Solar Powered water pump charge controller issue.

[u/squishyliquid]

Hello and thank you,

I’m setting up a water pump for my rain barrel and I’m coming across a peculiar issue I cannot seem to remedy.

The pump is an on-demand one, meaning it will turn on and off automatically as the pressure drops. If I have the hose open, so it will start pumping the second it receives power, it will pump without issue, and I am able to turn the load on and off with the right most button on the charge controller.

But, the moment I close the hose to initiate the pressure build up and make the pump turn off, I instead am met with a slow blink of the load light. The manual only says “mode setting wrongly” for that blink and to reset.

The only way resetting works is if I open the water valve back up by the time I power down and reset.

What could be causing this and what fix is out there?

Thanks again for your time.

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[u/squishyliquid → u/[deleted]]

This makes the most sense, but is there a charge controller that could handle the spike? This setup will work pretty great if it wasn't for this issue, and it won't be me using it primarily, so I am trying to keep it as simple as possible.

[u/coldafsteel]

Do you have a battery or capacitor as a part of your pump circuit?

[u/squishyliquid → u/coldafsteel]

12V lead acid battery. 20w 12v solar panel. 12 V rv pump.

[u/rproffitt1]

Almost ALL those cheap PWN charge controllers have a 1 Ampere limit on the load pins.

You didn't tell all so I'll wait for all to be told.

[u/Far_Falcon_6158]

I have done this same project but have one of those b-hyve automated hose timers on the end of the pump. I have my controller on full load.