The Simple Pump Solar Kit is discontinued. As of March 31, 2026, the LBLD motor and the Simple Pump Solar Kit are no longer sold for new orders. If you already own one, you keep parts, service, and warranty support through 2036. For a new solar setup, the current product is the Inline Manual-Solar Well Pump System, which pairs a WORKHORSE Narrow Series solar submersible with a Simple Pump hand pump using the Inline Dual-Pump Valve Assembly.
This article explains how the Simple Pump Solar approach compared to dedicated solar pumps. It is kept as a reference for existing owners. The same idea carries into the current Inline Manual-Solar system: solar pumping for everyday use, with a hand pump that always works as backup.
The hybrid idea
A dedicated solar pump gives you water only when it has power. The Simple Pump approach paired a motorized pump head with a hand pump, so a manual option was always there:
- Hand operation is primary and needs no power.
- Solar adds automation, not dependency.
- You can pump by hand any time, including at night or on cloudy days.
That is the difference from a solar-only system. Solar is a convenience on top of a pump that works without it.
Simple Pump vs. a dedicated solar pump
When the power or sun is gone
| Situation | Simple Pump approach | Dedicated solar pump |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy days | Hand pump works | Reduced or no output |
| Night | Hand pump works | Battery required |
| Solar failure | Hand pump works | No water |
| Motor failure | Hand pump works | No water |
Depth
| System | Maximum depth |
|---|---|
| Simple Pump (hand) | 325 ft static water level |
| Simple Pump (motor, legacy) | 225 ft TDH |
| Typical DC submersible | Varies, often less |
Maintenance
| Aspect | Simple Pump | DC submersible |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Surface accessible | In the well |
| Motor service | Easy access | Pull from the well |
| Seal replacement | Often DIY | Often professional |
What the Simple Pump approach gave you
- A real backup. When solar was not available, you pumped by hand. That covered night, cloudy days, and equipment failure.
- A surface-mounted motor. No pulling the pump from the well to service it.
- A modular system. You could start with a hand pump and add a motor or solar later.
- A simple mechanical design with few electronic parts.
- Warranty. The Simple Pump hand pump carries a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. The legacy motor carried an 18-month warranty.
When a dedicated solar pump made more sense
- Very high daily volume. If you needed thousands of gallons a day, a dedicated solar pump could move more water, but without a hand backup.
- Fully automated only. If you never wanted to pump by hand, a dedicated system could fit. The Simple Pump motor automated everyday pumping too, and it kept the hand option.
What to do now
The Simple Pump Solar Kit described here is discontinued. For a new solar setup, the current product is the Inline Manual-Solar Well Pump System. It keeps the same idea: solar for daily use, a hand pump for backup, built to last.
Questions about your existing kit or a new system? Call (877) 492-8711 ext. 6 or request a quote.