Impact Pumps SolarPlex SPX-800-5 Setup guide

Page 1 6th March 2023

Impact Pumps SolarPlex SPX-800-5 Quick Start User Guide

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is a horizontal 5-stage centrifugal surface pump

designed for solar and other DC-powered applications. It features integrated

advanced MPPT and Field-Oriented motor control and is fully scalable for power

inputs from 100W-800W, setting a new benchmark in PV-powered water

pumping. The SPX-800-5 also features overspeed, overheat and locked-rotor

protections as standard, with optional level sensor inputs for shallow well and tank

applications. The suction lift of the SPX-800-5 can be extended to up to 60m

depth with Impact Pumps’ SLX-40 range of Lift Extenders.

1. Introduction

This guide explains how to operate the SolarPlex SPX-

800-5 Solar powered surface pump. Please ensure all

installation requirements are met as per our warranty

terms and manufacturers guidance notes. Correctly

operated, the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 has been designed to

give years of trouble-free service and peace of mind.

2. Ports and electrical connections

M12 Female

connector –

optional level

switches and serial

data readout

Discharge port: 1”

threaded connection

for 1 ¼” hose/40mm

OD (DN32) pipe

Suction port: 1” threaded

connection for 1 ¼”

hose/40mm OD (DN32) pipe

Negative (-) Male MC4

PV connector (black)

Positive (+) Female

MC4 PV connector

indicated by red sleeve

Integrated MPPT/motor

controller, control button

and status LEDs

Page 2 6th March 2023

WARNING! ISOLATE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER CONNECTIONS

BEFORE PRIMING. DO NOT OPERATE THE PUMP WITHOUT WATER

INSIDE THE PUMP HEAD CHAMBER.

3. Closed system pumping applications1

(e.g. domestic water supply)

•Ensure inlet pipe/hose is free from leaks and

filled with water at all times;

•Ensure the outlet pipe/hose is raised above the

SolarPlex where possible;

•Protect the SolarPlex from rain and particularly

direct sunlight where possible.

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 can be used to lift water from up to 60m below in

combination with Impact Pumps’ SLX-40 range of Lift Extenders. For further

information, please consult our website at www.impactpumps.com.

4. Open system pumping applications2

(e.g. pumping from open water sources/ shallow wells)

•Locate the SolarPlex as close to the water

level as possible in a dry location with no

risk of flooding/partial immersion;

•Connect the suction port to a foot valve

and inlet filter (sold separately);

•Ensure the suction hose/connections are

free from leaks;

•Locate the inlet end below the waterline;

•Protect the SolarPlex from rain and particularly direct sunlight where possible.

1In this context, “Closed” refers to applications where the water source is located above the pump

e.g. in a tank, as shown. Note: This section also applies to deep-water lifting in combination with

Impact Pumps’ SLX-40 range of Lift Extenders.

2In this context, “Open” refers to applications where the water source is located below the pump

e.g. in a shallow well, as shown. Note: In open-system pumping applications with Impact Pumps’

SLX-40 Lift Extenders, refer to the SLX-40 datasheets available to download from

https://www.impactpumps.com/support/

Page 3 6th March 2023

5. Setup and priming

The pump should be primed full of water before use.

The priming port on the pump should be used to prime

the pump to prevent air locks in the pump. In closed

system applications with positive pressure on the

suction port, the pump may be primed through the

suction port. Trapped air should be released by opening

the priming port as shown. In open system applications

with negative pressure at the inlet (drawing water from

below), the pump should be primed by filling with water

through the priming port as shown.

THE SUCTION HOSE/PIPE MUST ALSO BE FULL AND

FREE OF AIR. Any air locks in the suction hose must be

removed prior to start up. In open system applications

with negative inlet pressure, fitting a non-return valve to

the suction hose (directly to an inlet filter as shown

below), will help to avoid further air locks after priming

provided the inlet is submerged below the water line.

If you are pumping

from an open water

source like a river or

pond you will need

to install the

following 2 parts at

the inlet of the

suction hose:

1. A non-return valve (NRV). In

open system applications,

you will not be able to prime

the pump with water

without a Non-Return Valve

(NRV or check valve).

An inlet filter should also be

attached to the NRV/check

valve

to prevent the pump

becoming blocked with

debris. A filter may be fitted

directly onto the NRV as

shown in the image to the

right here.

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is supplied with 1” BSP (G1”)

Female

threaded suction (inlet) and discharge (outlet)

ports. These should be connected to your application

with

1¼” (DN32) hoses or pipework

using standard

full-bore pipe fittings. For information on Impact

Pumps’ latest range of accessories, please visit

www.impactpumps.com.

Page 4 6th March 2023

6. Electrical power input connections

Once the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 suction and discharge connections have been

made and the pump has been primed, it may be connected to the PV array or

another suitable DC power supply.

WARNING! ENSURE THAT ALL CONNECTORS ARE CLEAN AND DRY.

THE POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE SHOULD NOT EXCEED 100V.

Note: Red sleeved lead connections are ‘positive’

Connect PV panels to the NEG (negative) and POS (positive) terminals. The SPX-800-5 is

provided with standard MC4 solar connectors as shown on page 1. The open-circuit panel

voltage should always be in the range 30-100V and the short-circuit current should not

exceed 20A. For further information on input voltages, please consult the IMPACT PUMPS

SPX-800-5 datasheet.

When the PV panels are connected, the LED on the pump controller box

will show constant amber and then will auto-start after 5 seconds. The pump will initially

start in default 800W maximum power mode, and the LED will show

constant blue.

Minimum Vmp Voltage

To deliver the full 800W of power to the

SolarPlex, the PV panels must have a

combined maximum power voltage (Vmp) of

more than 66V. This is likely to require at least

2 panels, connected in series as shown.

For further information on minimum input

voltages, please consult the IMPACT PUMPS

SPX-800-5 datasheet.

Maximum Voc Voltage

The total

sum

open circuit voltage (Voc)

any PV panels wired in series should be

less

than 100V. If the Voc is higher than 100V the

overvoltage protection will stop the pump

from running, The two panels shown in this

diagram are wired in series.

Vmp+2

Vmp)>66V

2ndVmp

1stVmp

(1stV

+2ndV

)<100V

2ndVoc

1stV

Page 5 6th March 2023

Tip: Parallel Wiring

There is no limit to the number of PV panels

that can be wired in parallel to the SolarPlex.

Parallel wiring increases available current and

not voltage. The SolarPlex SPX-800-5

automatically limits the maximum current

drawn from the PV panels to within the safe

limit of 12A or 800W.

For example, if all the voltages of the 4 panels

shown in this diagram are the same then the

voltage of 3rd and 4th PV panels would not add

any extra voltage to the total sum open circuit

voltage off the 1st and 2nd Panels. Instead, the

3rd and 4th panels will add to the available

current and power up to the safe automatic

limit set by the pump.

7. Connecting, stopping and starting the pump

WARNING! ISOLATE OR COVER PV PANELS WHEN CONNECTING

THE PUMP. ENSURE ALL MECHANCIAL AND ELECTRICAL

CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN FITTED SECURELY BEFORE

UNCOVERING PANELS OR SWITCHING ON POWER SUPPLY.

The control button and status LEDs can

be found on the motor controller box as

shown.

Once a power connection is made, the SolarPlex

SPX-800-5 will automatically start in its default

MPPT mode, operating at the maximum power

available from the connected PV array or power

supply up to a maximum rated power of 800W. To

stop and start the pump, short-press the control

button indicated (for a maximum of 2 seconds). For

further information on alternative operating modes

and LED display information, please see section 10.

(1stVoc+2ndVoc)<100V

Voc

Page 6 6th March 2023

8. Level switches and data communications

The SPX-800-5 is fitted with a standard 5-pin Female M12 connector which

allows for optional connection to up to two level switches using a mating 4 Pin

M12 connector cable which is available separately from Impact Pumps for those

customers wishing to install level sensing. If left disconnected (open circuit), the

SPX-800-5 will default to running in 800W Maximum Power output mode unless

stopped with the control button (see section 9). The dust cap provided should be

used to prevent short circuits if level sensing and data readout are not required..

Pins 1 to 4 are for level sensing, the 5th pin on the M12 connector provides a serial

data readout, this can be accessed using the SPX Data Logger.

Example level switch connections and LED status display when using the optional

add-on M12 connector cable

Tank full level sensor

If the brown wire (pin 1) of the M12 connector cable is connected

to the blue wire (pin 3) by a Normally Open (NO) level switch or

otherwise, the pump will stop and the LED will show

constant red. This channel may be used (for example), to stop the

pump if it is delivering to a full tank.

Tank or well low level sensor

If the white wire (pin 2) of the M12 connector cable is connected

to the black wire (pin 4) by a Normally Open (NO) level switch or

otherwise, the pump will stop and the LED will

flash red. This channel may be used to stop the pump if it is

drawing water from a tank or well if the level descends too low.

M12 pinout is shown in the diagram to the right

Connections

1. Brown – pump stops when switch connects Brown to COM (Common Ground)

2. White – pump stops when switch connects White to COM (Common Ground)

3. Blue – COM (Common Ground)

4. Black – COM (Common Ground)

5. Grey – Serial RX - contact Impact Pumps for information

Page 7 6th March 2023

9. Control button actions

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 may be stopped, started or operated in “power limited

modes” using the control button on the integrated MPPT/motor control box.

1 short-press (for a maximum of 2 seconds) will stop

the pump. The LED will change from

constant blue to constant amber .

When stopped, 1 short-press (for a maximum of 2

seconds) will start the pump. The pump will start in

its default 800W Maximum Power mode unless a

power limited mode has previously been selected

and saved to memory. In this mode, the

LED will show constant blue.

Power limited modes

In some applications3, it may be useful to limit the power of the SolarPlex SPX-800-

5. For example, if a large solar array is used to benefit from good performance at

the ends of the day or in cloud and;

•your water source is routinely running dry and/or unable to yield the daily

volumes that the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 can pump in the middle day;

•the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is delivering to a system that may be damaged by

its high (75m) maximum output head at 800W input power;

•the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is delivering to a system that may be damaged by

its high (4.5 m3/h) maximum output flow rate at 800W input power;

•you don’t need the high daily volumes that the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 can

deliver and wish to prioritise maximising the service life of your system;

you may consider limiting its power output4to a lower maximum level than 800W.

3When operating in combination with Impact Pumps’ SLX-40-S, the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 should be

operated in 600W maximum power mode or lower to avoid unnecessary safety valve actuations.

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 can be operated at any power level in combination with the SLX-40-HF.

4Note that the SolarPlex will automatically switch into MPPT mode and continue to extract the

maximum power available from your PV solar array or DC power source when that maximum drops

below its set power limit in power limited modes.

Page 8 6th March 2023

Default 800W maximum power mode

In the default setting, the LED shows constant blue,

to indicate that the pump is running at full power.

100W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds to

enter 100W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show one green flash.

200W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 200W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show two green flashes.

300W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 300W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show three green flashes.

400W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 400W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show four green flashes.

500W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 500W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show five green flashes.

>4s

Page 9 6th March 2023

600W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 600W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show six green flashes.

700W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once for at least 4 seconds

again to enter 700W power limited mode. In this mode, the

LED will intermittently show seven green flashes.

Return to default 800W maximum power mode

Push and hold the control button once more for at least 4

seconds to return to default 800W maximum power mode. In this

mode, the LED will once again show constant blue.

Tip: If you wish to remove a reduced power limit from the pump, you can just hold

the button down until the LED turns from green to blue, i.e. you do not have to

release the button to move between power limits.

WARNING: POWER LIMITED MODES ARE ONLY SAVED TO MEMORY

AFTER 4 MINUTES OF OPERATION. IF POWERED DOWN SOONER, THE

PUMP WILL RESTART IN DEFAULT 800W MAXIMUM POWER MODE OR

THE PREVIOUSLY SAVED MODE IF THERE WAS ONE.

>4s

Page 10 6th March 2023

10. Pump reset and protection features

The SolarPlex comes with an innovative controller board with reset and protection

features. The board will respond to various circumstances that could be dangerous

or cause damage. LED signal lamps denote different pump protection modes.

If the pump stops but NO ERROR CODE IS DISPLAYED BY THE LEDS, this indicates

power supply interruption or overspeed due to trapped air or dry-running. If this

occurs, isolate the pump and bleed air or re-prime it through the priming port (see

section 5). Check all electrical connections before attempting to re-start.

Coded error warnings

Most error states are accompanied by a warning indicated by the LEDs on the motor

controller box. Please consult the table below to diagnose your problem before

attempting to solve it yourself or contact your dealer.

Overheat warnings!

The SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is actively fan cooled and will turn itself off to prevent

damage if the power electronics temperature exceeds 70°C or the internal motor

windings exceed 100°C. These high temperatures will only occur if the pump is

left in direct sunlight, without shading, in a hot climate and while running at high

power. We strongly recommend that the SolarPlex SPX-800-5 is shaded from full

sunlight, wherever possible, in operation.

Pump TOO HOT The LED will fast-flash red, on and off

for equal durations, two times every second. The pump will

attempt to auto-restart after 60s. This may occur if the pump is

operated for long periods in direct sunlight, without shading, in a

hot climate and while running at high power. Consider providing

shading or moving pump to a cooler location or selecting a power

limited mode (see section 9). If the problem persists, disconnect power, wait several

minutes and reconnect.

Pump TOO COLD The LED will slow-flash red, on and

off for equal durations, two times every four seconds. The pump

will attempt to auto-restart after 60s. This will only occur in

extreme cold weather in which there is a danger of ice formation

in the pump head. If the problem persists, disconnect power, wait

several minutes and reconnect.

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