When the water output from the solar water pump is abnormal, there are several places that can be checked first

When the water output from the solar water pump is abnormal, there are several places that can be checked first

When the solar water pump has abnormal conditions such as small water output, no water output, or intermittent water output, there is no need to rush to seek professional maintenance. In order from simple to complex, from outside to inside, check the following most common problem points first, and you will probably be able to solve the problem yourself.

1. Primary inspection: environmental and energy factors

This is a prerequisite unique to photovoltaic systems and must be eliminated first.

Check if there is enough sunlight: Check if it is a clear day. If it is a cloudy day, rainy day, early morning or evening, insufficient sunlight will cause the system output to be very small or stop completely, which is normal.

Check solar panel obstruction: Check the surface of the solar panel immediately to see if there are any large-area obstructions such as fallen leaves, bird droppings, dust, snow or tree shadows. Even if a small part is blocked, the voltage of the entire set of panels will drop significantly and the water pump cannot be driven normally.

2. Check the water source and water inlet

This is the most common mechanical cause of abnormal water discharge.

Confirm the status of the water source: Check whether the water level in the water source (well, pond, river) is too low, causing the water pump suction pipe mouth to be exposed out of the water, unable to suck water or inhaling air.

Clean the water inlet filter/bottom valve: The water inlet of the water pump is usually equipped with a filter or one-way bottom valve, which is easily blocked by aquatic plants, sediment, and debris. After turning off the power, remove it and clean it thoroughly.

Check the sealing of the water suction pipeline: For surface pumps, check whether the water suction pipeline from the water source to the water pump and all joints are tight and whether there is air leakage. Air leakage will destroy the vacuum and prevent water from being pumped out.

3. Check the water outlet pipe and water pump

Check for pipeline blockage and leakage:

Check whether the water pipeline is flattened and whether the valve is accidentally closed.

Check whether there is any obvious leakage along the pipeline and at the joints.

For water pumps that have been used for a period of time, you can tap the water outlet pipe to determine whether there is scale or foreign matter blocking it.

Preliminarily determine the status of the water pump:

Listen for sounds: Does the water pump make a running sound (buzzing)? If there is no sound, the problem may be with the power supply; if there is sound but no water comes out, the problem may be with the water pump or pipeline.

Touch the vibration: Touch the water pump lightly to feel whether there is normal vibration. If there is no vibration, it may not start.

4. Check the electrical connections and control parts

Check all cable connections: Follow the path from the solar panel to the controller to the water pump and check for loose, dislodged or corroded plugs and terminals. Virtual connections are a common point of failure.

Observe the status of the controller: If the controller has a display screen, check whether there are fault codes (such as undervoltage, overload, dry-running protection, etc.) displayed. This can provide direct diagnostic clues.

Simple test (if possible): Under strong light at noon, use a multimeter to measure whether the open circuit voltage of the solar panel is roughly normal (for example, for an 18V panel, a voltage of about 21V should be measured on a sunny day). If there is extremely low or no voltage, there may be a board or wiring problem.

Troubleshooting priority quick check:

No water comes out at all: first check the sunlight and shade → then check the power connector → listen to whether there is any sound from the water pump.

Small/powerless water output: first check the water source level and filter → then check whether the pipeline is clogged / leaking → finally check the cleanliness of the board.

Intermittent water discharge: first check whether the water source is sufficient (whether it is evacuated) → then check whether the electrical connector is connected → observe whether there are frequent clouds blocking it.

Safety Warnings and Final Advice

Safety first: Before conducting any inspection, be sure to disconnect the electrical connection (you can completely cover the solar panel with a thick cloth first) to prevent DC electric shock.

Seek timely help: If the problem persists after completing all the above basic checks (confirming sufficient sunlight, clean panel surface, sufficient water source, open pipes, and tight joints), it may be an internal failure of the water pump, damage to the controller, or failure of the solar panel. In this case, you should contact a professional.

Summary: From outside to inside, easy first and then difficult

Please follow the order of "look at the sky first, then look at the board, then check the water pipes and power supply". Most problems stem from external conditions (light, occlusion) and simple physical blockages (filters, pipes). By completing these priority checks calmly and in an orderly manner, you can troubleshoot most common failures yourself and get your system back to life quickly.