One of the most common questions we get asked is: “Can I add batteries to my solar pump?”

The answer is: yes, you can — but only on certain Tuhorse models. And the bigger question is: do you really need them?

1. Which pumps support batteries?

Only our battery-added range has this option. These models all use our 36–48 V control board:

- 2S370 (2 Inch 370 W)
- 3S210 (3 Inch 210 W)
- 3S500 (3 Inch 500 W)
- 4S500 (4 Inch 500 W)

These pumps can be connected to a 48 V battery bank alongside your solar panels.

2. How it works

- Daylight: the pump always runs on solar first.
- Surplus sun: extra panel power is used to top up the battery bank.
- Evening/cloud: the controller can switch to batteries once solar falls short.

3. What batteries can (and can’t) do

✅ Can: give you a few extra pumping hours after sunset or during heavy cloud, if the batteries are fully charged.
✅ Can: provide peace of mind for critical water supplies.
✅ Can: help farmers with low-yielding bores by spreading pumping across more hours without over-pumping the bore.
❌ Can’t: make the pump start earlier in the morning.
❌ Can’t: match the full performance of solar panels. Pumping from batteries is always less efficient and shorter lived.

4. The trade-offs

- Efficiency loss: charging/discharging costs ~10–15% of your solar power.
- Added cost: batteries, cabling, and enclosures can significantly increase system price.
- Replacement: unlike panels, batteries wear out and must be replaced eventually.

5. Our rule of thumb

- If you can pump into a storage tank or header tank, you don’t need batteries. The tank is your battery.
- If your supply is mission-critical or you have a low-yielding bore where you need to make the most of every hour of pumping, batteries can be worthwhile — but only with the models above.
- Always oversize the solar array when using batteries, so you have enough power to run the pump and recharge the bank.

6. Example – 3S500 with batteries added

- Solar-only: 800 W array (≈1.6× motor size). Runs strong during the day, tapers at dusk.
- Battery-added: same 800 W array + 48 V battery bank. Pump runs off solar during the day. If the batteries are charged, you might get an extra 2–3 hours into the evening. Perfect for low-yield bores where you want to pump steadily over a longer day rather than hard for a short burst.

Final Word

So, can you add batteries to your Tuhorse solar pump?

Yes, you can — but only on our 2S370 (2”), 3S210 (3”), 3S500 (3”), and 4S500 (4”) models.

Just remember: batteries don’t replace solar. They don’t start the pump earlier, and they only keep you going for a few extra hours if they’re fully charged. For most farmers, a storage tank does the job far better. But if you’re dealing with a low-yield bore or need guaranteed supply, batteries can be a smart addition.

👉 Still not sure if batteries are right for your bore?
Talk to the Tuhorse team. We’ll look at your bore capacity, water demand, and setup to recommend whether a battery-added system makes sense — or if you’re better off keeping it simple with solar and a tank.