PowerSpout: A web-based company run by real people

You may be looking for a phone number so that you can call up and ask questions about our product. We love talking about renewable energy, but the truth is that while we are sure that you are a serious customer, there are a lot of people who are very excited about generating their own power who aren't ready to purchase a product, and yet still want to talk about it all day! We value our time with our families and friends, so we have done our best to make every answer available on this site, and have even built the "How Much Power" Estimator at the right side of every page so that you can answer just about every question yourself.

As soon as you place a purchase through a dealer, you will be given a direct customer support phone number so that you can get the help you need. Thanks for your understanding.

Any questions about that PowerSpout? Our FAQ Section is where you need to go: you can find answers or ask your own question.

You don't need to build the Hoover Dam in your backyard!

Even a small stream can generate consistent, clean, dam free, renewable electricity at a price per Watt lower than solar or wind. The small (18 inches wide), all-weather PowerSpout is one of the most reliable, cost-effective generators around because we have spent a decade making micro-hydro efficient and affordable. Just let our customers tell you!

See the PowerSpout for yourself

The PowerSpout is the latest in our 10-years old line of ultra-durable pelton spoon micro-hydro generators. We have now added a gallery of images so you can see all components of the PowerSpout, as well as showing it in action.

PowerSpout: A web-based company run by real people

As soon as you place a purchase through a dealer, you will be given a direct customer support phone number so that you can get the help you need. Thanks for your understanding.

Any questions about that PowerSpout? Our FAQ Section is where you need to go: you can find answers or ask your own question.

Question: How does the PowerSpout compare?

We compared the PowerSpout (the latest in a decade-long line of Hydro Generators with hundreds of units currently in use all around the world) with the other permanent-magnet, dual-jet micro hydro generators available on the market today. We assumed an average site, input the same values for every turbine, and we found that PowerSpout produced about the same output as the best of our competitors, but PowerSpout does it at about half the RPM. This is because the PowerSpout’s pelton rotor and the Smart Drive generator are twice the diameter of the competition. Ask any mechanic what that means and they will tell you: PowerSpout will certainly outlast the others. That is just the beginning of the benefits of using a PowerSpout.

Most of our competitors use 6203 bearings (40x17x12mm) front and back. We all know the front bearing will fail first as it ‘sees’ more load. PowerSpout has a larger 6205 (52x25x15mm) front bearing and 6005 (47x25x12) rear bearing, resulting in upto 65% more bearing load capacity.

Answer: PowerSpout is the smart choice.

68% of our parts and packaging are from recycled materials. PowerSpout is manufactured at a facility that is completely powered by renewable means. That means that PowerSpout is the environmentally positive choice, not only for generating clean power, but for being manufactured in a ecologically responsible way. You can now read the full Eco Report, which is an independent study of PowerSpout manufacturing. We understand how we impact on the planet, and how we can do even better in the future. How do our competitors compare?

At the heart of the PowerSpout is a Smart Drive: a direct-drive permanent magnet generator. As the world leader of Smart Drive innovation, with over a decade of experience generating power from these units, we have developed sophisticated simulation software for determining the most efficient configuration for your PowerSpout. PowerSpout achieves a similar performance to the best of its competitors at less than half the RPMs. In addition to the PowerSpout BE we also manufacture the PowerSpout GE, ME and HE versions. We guarantee our PowerSpout and Smart Drive generator for 3 years, but we rarely see them need replacing in that time The bearing assembly is larger than the competition, easily replaced, inexpensive, and available directly from PowerSpout.com.

Attached to the Smart Drive generator, via a 1 inch (25mm) stainless steel shaft, is a durable Pelton Rotor with 20 Pelton spoons. These rotors have been injection molded out of glass-filled nylon. The inexpensive and easily-replaced Pelton spoons are very efficient at harnessing power from water jets. The jets are aimed at the centre of the Pelton spoon, where its unique shape splits the water jet and sends it back the way it came. In this process almost all the energy from the water jet is extracted, converting it into rotational shaft energy that drives the Smart Drive generator.

Our weatherproof casing means that a PowerSpout is a real outdoorsman: it needs no shelter. Rotationally molded out of strong ¼ inch thick (6mm), long lasting UV resistant plastic, this is made to take all weather conditions without letting you down when you need power the most. The color-coded cap makes your PowerSpout BE, GE, ME, or HE stand out from the others in your system.

Twin opposing jets means that the load on the Pelton rotor is distributed evenly, resulting in a pure couple with no shaft side thrust, this helps the bearings last even longer. The pressure gauge makes it easy to see what is really happening in the pipe so that it is easy to set up and you can give us more accurate feedback about the performance of your system. We may be able to diagnose issues with the installation by comparing the pressure, jet sizes and output Watts against our calculations. We can often diagnose a problem with some good data and a photograph of the installation.

Our "How Much Power" calculator factors in 10% pipe and 10% cable losses. Pipe and cable selection can have a dramatic impact on the actual output of a system. Most competitors’s sites assume zero losses, so be careful when making comparisons. Please use the Advanced Calculator to get a better picture of your actual results. It is critical that the pipe length and pipe inner diameter are accurately measured, or your results may vary significantly from calculations of installed results, which can have a dramatic impact on the actual output of a system.

A picture is worth a thousand words. See for yourself in our gallery.

PowerSpout Footprint Report
PowerSpout Footprint Summary
PowerSpout Log Book
Advanced Calculator Manual
Vanuatu Minigrid Case Study

...click here for more

Harris Hydroelectric
New PM Alternator (permanent magnet) Pelton Turbines

Operates efficiently on heads of 10 to 600 feet.
Operates efficiently on flows of 10 to 250 GPM.

The typical American household consumes about 12 thousand watt hours per day (not including electricity to power heating loads), or about 500 watts on average (though this can be reduced to about 300 watts or even less, though careful conservation measures and by eliminating waste). There are times, however, when as much as 10,000 watts are needed, as when a refrigerator or well pump is started. An AC system cannot store energy and must be sized to meet this peak demand, requiring up to 40 times as much water as a similarly useful D.C. system. Smaller size saves money. Micro-hydro systems are matched to the average demand and extracts power the way that nature provides it, slow and steady.

HOW IT WORKS: The Harris system is an efficient, durable battery charging Pelton turbine. It is especially well suited to produce usable power from springs and creeks that are too small to sustain the same level of useful power from a conventional AC generating system. Water is collected upstream from the hydro and piped downstream to where the turbine is located. As a rule the greater the head, (the difference in elevation between the collection point and the turbine is called the head) the better. Because DC power can be stored in batteries, these small systems operate 24 hours a day collecting energy, a little at a time, to be delivered "on demand" from the batteries as the need dictates.

Harris turbines are available with up to four nozzles!

The multiple nozzle arrangement allows much more water to impact the runner resulting in greater output at any head, and more usable power at lower heads. Multi-nozzle systems include a PVC penstock and individual ball valves on each nozzle.

The Pelton type runner is lost wax cast of silicon bronze. The wheel is 70 - 90% efficient, depending on nozzle size and head pressure. The bucket shape allows high efficiency for nozzles and provides a flow range of over 100/1. The wheel has a hydraulic diameter of just over 4.00". Each wheel is individually balanced.

ENERGY SYSTEMS & DESIGN
STREAM ENGINE

Operates efficiently on heads as low as 4 feet.
Operates effectively on 4 to 400 gallons per minute of flow.
User selectable for 12, 24 or 48 volt operation.

HOW IT WORKS: Water is collected upstream from the hydro and piped downstream to where the turbine is located. As a rule the greater the head, the better. (The difference in elevation between the collection point and the turbine is called the head.) These small turbines are especially well suited to produce usable power from springs and creeks that are too small to sustain a conventional AC generating system. Because DC power can be stored in batteries, these small systems operate 24 hours a day collecting energy, a little at a time, to be delivered "on demand" from the batteries as the need dictates.

The typical American household consumes about 12 thousand watt hours per day (not including electricity to power heating loads), or about 500 watts on average (though this can be reduced to about 300 watts or even less, though careful conservation measures and by eliminating waste). There are times, however, when as much as 10,000 watts are needed, as when a refrigerator or well pump is started. An AC system cannot store energy and must be sized to meet this peak demand, requiring up to 40 times as much water as a similarly useful D.C. system. Smaller size saves money. A DC system is matched to the average demand and extracts power the way that nature provides it, slow and steady.

The Stream Engine employs a brush-less, permanent magnet generator driven by a "Turgo" type runner. The Turgo is well suited to low head/high flow sites as compared to a "Pelton" wheel. The standard configuration uses two nozzles which are adjusted on-site to match available water supply. Four nozzle models are available to accommodate flows in excess of 400 gallons per minute. The generator loading is adjusted by raising or lowering the magnetic top plate of the alternator to peak the output. ES&D includes a digital meter to aid in fine tuning your generator for maximum efficiency!

ShurFlo DC / Solar Water Pumps

Shurflo 9300 Series
SHURflo™ 9300 Series Pumps are backed by 25 years of research and engineering experience. Designed to be strong and yet lightweight, these pumps are easily repaired in the field. SHURflo provides a wide-range of parts and kits for ease of rebuilding and repair.

MODEL 9300 Technical Specifications
PUMP DESIGN
       Positive Displacement 3 Chamber Diaphragm Pump
CAM
       3.0 Degree
MOTOR
       Permanent Magnet, PIN 11 126-10. (Thermally Protected)
VOLTAGE
       24 VDC Nominal

AMPS
       4.0 Maximum
INTERNAL BYPASS
       105 110 PSI Maximum
MAXIMUM LIFT
       230 Feet Maximum
MAXIMUM SUBMERSION
       230 Feet Maximum
OUTLET PORT
       l/2" (12.7mm) Barbed Fitting for 1/2" (12.7mm) I.D. Tubing
INLET
       50 Mesh Stainless Steel Screen
MATERIALS
       High Strength Engineered Plastics, Stainless Steel Fasteners
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
       Potable Water Well Pump
NET WEIGHT
       6LBS.

Solar arrays designed to use with the Shurflo 9300 are available.
Call for details Submersible Pump Applications:

Irrigation

Livestock Watering

Remote Homes

Ponds

Islands

SHURFlo 9300 Pump Performance
Lift (Feet)	Current (Amps)	Watts	Flow (GPH) @ 24 VDC
20	1.50	58	117
40	1.70	65	114
60	2.10	78	109
80	2.40	89	106
100	2.60	99	103
120	2.80	104	101
140	3.10	115	99
160	3.30	123	98
180	3.60	135	93
200	3.80	141	91
230	4.10	155	82

Shurflo 2088 Series

The 2088 Series is considered the workhorse of small diaphragm pumps. They are used in a variety of transfer and dispense-on-demand applications where flow to 3.6 gpm is required. One way check valve prevents reverse flow, auto operation with pressure demand switch, self priming up to 12 feet.

The high performance Shurflo 2088 Series represents over twenty successful years of electric pump development, from the patented three chamber pump-head to its heavy duty motor and bearings. Count on the 2088 and the complete line of Shurflo pumps for long life, unmatched reliability and trouble-free performance.

12 volt Premium delivery pump with Heat Sink for heavy duty applications where extra cooling is needed. Rated for continuous duty. 12 volt, 3.6gpm, 45psi. 1/2" MSPT ports.

	2088 Series Technical Specifications :
	Design:	Positive Displacement 3 Chamber Diaphragm Pump
	Motor:	Permanent Magnet (with solid state rectifier on 115V & 230V)
	Duty Cycle:	Available in intermittent and continuous duty
	Dry Run:	Limited Dry Run
	Voltage:	12, 24, Volt DC; 115VAC
	Materials:	Polypropylene, Buna, Santoprene, Viton, Stainless Steel
	Liquid Temperature:	170°F Max. (76.7°C)
	Weight:	3.5 to 7.5lbs (1.6 to 3.4kg)
	Prime:	Self priming up to 12 feet (3.6m)
	Ports:	1/2" MPT Male Threaded
	Note:	Technical specification sheets are available for individual model numbers. Shurflo reserves the right to update specifications, change prices, or make substitutions without notice.

SUNMOTOR INTERNATIONAL Ltd.
Solar-Direct Submersible Pumps

Applications:
Remote water delivery systems where conventional electricity is unavailable or inconvenient. Common uses are livestock watering, stream protection, water catchment systems, pond aeration and landscape waterfalls.

Water Supply:
The M3, M5 & M30 solar pumps will operate in a diverse range of water conditions. The M series submersible pumps were designed specifically to pump from surface water sources such as ponds, dams, canals and streams. The inlet screen prohibits foreign material from clogging the pump and any debris small enough to get through the screen is passed by the centrifugal rotor.

The float is detachable to allow the pump to be installed in a large bore well casing
M series pumps are designed to give a long service life with absolutely no maintenance
The M series pump is field serviceable. The motor brushes and pump components are easily replaced with simple hand tools
Pumping system is expandable as requirements grow, more power(watts) = more water
2 year manufacturer's warranty

MODEL M3:

Operational Characteristics: The M3 submersible pump is designed to operate on any direct current source of sufficient power from 12 to 17 volts. Performance is best when operated solar direct on a 36 cell PV array. Although in emergencies, this pump can be operated from a 12V vehicle battery. A built in over-load feature of the pump design is the magnetic coupling between the motor and pump impeller. This device will also disengage if the impeller is obstructed or the input voltage is too high. This coupling eliminates friction and prevents any possibility of water intrusion into the motor cavity. When this coupling disengages, the motor will continue to spin freely while disconnected from the pump impeller until the problem is corrected. To recouple the magnetic drive, simply remove power from the pump for a few seconds to allow the motor to spin down. No harm is done when the drive decouples.

SUNMOTOR M3 -- Performance Specifications
Head		12V (Battery)			17.0V (PV module)			Cow/Calf Pairs*
Meters	Feet	Amps	L/min	G/min	Amps	L/min	G/min	(20 gal/day)
1	3.3	3.7	22.7	6.0	6.3	31.8	8.4	126
2	6.6	3.4	18.0	4.8	6.0	28.6	7.6	114
3	9.9	3.1	12.7	3.4	5.7	25.4	6.7	100
4	13.2	2.7	6.0	1.6	5.4	22.0	5.8	87
5	16.5	2.3	0	0	5.2	18.3	4.8	72
6	19.8	2.3	0	0	4.9	13.9	3.7	56
7	23.1	2.3	0	0	4.6	9.9	2.6	39
*Cow/calf pair watering is based on five hours average sunlight per day with a 75W PV module

MODEL M5:

Operational Characteristics: The M5 submersible pump is designed to operate on any direct current source of sufficient power from 12 to 17 volts. This pump is intended for use in applications where more water is riguired to be lifted to greater heads than the M3 can handle. Performance is best when operated solar direct on a 36 cell PV array. Although in emergencies, this pump can be operated from a 12V vehicle battery. A built in over-load feature of the pump design is the magnetic coupling between the motor and pump impeller. This device will also disengage if the impeller is obstructed or the input voltage is too high. This coupling eliminates friction and prevents any possibility of water intrusion into the motor cavity. When this coupling disengages, the motor will continue to spin freely while disconnected from the pump impeller until the problem is corrected. To recouple the magnetic drive, simply remove power from the pump for a few seconds to allow the motor to spin down. No harm is done when the drive decouples.

SUNMOTOR M5 -- Performance Specifications
Head		12V (Battery)			17.0V (220W PV array)		Daily Production* USGal
Meters	Feet	Amps	L/min	G/min	L/min	G/min	(5 hrs solar day)
2	6.6	12.8	53.25	14.0	-	-	No Data
3	9.9	12.2	48.2	12.7	49.4	13.1	3,930
4	13.2	11.9	43.1	11.4	-	-	No Data
5	16.5	11.25	37.3	9.8	41.5	11.0	3,300
6	19.8	11.0	31.8	8.4	33.2	8.8	2,640
7	23.1	10.1	23.7	6.3	27.5	7.3	2,190
9	29.7	-	-	-	21.9	5.8	1,740
11	36.3	-	-	-	12.5	3.3	990
*Daily production is based on operating solar direct using a 220W array. The system's capacity can be increased dramatically with the addition of an another PV module.

MODEL M30:

Operational Characteristics: The M30 submersible pump is the largest of the M series pumps. This pump has a 24V motor designed to operate on any direct current source of sufficient power from 24 to 36 volts. Performance is best when operated solar direct. Although in emergencies, this pump can be operated from a 24V vehicle battery. A built in over-load feature of the pump design is the magnetic coupling between the motor and pump impeller. This device will also disengage if the impeller is obstructed or the input voltage is too high. This coupling eliminates friction and prevents any possibility of water intrusion into the motor cavity. When this coupling disengages, the motor will continue to spin freely while disconnected from the pump impeller until the problem is corrected. To recouple the magnetic drive, simply remove power from the pump for a few seconds to allow the motor to spin down. No harm is done when the drive decouples.

SUNMOTOR M30 -- Performance Specifications
Head		24V (Battery)			36.0V (440W PV array)		Daily Production* USGal
Meters	Feet	Amps	L/min	G/min	L/min	G/min	(5 hrs solar day)
2	6.6	9.3	85.8	22.7	108.3	28.7	8,610
3	9.9	9.0	81.3	21.5	105.6	28.0	8,400
4	13.2	8.7	75.5	20.0	101.7	27.0	8,100
5	16.5	8.34	68.7	18.2	98.3	26.1	7,830
6	19.8	7.90	60.8	16.1	93.0	24.7	7,410
7	23.1	7.4	50.1	13.3	87.4	23.2	6,960
8	26.4	6.6	35.4	9.4	81.6	21.6	6,480
9	29.7	5.69	13.0	3.4	73.32	19.6	5,880
10	33.0	-	-	-	66.6	17.7	5,310
11	33.3	-	-	-	68.7	15.6	4,680
12	39.4	-	-	-	48.6	12.9	3,870
13	42.6	-	-	-	36.7	9.7	2,910
14	45.9	-	-	-	21.9	5.8	1,740
*Daily production is based on operating solar direct using a 440W array. The system's capacity can be increased dramatically with the addition of PV modules.