RPS Systems are designed for a wide range of pump styles and sizes. Some components are universal (like the Controller, Mounting, AC Input Wiring, Pump Wiring, Sensor Wiring) and some plumbing and wiring will be specific to your pump and system size. Most of the information you need will be on this page, but you can also click to open more specifics/plumbing for the different models below.
If you’ve got your user manual you can find all the content listed below there too – or view the RPS Pro Series User Manual online here.
Some helpful things to get started.
- Pump wire extension: Use 10 gauge 4-strand wire (4 conductors, often called 3+Ground) to extend the pump wire to your desired depth. More details are provided in the next section.
- Tank sensor wire extension: To extend the available in the Communications / Home Security section of your local hardware store. Between tank and controller.
- Drop pipe: Black poly pipe is most common and easiest to work with; this attaches to your pump end. PVC and steel pipe may also be used. More details are provided in the next section.
- Polypropylene rope: Cut to desired depth and attach to the pump as a safety line. The drop pipe will hold the pump, but the rope will support the pump in case the drop pipe breaks or is damaged.
- Grounding rod: To ground your controller and panels. Clamp and 6’ of copper wire
- Something to seal the top of your well casing, well seal,
- Solar panel mount: RPS offers 8-panel adjustable top-of-pole mount and Scalable Ground Mount kits that are compatible with 4.5”OD Schedule 40 Steel Pipe (for the 8-panel) the Scalable Ground Mount that mounts on a 2” substructure for up to 40+ panels (rpssolarpumps.com/mounting).
- The pipe and cement are not included as it is too bulky to ship with kits. Alternatively, use any mounting design of your choice—creativity is encouraged!
- Wire stripper/crimper
- Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips head)
- Electrical tape (for attaching wire to drop pipe)
- Teflon tape for tight thread connections (recommended)
- Two adjustable wrenches
- Heat gun or butane torch for heat-shrink sleeves
- Multimeter (highly recommended)
- Large bucket or barrel for testing the system
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use batteries with my Pro Series system? No. A Pro System can only take backup power from a 220V power source, like Ac grid power or a generator. Batteries are not compatible, Pro systems are higher voltage, which makes battery banks not feasible.
Can I use wind power to supply power to my Pro Series system? Not at this time, unless the wind power can be inverted to 220V, which the Pro Controller can utilize for backup power.
What about submersion limits? How far down can I place the pump in a well? All of our Pro Volume and Pro Deep pumps have a maximum submersion ability of 500 feet, meaning the pump may be placed up to 500 feet below the static water level. Exceeding the maximum submersion may cause serious harm to the pump and render it unusable.
Will the pump turn itself off? If you plan on pumping into an overflowing tank or a pond, you won’t need an external shut off. The Pro pump will operate from sun up to down, always requiring a minimum voltage to operate. Once there is no longer sunlight, the system will shut off until the next morning, upon which it will attempt to turn on again once there is sufficient voltage from the panels.
If you plan pumping into a tank and want the pump to shut off once the tank has filled, you’ll need an external shut off like a float switch or a mechanical float valve connected to a reverse action pressure switch. These floats will send a signal to the controller telling the pump to shut off once the tank is full, and another signal telling the pump to turn on if the tank is emptying.
Can my pump be upgraded in the future? No, that is why we are so carful about sizing you correctly the first time, and building a water budget that accounts for future expansion.
With that being said, you could potentially swap out the current pump with a higher powered pump and keep the same controller. A higher horsepower pump would require more panels as well.
Can I add more panels to increase performance? Yes! More panels will ramp up the pump in a shorter period of time to 60Hz, meaning that the system achieves ideal operating frequency faster with more panels. For setups located in areas with low light conditions this is especially helpful. Plus, you’ll be able to pump longer in general, earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon.
For example, we have a customer out in Arizona with a Pro1000D who started out with the standard twelve 100W panels and then bought an additional twelve 100W panels for expansion. They are able to pump through the end of the day and under rolling clouds.
Thinking of adding more panels? You have two options….
- Incrementally add more panels in series (daisy chain). Ensure that you do not exceed the controller’s maximum 450VDC
- Double the number of panels used, connect the new string in parallel to the original string of panels
Is it safe to leave my panels connected when my pump is not running? Solar panels do not hold any charge, and they won’t “over voltage” or leak power to a controller if a pump isn’t operating. Keeping the system in “ON” mode 24/7 is totally safe, the pump will turn on as needed when the float switch or reverse action pressure switch communicate a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan pumping into a tank and want the pump to shut off once the tank has filled, you’ll need an external shut off like a float switch or a mechanical float valve connected to a reverse action pressure switch. These floats will send a signal to the controller telling the pump to shut off once the tank is full, and another signal telling the pump to turn on if the tank is emptying.
With that being said, you could potentially swap out the current pump with a higher powered pump and keep the same controller. A higher horsepower pump would require more panels as well.
For example, we have a customer out in Arizona with a Pro1000D who started out with the standard twelve 100W panels and then bought an additional twelve 100W panels for expansion. They are able to pump through the end of the day and under rolling clouds.
Thinking of adding more panels? You have two options….
- Incrementally add more panels in series (daisy chain). Ensure that you do not exceed the controller’s maximum 450VDC
- Double the number of panels used, connect the new string in parallel to the original string of panels
System Components
PUMP — Your system will either come with one of our Well Pumps, Surface Pumps, or Dewatering pumps. In the case of our well pumps you will have a motor and a pump end that will need to be assembled.
PUMP CONTROLLER — This large sturdy controller is the brains of the system. Arrives pre-programmed for the specific HP your pump and motor and will adjust the speed of the pump’s motor based on available power from the sun. The pump controller is waterproof but protecting it from direct sun and weather is still encouraged. We suggest mounting underneath the shade of the solar panel array.
FLOAT SWITCH — This can be used in a storage tank to tell controller to stop pumping when the tank is full. Wires can be extended with any two strand wire. Wire gauge is not important, as they are signal wires but common wire gauges are between 16 to 24 gauge.
HOSE BARB AND HOSE CLAMPS — Submersible Well Pumps Kits Only. The corrosion-resistant stainless steel fitting allows for the connection to poly pipe. Use minimum of 160 psi poly for up to 300’ and 250 psi for lengths up to 500’. Mos recommend rigid plumbing after that.
SOLAR CONNECTOR WIRES — 2 wires with MC4s. These will connect your panels to your DC Disconnect. There are 2x 20 foot lengths of solar extension cable to connect the panels.
DC DISCONNECT SWITCH — An instant shut off switch rated for the DC power. This switch allows the power from your solar array to be shut off from your controller. NOTE: in some larger systems you may receive multiple.
PRO SERIES ACCESSORY KIT— Every Pro Series kit will come with most of the accessories you need. In your accessory kit your will find: 7) Mounting & Grounding Kit 8) Pump Splice Kit 9) Tank Sensor Splice Kit 10) Electrical Tape & Teflon Tape 11) Keypad and wire for advanced use only 12) Plug connector for Pump Wires & Optional AC Input 13) Tank Sensor Plug & Pigtail
System grounding
Controller grounding is required for system safety and helps protect your system. It is very important that you ground your controller. To do this locate the grounding screw (as noted by the symbol in image 1) on the side of your controller’s heat sink. Take the grounding lug (located in your pro-series accessory bag) and secure it to your controller using the grounding screw.
Once the lug is secured to your controller loosen the crimping screw and insert your copper grounding wire, then tighten down the crimping screw.
A dedicated ground rod should be pounded into the ground as deep as possible to achieve a good ground.
Run your copper wire to a copper grounding rod,and then secure the bare copper wire using the bolt on the grounding clamp as shown in image 4.
