12V/24V versus 110V/220V pumps

On the internet I see different water pumps.
Some are 12V / 24V and others are 110V / 220V.
If you use such a pump in your house, it seems to me that a pump 110V / 220V would be easier.
But what is the reason that a 12V / 24V could be better?
Are they more reliable?
Do they have a higher capacity or head at the same wattage?

Most of them are made for connection to solar panels, in RVs on the 12v battery, or a boat. Just smaller applications. And I don't know if a 12v pump could ever be stronger than a 110v.

I use an external 12v pump in my recirculating ebb and flow beds. The pump is 1585GPH and has 10 speed settings which really allows me to dial in the flow rate.

To answer your question... The Hydrofarm Active Aqua Pump takes 25w to move 400GPH, while my pump takes 42w to move 1585GPH. At half power my pump is moving nearly double the water (792.5GPH) while using less than 20w (measured using the Killawatt @ the wall). So that's double the water movement for less power -- the 12v pumps are just much more efficient.

Airwalker16 said:

Most of them are made for connection to solar panels, in RVs on the 12v battery, or a boat. Just smaller applications. And I don't know if a 12v pump could ever be stronger than a 110v.

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The majority of boats up till 50 or 60' run their water systems on 12 or 24v. Thats showers, toilets, washdowns, etc. They do draw alot of amps though and require pretty stout wiring especially if its a long run.
If i ever switched to hydro i would use dc pumps powered by a couple batterys hooked to a charger. Would be a good failsafe in case of a power outage.

Interesting!
I know so little about electricity.

SuperiorBuds said:

To answer your question... The Hydrofarm Active Aqua Pump takes 25w to move 400GPH, while my pump takes 42w to move 1585GPH. At half power my pump is moving nearly double the water (792.5GPH) while using less than 20w (measured using the Killawatt @ the wall). So that's double the water movement for less power -- the 12v pumps are just much more efficient.

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Are there also differences in head?
I mean does a pump on 12V get the water higher? (or lower)

Keesje said:

I mean does a pump on 12V get the water higher? (or lower)

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No. Wattage does. Voltage is just voltage.
Pump technology is the same either way

Keesje said:

Are there also differences in head?
I mean does a pump on 12V get the water higher? (or lower)

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My pump (Jebao DCT-6000) is 12.5' max head. Here's what the Active Aqua stats show:



Looks like it does offer a higher head height, as well. (More pressure.) Also my pump is a ceramic shaft, which is only available on the 1000GPH model of the Active Aqua. That shaft makes the pump suitable for salt-water applications, so most of the pumps people are using submerged in nutrients are not rated for it.

Boatguy said:

No. Wattage does. Voltage is just voltage.
Pump technology is the same either way

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So, if did understand correct (and pleas have patience with me)
- A 20 Watt pump on 12 Volts gets the water to the same height as a 20 Watt pump on 110 Volts
- A 20 Watt pump on 12 Volts moves more gallons of water per hour as a 20 Watt pump on 110 Volts

Keesje said:

So, if did understand correct (and pleas have patience with me)
- A 20 Watt pump on 12 Volts gets the water to the same height as a 20 Watt pump on 110 Volts

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All other things being equal, yes. Like both same type, duty cycle, etc.

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to comment that many 12v pumps (rv type) are "demand" pumps with a high pressure shut-off switch. This would complicate their use in hydroponics. So if you go with a DC pump...make sure it's not a demand pump.
JD

Boatguy said:

All other things being equal, yes. Like both same type, duty cycle, etc.

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Asking because I don't know. Both of these are mag-drive pumps but there are vast differences in the output and head height at the same wattage, the only difference being input voltage. What explains that? My understanding when I researched this pump was that 12v was much more efficient while still being cost effective.

SuperiorBuds said:

My understanding when I researched this pump was that 12v was much more efficient while still being cost effective.

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Not sure i understand what you are asking. The 12v pump is no more efficient if it is also 20w

Boatguy said:

Not sure i understand what you are asking. The 12v pump is no more efficient if it is also 20w

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ActiveAqua @ 20w is moving 400GPH w/ a max of 8' head height.
DCT6000 @ 20w is moving 800GPH w/ a max of 10' head height.

If I drop my pump down to 400GPH I'm pulling closer to 10w.

SuperiorBuds said:

If I drop my pump down to 400GPH I'm pulling closer to 10w.

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And what is the max head hight then?

SuperiorBuds said:

ActiveAqua @ 20w is moving 400GPH w/ a max of 8' head height.
DCT6000 @ 20w is moving 800GPH w/ a max of 10' head height.

If I drop my pump down to 400GPH I'm pulling closer to 10w.

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I dont know anything about that company or product. Mag pumps arent a common item in my industry, centrifugal, diaphragm, and impeller is all i am familiar with.
If i was to guess, maybe mag pumps are more efficient at higher amperage's.

SuperiorBuds said:

ActiveAqua @ 20w is moving 400GPH w/ a max of 8' head height.
DCT6000 @ 20w is moving 800GPH w/ a max of 10' head height.

If I drop my pump down to 400GPH I'm pulling closer to 10w.

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Ones just obviously got a bigger impeller, bigger chamber, and bigger In/OutPuts?