Replacement Solar heating pump

[8ightiesfan]

Hi,

Despite attempting repairs my solar heating pump is dead and needs replacing.

The solar heating is the black tubing type on the garage roof and is VERY old and I've repaired it several times over the years to fix leaks. Currently no leaks

I don't know the model or specs of the pump like HP or flow rate. I'm concerned that if I buy a replacement pump that is more powerful it will create more pressure in the tubing and manifold and cause new leaks.

Is this a valid concern? I want to replace the pump with one of the same flow but I don't know the specs of the current pump, or am I overthinking this and a similar pump with a slightly higher rate should not cause any issues?

 

[chiefwej]

A variable speed pump allows you to make any adjustments needed.

 

[8ightiesfan]

A variable speed pump allows you to make any adjustments needed.

Thanks, those pumps tend to be larger and intended as the main pool pump, and also much more expensive. My solar pump runs on a separate circuit and is much smaller in size to the main pump. I think it's around 0.5hp

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks, those pumps tend to be larger and intended as the main pool pump, and also much more expensive. My solar pump runs on a separate circuit and is much smaller in size to the main pump. I think it's around 0.5hp

A .5hp pump is most common. You may be able to get a single speed "down under," but here they are getting near impossible to get.

 

[8ightiesfan]

A .5hp pump is most common. You may be able to get a single speed "down under," but here they are getting near impossible to get.

Thanks, from a bit more googling I reckon my pump is rated at 200 litres a minute at 5m head and a 0.5 hp pump rates the same as this so I reckon this would be a good replacement

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks, from a bit more googling I reckon my pump is rated at 200 litres a minute at 5m head and a 0.5 hp pump rates the same as this so I reckon this would be a good replacement

Be sure that any pump you use is a "high-head" pump. The horsepower rating of a pump is only the starting point. A .5hp pump designed for an above-ground pool likely won't be able to pump water to the roof.

 

[8ightiesfan]

Be sure that any pump you use is a "high-head" pump. The horsepower rating of a pump is only the starting point. A .5hp pump designed for an above-ground pool likely won't be able to pump water to the roof.

Thanks for that advice, the new pump I've selected is recommended for solar use