FROM PUMPING ADRENALINE TO PUMPING MORE WATER WITH SOLAR!  

Terry Moss, former multiple national saloon car champion, has also been involved in solar water pumping on the sideline for years. He now developed a range of solar pumps which pumps 70% – 90% more than the models he developed before. “We are very proud of our latest range of pumps, known as the Watermax Penta range. These pumps are extremely efficient, reliable and cost efficient, especially with the cost of solar modules being reduced significantly the past few months”, the ex-racing driver states.

The very popular WATERMAX range of positive displacement solar powered submersible pumps are currently exported to more than 15 countries over the globe and includes countries like the USA, Mexico, Australia, Spain and a number of African Countries. “We are proud that a product from South Africa is gaining this sort of global recognition,” says Terry Moss who is also a  Senior Director at All Power in Port Elizabeth who manufactures the relevant pump range.

Terry started developing the pump range in 1989 and subsequently the pump range has been established as a most reliable and high quality product range.

All Power has supplied more than 8000 WATERMAX solar water pumps to numerous farmers, game and nature reserves.

“Our pump is silent-running, as it does not need any fuels or oils to operate, it is regarded as the most environment-friendly pump on the market,” explains Moss. During 1998 – 1999 the Watermax pumps were successfully tested at the University of Neubiberg at Munich, Germany by instruction of Siemens Solar. The University randomly tested three WATERMAX models and these tests ratified the advertised WATERMAX specifications. “In fact, the South African pumps exceeded their specifications by quite a percentage,” Mr Jon Adams, the then Siemens Energy Solutions manager of Off-grid confirmed. Siemens Solar and Shell Solar recently combined their operations and now operate as such under the Shell Renewables umbrella.

All Power manufactures the various spares of the WATERMAX pump range in-house in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and consequently the availability of spares for servicing after a couple of years of operation is no problem – it is thus not necessary to depend on importing of spares when required.

“In my opinion, South African and global customers have access to an excellent range of solar pumps and an extremely efficient back-up service”, Moss said.

WATERMAX boasts with a full range of solar pumps which can deliver flow rates of up to 16 000 litres per day. These pumps operate directly from solar modules (without batteries) and some run on as little as 10W power. These pumps can operate in muddy-, lime- and saltwater and are fitted with sealed bearings.

The desired flow rate, water level in the source and the surface lift determines the most suitable WATERMAX model and solar module configuration. Some WATERMAX pumps can handle a static head of up to 150m and all pumps are fitted with an equalizing diaphragm to combat submergence pressures, which neutralize external pressure on the pump and consequently results in much quicker startup and increased efficiency at all total heads.

New models are continually developed and added to the range. The latest additions to the range are know as the Watermax PENTA  (a PENTA A for up to 80m total head, PENTA B for up to 100m head and PENTA C for up to 160m head) is available to deliver even higher flow rates than before. The PENTA A, for example, delivers 1 200 litres per hour at 80m!

Constructing the WATERMAX pumps from high quality bronze and stainless steel, ensures that the pump can last for years and in addition maintenance is relatively low cost, simple and quick. In extreme cases where it is necessary to overhaul the pump, the cost of bearings, brushes and diaphragms could be less than R500. “We realised the importance of the WATERMAX being service friendly and therefore we developed the WATERMAX products such that the customer can handle the servicing himself,” says Moss.

Because of the fact that pumps are lightweight and easy to transport and handle, installation can be done within 30 minutes, using all non-corrosive materials and pipes.

For any enquiries please contact All Power at 041-4513936 (fax 041-4532659) or e-mail at info@allpower.co.za.