Post #3893066
2026-07-17 18:47 UTC
Okay #DIY and #solar folks. I have a hairbrained idea to re-purpose an old dishwasher circulation pump for a #garden pump to pair with my rainwater catchment system. But I'm a novice when it comes to #electricity and calculating loads. How would I even go about powering the pump once it's removed, and testing it to see how much power it draws so I know what kind of solar panel and battery I'd even need? #solarpunk #gardening #reuse
Replies (1)
-
@tehfishman@ioc.exchange 2026-07-17 19:16
@pmbrandvold@techtoots.com because it's an appliance, it probably needs 120 volts to run, so this is actually "dangerous if you're a careless idiot" territory. But to assess what you'll need, a simple kill-a-watt power meter is a good place to start. Wire up a plug to the pump, make sure it's plumbed up so it has water to circulate (could just stay in the dishwasher with water for testing), and let it rip. Check for how many amps and watts it pulls. You'll need a battery and a 120 volt inverter that can support that much power draw for as long as you'll need to run it, and a solar panel and charge controller to charge that battery