNCENTRIC P™... -
Page 4: Introduction
Check the model numbers of all the components of your system, and verify that they are the items that you ordered. Also check against the SunCentric P specifications and performance charts (end of this manual) to be sure the system is appropriate for your application. -
Page 5: Solar Array Mounting Rack
40-50%. (It is much less effective in winter and in cloudy weather.) A tracker is an option with SunCentric P Systems. PHOTO Typical assembly of a solar array on a passive (non-electric) tracker. The tracker pipe was extended to about 10 feet (3m), by welding it to a larger pipe. -
Page 6: Orienting The Solar Array To Solar South
3.4 Orienting the Solar Array to Solar South For full performance, your solar array must be oriented within 10° of true (solar) south. Depending on your location, a compass reading may show an error of as much as 20°. To correct this discrepancy, apply the magnetic declination for your region. -
Page 7: Setting The Solar Array Tilt Angle
3.5 Setting the Solar Array Tilt Angle Some solar array racks are adjustable to a desired angle, to accommodate both the location and the season. We offer these choices for seasonal management. 1. YEAR-ROUND COMPROMISE (no seasonal adjustment) Set the angle equal to the latitude of the location and “forget it”. -
Page 8: Electrical Installation
4 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 4.1 Controller, Junction Box, and Conduit WARNING To be installed, connected and serviced by qualified personnel only. Ensure all power sources are disconnected when making connections to the controller. Follow all appropriate electrical codes. There are no user serviceable parts inside the motor or the controller. System Wiring Diagram If your pump was purchased as part of a pre-packaged system, a System Wiring Diagram should be attached at the back of this manual. - Page 9 Keep the controller and junction box sealed Unused holes must be sealed against animals, insects, water and dirt. Each hole is supplied with a rubber plug that can be kept in place for this purpose. CAUTION Loose connections are the most common cause of system failures. Pull on each connection to confirm that it is secure.
- Page 10 Typical assembly of the controller and junction box on the solar array mounting pole. Boxes are secured using slotted strut and conduit clamps. Mount the controller on the north side of the pole to reduce solar heating. Bare ground wires bond the PV modules to the controller enclosure, and continue down to the ground rod.
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Page 11: Grounding And Lightning Protection
4.2 Grounding and Lightning Protection WARNING Failure to install and connect an effective grounding system will greatly increase the risk of lightning damage and will void your warranty. We suggest you wire the grounding system FIRST so it is not overlooked. The concrete footer of a ground-mounted array will NOT provide adequate electrical grounding. - Page 12 Grounding the pump ETAPUMP requires a ground wire for safety. Connect the ground wire to any ground connection in the junction box or to the controller enclosure. Float switch cable (This does not apply to swimming pool applications.) A long run of control cable to a float switch can pick up damaging surges from nearby lightning.
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Page 13: Solar Array Wiring
SunCentric P solar-direct (non-battery) systems use a variety of array configurations. Some use 12V (nominal) modules, and some use 24V modules. Modules are connected in series for 36 or 48V, and sometimes also in parallel to increase the current. -
Page 14: Solar Array Disconnect Switch In The Junction Box
WARNING SOLAR-DIRECT systems only — Do not connect any electrical load or device to the solar array if it is not part of the SunCentric P system. Connection of a battery charger, active tracker controller, electric fence charger, or other load simultaneously with SunCentric will “confuse” the controller and prevent proper operation. -
Page 15: Maximum Rpm Setting
Failure to perform this adjustment may cause damage and will void the warranty. The ETAPUMP EP-600A controller supplied with SunCentric P pumps is manufactured for a variety of solar pumps. SunCentric P applications require this change from the standard factory setting. -
Page 16: Motor Wiring Order For Correct Rotation
4.7 Motor Wiring Order for Correct Rotation WARNING If the pump wires are in the wrong order, the motor will run in reverse. This may cause the impeller to spin off and “crash”, causing damage. Test the pump for proper direction before allowing it to come up to full speed (takes 15 seconds). -
Page 17: Low-Water Probe For Dry-Run Protection
The low-water probe should be used if it is possible for the pump’s water source to run low, causing the pump to lose prime or to run dry. The low-water probe is not included with SunCentric P. To obtain this accessory, order ETAPUMP Low-Water Probe Item # 11682 from your Dankoff Solar supplier. - Page 18 Remote N. O. SWITCH CONTACTS Float Common 4 in a timer or other automatic device, or Switch a manual ON/OFF switch. ILLUSTRATION Connection of NORMALLY OPEN switching device to “float switch” terminals 4 and 5 in the junction box The system is factory-supplied with a jumper wire installed between terminal 4 and 5. Remove this jumper wire before installing a normally open (N.O.) switch to these terminals.
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Page 19: Automatic Control For Full-Tank Shutoff
(See Section 4.2, Grounding and Lightning Protection). Float Switch Cable from Dankoff Solar Products (Item #10326) meets these requirements. It is approved for sun exposure and direct burial, has a twisted pair and a metallic shield for surge resistance. - Page 20 QUESTION Why do we use a reverse-action (N.O.) float switch? ANSWER If the cable connection is broken, the pump will continue to operate. The water supply will not be disrupted (but of course, the tank will overflow). This is the general preference in the industry. If you prefer the pump to stop if the connection is broken, use a normally closed float switch instead.
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Page 21: Ac Backup
AC-DC power converter – “AC Power Pack” (Dankoff Solar Item #11930). This product allows the use of 115 or 230VAC power to run SunCentric P for emergency or supplemental backup. Utility power or a portable generator can be used, and interfaced automatically with solar. The flow rate will equal that shown on the specifications for a system using a 600 watt solar array. -
Page 22: Swimming Pool Systems
This reduces the INITIAL cost, but increases the power requirement. With a solar pump, power is paid for up-front, so this is false economy. SunCentric P is not sized to handle a high-resistance piping system (with back-pressure greater than 15 PSI). -
Page 23: Interface With Pool Cleaners And Pool Sweeps
A solar pump may not be able to operate certain types of automatic pool cleaners, pool sweeps, or vacuum cleaners. Some of these devices depend on the pool’s filter pump to supply the necessary suction or pressure. The SunCentric P may not have sufficient power to operate this type of cleaner. -
Page 24: Pump Installation
6 PUMP INSTALLATION 6.1 Pump Location Locate pump as close to the water source as practical. For swimming pools, consult local codes for minimum distance between pool and pump. Place the pump on a solid foundation to provide a rigid and vibration-free support. -
Page 25: Suction-Lift Applications
This causes the seal to overheat, and may cause the surrounding pump material to melt. SunCentric P is designed to hold a reservoir of water to prevent this occurrence by splashing water against the seal. It can usually run for a period of a few hours or possibly a day without water intake, before the seal is at risk. -
Page 26: Operating The Pump
7 OPERATING THE PUMP This explains the function of the switch and the indicator lights on the pump controller. SWITCH POWER ON/OFF (PUSH ON / PUSH OFF) When switched off/on, it resets all system logic. INDICATOR LIGHTS SYSTEM (green) The controller is switched on and the power source is present. -
Page 27: Maintenance
When pump stops from a sudden shadow on the solar array If a shadow suddenly passes over the array, like if you walk in front if it, the controller will lose track of the input voltage. It may make rapid on/off noises and a high-pitched noise, then stop. This does NOT indicate a problem. -
Page 28: Controller And Junction Box Maintenance
8.2 Controller and Junction Box Maintenance Controller and junction box The controller is electronic with no moving or wearing parts. It requires no maintenance. There are rubber gasket seals at the top and bottom, and rubber plugs to seal unused conduit holes. -
Page 29: Exploded View Of Pump
8.5 Exploded View of Pump... -
Page 30: Parts List, Pump And Motor
8.6 Parts List, Pump and Motor Refer to the illustration in Section 7.5, Exploded View of Pump FACTORY ILLUSTRATION NUMBER NUMBER QUANTITY DESCRIPTION 2921116010 LID - CLEAR 2921116020 LOCK RING FOR LID 2920841210 O-RING - LID 137 x 5mm 2920314300 BASKET COMPLETE 2921110108 CASING... -
Page 31: Trouble Shooting
9 TROUBLE SHOOTING Please read this section before calling for help. If you call for help, please refer to the model and serial numbers. IF THE CONTROLLER MUST BE REMOVED FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT – Remove the wires and flexible conduit from the controller and remove the CONTROLLER ONLY. LEAVE THE JUNCTION BOX IN PLACE. -
Page 32: Test The System
Inspect the controller and junction box 1. Remove the screws from the bottom plate of the controller. Move the plate downward (or the controller upward) to reveal the terminal block where the wires connect. (See Section 4.5.) 2. First, check for a burnt smell. This will indicate a failure of the electronics. Look for burnt wires, bits of black debris, and any other signs of lightning damage. -
Page 33: If The Pump Runs But Flow Is Less Than Normal
2. Use an AC voltmeter or a multimeter set to AC volts. (Any AC meter should be sufficient. It does not need to be a “true RMS” meter.) 3. Measure between each combination of two pump wires (L1–L2 / L1–L3 / L2–L3). 4. -
Page 34: Warranty
10 WARRANTY SunCentric P pumps and their associated controllers and AC-DC converters are warranted by the manufacturer to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. Failure to provide correct installation, operation, or care for the product, in accordance with the instruction manual, will void the warranty.