Question 1

What is the pump designed to do?

Accepted Answer

Pump water for livestock to high summer grazing locations from Spring to Autumn.

Question 2

How much water will it pump?

Accepted Answer

The advantage of a solar pump is that when it's sunny and your stock are drinking more your pump will be pumping more. This chart shows averages across the year as well as peak pumping rates on a midsummer's day.
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Question 3

Will it pump in cloudy weather?

Accepted Answer

Yes but at a lower rate. On a really dark day with dense cloud it may not pump much at all. Fortunately stock drink less in cloudy weather too. The great thing about solar water pumping is that supply often mirrors demand.

Question 4

What is the warranty?

Accepted Answer

The React pump comes with a 12 month warranty which is extended to 24 months if product is registered within 6 months of purchase. Consumable parts such as seals are not covered under warranty and need to be replaced periodically. The pump must be installed/maintained as per our installation & service guides. For full warranty terms please read the user manual.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CnALZRLdN9NkWPUexa_yE_RDRNYuL6N/view)

Question 5

Do I need an electrician?

Accepted Answer

No - provided you feel capable of doing the job after reading the user manual.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CnALZRLdN9NkWPUexa_yE_RDRNYuL6N/view) The system is considered ELV (Extra Low Voltage) in New Zealand and hence is not prescribed electrical work. If you are outside New Zealand please check the laws in your country.

Question 6

Do I need a resource consent?

Accepted Answer

Almost all councils in NZ make the taking of water for domestic and stock supplies a permitted activity. As such pumps like the React pump can be installed without any permit required. There may be a few exceptions for waterways of endangered species, so always check first.
In general taking water from a river, stream, lake or aquifer for use in production, processing, irrigation requires consent. This can be a costly and time consuming undertaking often with significant ongoing annual compliance fees.
If you are outside New Zealand please check with your local authorities.

Question 7

What solar panels can I use?

Accepted Answer

You can use any make of monocrystalline or polycrystalline panel so long as the open circuit voltage (Voc) per panel is <45VDC (at the lowest temperature the panels will experience) and the voltage for peak power (Vmpp) is >30 VDC. Most panels between 250-400W should meet this criteria. You can fit 2 or 4 panels, depending on your head and pumping volume required. They must be wired in pairs to achieve a Voc <90VDC and a Vmpp of >60VDC.

Question 8

What pipe should I use?

Accepted Answer

This will depend on the number of pumps fitted, pipe length and lift. We have a detailed section in our user manual (https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CnALZRLdN9NkWPUexa_yE_RDRNYuL6N/view)about pipe sizing. As the React Pump’s efficiency increases with head you can often save on your installation cost by using a smaller diameter pipe (higher friction loss) with only a minor effect on the amount of water pumped.

Question 9

What is the maximum suction lift?

Accepted Answer

A suction lift is only approved if a gravity feed or pontoon are not viable installation options. A suction lift should be kept as low as possible for reliable operation. Suction lifts of up to 1.5m will be covered by the product warranty. Suction lifts of up to 3m are possible with meticulous installation and are done so at your own risk.

Question 10

What maintenance is required?

Accepted Answer

Routine checks such as the oil level and cleaning the intake. Service interval is typically 12 months pumping clean water. Water quality has a direct impact on service intervals. Seal & valve life are reduced in dirty water. You can watch our service videos here.(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw3msdIet69xr9T_kNGorFbQe4_v5b5u0) 
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Above service schedule is indicative only. Inspect all parts during a service.

Question 11

Do you make different size pumps?

Accepted Answer

No - we like to keep things simple. If you need more water putting in multiple React Pumps is still the cheapest $ per litre pumped. With multiple pumps you can also take one out for servicing and not stop your flow of water. If you need higher lift you can install a second pump half way up your hill.

Question 12

Does it use a battery?

Accepted Answer

No - a water tank on a hill full of water is a better storage system than a chemical battery.

Question 13

Can I run it off a battery?

Accepted Answer

Yes in some cases, but we do not advise it, a water tank on a hill full of water is a better storage system than a chemical battery.

Question 14

Can I run it off mains electricity?

Accepted Answer

Yes provided you use a suitable power supply. Please refer to the user manual.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CnALZRLdN9NkWPUexa_yE_RDRNYuL6N/view)

Question 15

Can I mount it on a pontoon?

Accepted Answer

Yes - this is a good option. The React Pump is light enough to mount on a small pontoon. You can even mount the pump and 4 solar panels all together on a pontoon supported by 4 x 200L plastic barrels. We have examples and instructions in our user manual (https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CnALZRLdN9NkWPUexa_yE_RDRNYuL6N/view)and please watch our video about pontoon mounting here.(https://youtu.be/pavRLgtYiWE)

Question 16

What happens when my tank is full?

Accepted Answer

The pressure sensor in the pump will detect the rise in pressure caused by the ballcock closing and will turn the pump off for 30 minutes.

Question 17

How many solar panels do I need?

Accepted Answer

Normally 4 panels (between 260 - 400W each) per pump. For sites with low head or low water demand you may only need 2 panels.

Question 18

Will my pump freeze in winter?

Accepted Answer

If you intend to operate the pump at times when freezing temperature are likely then you must install the pump in a suitable enclosure so that the pump is not exposed to freezing.

Question 19

What is the difference between a piston pump and a plunger pump?

Accepted Answer

A plunger pump is a positive displacement pump where the high-pressure seal is stationary and a smooth cylindrical ceramic plunger slides through the seal.
A piston pump is a positive displacement pump where the high-pressure seal reciprocates with the piston.
This difference allows plunger pumps to be used at higher pressures. This is why the React Pump can pump up to 300m of head.
The plunger pump used in the React pump is a simple oil lubricated pump which are in the highest efficiency class with mechanical efficiency in the 80-90% range.
Compared to other solar pumps (centrifugal and helical screw) that run at 1000-6000rpm, the React pump runs at up to 1/5 of this speed, around 200-1200 rpm, greatly prolonging the life of parts.

Question 20

Was the pump previously called PowerSpout SHP-Triplex?

Accepted Answer

Yes - Our company EcoInnovation* makes PowerSpout micro hydro turbines . We initially developed and promoted our solar water pump as the SHP-Triplex (SHP-TX). We have rebranded the SHP-TX as the React pump as the customers for hydro turbines and water pumping are often different and we felt the product deserved it's own identity.
 
*EcoInnovation has been a manufacturer for over 20 years, we became a limited company in 2007, prior to that we had the same name but operated as a partnership.

Question 21

How much water do I need for my stock?

Accepted Answer

The following table is sourced from "Economic Evaluation of Stock Water
Reticulation on Hill Country" by NZ Ministry for Primary Industries 2016.
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Question 22

Can it pump dirty water?

Accepted Answer

Yes the React Pump can pump dirty water (within reason) as plunger pumps are less prone to damage than piston pumps. The plunger does not run in a bore where abrasive grit can become trapped. No farmer wants to pump dirty water, as this dirt will foul pipes, tanks and troughs resulting in more work at some future date to clean it all out. Pumping dirty or abrasive water will require more frequent service intervals.

Question 23

Where can I find your contact details?

Accepted Answer

We are flat out making pumps so if you have questions about the React pump or wish to buy a pump please contact one of our dealers.(javascript:void(0))

Question 24

How can I become a dealer or installer?

Accepted Answer

We operate a mentor system where prospective dealers initially purchase from an exisiting dealer until they have the knowledge and experience to become a dealer themselves. If you are interested please contact us here.(https://www.powerspout.com/pages/contact)

Question 25

Is it noisy?

Accepted Answer

The React Pump is much quieter than most fuel engine pumps or water rams. You are unlikely to be able to hear a React pump at 30m away. So noise is not a big issue. For what little noise there is, vegetation or a pump shed around the pump will dramatically reduce the distance that the noise carries.

Question 26

Where can I buy spare parts?

Accepted Answer

All React Pumps come with a spare parts kit for your first two services. You can also purchase spare parts from your dealer or online here.(https://www.powerspout.com/collections/react-pump)

Question 27

Can I pump to a daisy chain of water tanks?

Accepted Answer

Yes - one of our initial test sites in Northland has two tanks. The first at about 50m of head and the second about 1km away at 100m of head. Both tanks are filled by one React pump.

Question 28

My water source is in a valley surrounded by trees, can I still use solar?

Accepted Answer

Yes - solar panels are affected by shading but your solar panels can be up to 250m away from your pump. Ideally keep them within 50m to reduce cable costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Want to keep up to date with the React pump? Subscribe to our mailing list

Want to keep up to date with the React pump?

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