Is there such a thing as a solar powered pump?

[Kymberly Fergusson]

Hi all,

(am delurking for a bit ;>)

I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).

We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
option exists?

Thanks heaps,

Kym
--
www.nifwlseirff.net

[Granny Grump]

AltaVista.com says there are.

[Gareee©]

I googled them, but based on the price, I wonder how long they last,and how
long it would take to make the difference back, vs electric pumps?


--
Gareee© (Gareee "at" Charter "dot" net)
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/ellison/86/mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

I think it would cost you a pretty penny if trying to run the current pump,
as you're talking a solar panel plus a converter to make the current pump
run (I assume)?

It is the solar panels that are very pricey, the small pumps 70 gph are
fairly cheap, but I haven't had one last more than one season, so needless
to say I've stored my solar panel away. Plus they only run when the sun is
directly on them like 2 hours before and 2 hours after noon.

If rental property, I'd go with an extension cord. ;o) ~ jan

>On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 18:28:11 +1000, Kymberly Fergusson > wrote:

>
>Hi all,
>
>(am delurking for a bit ;>)
>
>I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
>stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
>pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).
>
>We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
>this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
>option exists?
>
>Thanks heaps,
>
>Kym

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

[Grubber]

"Kymberly Fergusson" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hi all,
>
> (am delurking for a bit ;>)
>
> I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
> stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
> pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).
>
> We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
> this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
> option exists?
>
> Thanks heaps,
>
> Kym
> --
> www.nifwlseirff.net

Yes, but solar pumps really aren't designed for pond usage. If you want to
keep a cistern filled by using solar to run a pump during the daylight hours
and there is no convenient electricity, solar makes sense. If you want 3000
GPH for a waterfall, you would need thousands of dollars worth of solar
panels and a rack of batteries if you want the pump to run at times when
there is no bright sunshine.

Buy an extension cord ;-).

[Go Fig]

In article >, Grubber
> wrote:

> "Kymberly Fergusson" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > (am delurking for a bit ;>)
> >
> > I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
> > stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
> > pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).
> >
> > We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
> > this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
> > option exists?
> >
> > Thanks heaps,
> >
> > Kym
> > --
> > www.nifwlseirff.net
>
> Yes, but solar pumps really aren't designed for pond usage. If you want to
> keep a cistern filled by using solar to run a pump during the daylight hours
> and there is no convenient electricity, solar makes sense. If you want 3000
> GPH for a waterfall, you would need thousands of dollars worth of solar
> panels and a rack of batteries if you want the pump to run at times when
> there is no bright sunshine.
>
> Buy an extension cord ;-).

I have seen wind powered pumps, I'm not sure if they are mechanical or
convert to electricity though.

jay
Sat Aug 14, 2004


>
>

[figaro]

I have a small solar pump (8watts) and a small 13 watt solar panel that I am
very happy with. The pump has a three year warranty. I use it to push
water through a granite rock with a shallow depression which I have drilled
a hole through.

The rock is set on stones on a large pond shelf and the pump pushes the
water up about 1 foot into the depression for an excellent bird bath. The
water then trickles down one side of the rock into the pond. It is
charming, relaxing, and very natural looking. Watching the birds gives me
endless pleasure. No big jet of water coming up--just a gently flow.

I use plants to keep the pond clear and don't need a large pump for filters
or high waterfalls. This is an informal pond meant to be natural looking.
The pump runs from about 7:30 in the morning to about 4 in the afternoon.

I ordered it online but I can't remember the company. I think it is called
an Aquasolar 200. They also have a more powerful 400 model. GPH is not an
issue for me since my pond is relatively small at 700 gallons and there is
really no need to move large volumes of water.

I find it magical every time the pump comes on just from the power of the
sun. Yes, solar is expensive. But the more solar I use, the more I realize
how dependence on our current energy systems in the USA is a dead-end road.
It takes one person at a time to invest in alternative energies before we
can ever become independent of fossile fuels. We all have to do our part
because our government is more interested in putting out fires after they
start rather than preventing the fires with thoughtful investment into
technological advancement. Sometimes you need to look at the big picture;
short term solutions are always easier but seldom ideal.

And when you move to a more permanent location, you can take the pump and
solar panel with you and build your own pond which I guarantee you will want
to do.

-------------------------------------
Hi all,

(am delurking for a bit ;>)

I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).

We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
option exists?

Thanks heaps,

Kym
--
www.nifwlseirff.net

[Grubber]

"figaro" > wrote in message
...
>
> I have a small solar pump (8watts) and a small 13 watt solar panel that I
am
> very happy with. The pump has a three year warranty. I use it to push
> water through a granite rock with a shallow depression which I have
drilled
> a hole through.
>
> The rock is set on stones on a large pond shelf and the pump pushes the
> water up about 1 foot into the depression for an excellent bird bath. The
> water then trickles down one side of the rock into the pond. It is
> charming, relaxing, and very natural looking. Watching the birds gives me
> endless pleasure. No big jet of water coming up--just a gently flow.
>
> I use plants to keep the pond clear and don't need a large pump for
filters
> or high waterfalls. This is an informal pond meant to be natural looking.
> The pump runs from about 7:30 in the morning to about 4 in the afternoon.
>
> I ordered it online but I can't remember the company. I think it is
called
> an Aquasolar 200. They also have a more powerful 400 model. GPH is not
an
> issue for me since my pond is relatively small at 700 gallons and there is
> really no need to move large volumes of water.
>
> I find it magical every time the pump comes on just from the power of the
> sun. Yes, solar is expensive. But the more solar I use, the more I
realize
> how dependence on our current energy systems in the USA is a dead-end
road.
> It takes one person at a time to invest in alternative energies before we
> can ever become independent of fossile fuels. We all have to do our part
> because our government is more interested in putting out fires after they
> start rather than preventing the fires with thoughtful investment into
> technological advancement. Sometimes you need to look at the big picture;
> short term solutions are always easier but seldom ideal.
>
> And when you move to a more permanent location, you can take the pump and
> solar panel with you and build your own pond which I guarantee you will
want
> to do.
>
>


Agree on the big picture aspect of your post. Austin Energy introduced a
ridiculously generous solar rebate program this summer that I have applied
for. I have a site inspector coming this Wednesday, and if approved, I'll
get a rebate of about $14,000 of the $19,000 cost. Even so, this will take
eight to ten years to break even, less if prices keep rising. The panels
are guaranteed for 25 years, and should keep going long after that.

This is a grid-tie system that sends my excess production back out (rolling
the meter backwards) for Austin Energy to sell to others, and I have normal
power at night and on cloudy days.

Without the rebate, it really doesn't make much economic sense for the
individual, but Austin Energy sees peak production from these panels coming
at the same time as peak demand in the form of air conditioning, so they
figure the panels are an alternative to building a 'peak use' power plant.

[BryanB]

At the risk of looking like a spammer I suggest looking over at
www.siliconsolar.com . I've been wanting to buy stuff from them for
quite some time (and recently got a little solar light that, so far, I'm
fairly pleased with).

They have links to Solar Pond Pumps on the right of the screen.
(Dang... Wish I could get a discount for free advertising on the 'net
like this... ;{) )

--Bryan


On 8/14/2004 1:28 AM Kymberly Fergusson let loose a lemur across the
keyboard and it typed:

> Hi all,
>
> (am delurking for a bit ;>)
>
> I have recently moved into a new house which has a very large pond (with a
> stepped rock face on the north side). There is an existing pump in the
> pond, but it is not connected to power (or so the landlord assures us).
>
> We don't really want to get the electrician in to install another pump/fix
> this one as it's only a rental property, and so were wondering if a solar
> option exists?
>
> Thanks heaps,
>
> Kym

--
************************************************** **********
* Can't see the Forest | Bryan B. *
* Through the Trees? | "Ho, Ho, Ho!" Santa *
* Take it out! | accused as he went *
* (Damn Viruses!) | through his list. *
************************************************** **********

[[email protected]]

GASP.... that introduces a lot of bird sh*t into the pond.. and birds carry lots of
fish cooties from pond to pond. I net my veggie filter so birds cannot even take a
drink from the pond and the fish been healthy since. Ingrid

figaro > wrote:
>The rock is set on stones on a large pond shelf and the pump pushes the
>water up about 1 foot into the depression for an excellent bird bath. The
>water then trickles down one side of the rock into the pond.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[figaro]

Actually, the birds don't like to defecate where they drink and bath. There
are some scrub type bushes behind the bath where they perch, dry themselves
off, and anything else they feel they need to do.

I must admit that I have a different take on ponds than a lot of people
here. My goal is primarily a wildlife habitat because I live in the arid
portion of southern California--I like to help out the critters in this
somewhat harsh environment. Secondarily, the serenity of the water, fish,
lilies, dragonflies, reflections, sounds are all absolutely necessary for my
sanity. Finally, I view my pond as a living art project; trying to mimick
nature when I can, combining color, texture, and tone to form an escape
which is hopefully real enough to make myself believe I am in the middle of
nowhere sitting next to a quiet reflective pool without another soul within
miles. ....and then the animals start to visit....and I am in heaven.


> From:
> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 21:16:18 GMT
> Subject: Re: Is there such a thing as a solar powered pump?
>
> GASP.... that introduces a lot of bird sh*t into the pond.. and birds carry
> lots of
> fish cooties from pond to pond. I net my veggie filter so birds cannot even
> take a
> drink from the pond and the fish been healthy since. Ingrid
>
> figaro > wrote:
>> The rock is set on stones on a large pond shelf and the pump pushes the
>> water up about 1 foot into the depression for an excellent bird bath. The
>> water then trickles down one side of the rock into the pond.

[Ka30P]

Sounds like a wonderful spot
in the world, figaro.


kathy :-)
algae primer
http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html

[Grubber]

"figaro" > wrote in message
...
> Actually, the birds don't like to defecate where they drink and bath.
There
> are some scrub type bushes behind the bath where they perch, dry
themselves
> off, and anything else they feel they need to do.
>
> I must admit that I have a different take on ponds than a lot of people
> here. My goal is primarily a wildlife habitat because I live in the arid
> portion of southern California--I like to help out the critters in this
> somewhat harsh environment. Secondarily, the serenity of the water, fish,
> lilies, dragonflies, reflections, sounds are all absolutely necessary for
my
> sanity. Finally, I view my pond as a living art project; trying to mimick
> nature when I can, combining color, texture, and tone to form an escape
> which is hopefully real enough to make myself believe I am in the middle
of
> nowhere sitting next to a quiet reflective pool without another soul
within
> miles. ....and then the animals start to visit....and I am in heaven.
>
>

I originally put in my small pond so there would be a water source to
attract birds and butterflies. I like my fish, but they are on down the
list of things I enjoy about my ponds.

I'm six miles from the state capitol and two major roads are too close to
ever fool myself that I am in the middle of nowhere, but the pond and the
stream and the dragonflies and the birds and the butterflies and the lotus
and the lilies and the roses and the morning glories and the plumbago and
the salvias and the lantana and the pomgranate and the callas and the
moonflowers and the passion flowers and the shade of the old oak tree are
what allow me to keep politics and work and idiots in the proper
perspective.

[[email protected]]

actually... they do defecate in their water. but if you dont care, thats fine.
Ingrid

>"figaro" > wrote in message
...
>> Actually, the birds don't like to defecate where they drink and bath.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[figaro]

> From: "Grubber" >
> Organization: EarthLink Inc. -- http://www.EarthLink.net
> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 02:05:32 GMT
> Subject: Re: Is there such a thing as a solar powered pump?
>
> "figaro" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Actually, the birds don't like to defecate where they drink and bath.
> There
>> are some scrub type bushes behind the bath where they perch, dry
> themselves
>> off, and anything else they feel they need to do.
>>
>> I must admit that I have a different take on ponds than a lot of people
>> here. My goal is primarily a wildlife habitat because I live in the arid
>> portion of southern California--I like to help out the critters in this
>> somewhat harsh environment. Secondarily, the serenity of the water, fish,
>> lilies, dragonflies, reflections, sounds are all absolutely necessary for
> my
>> sanity. Finally, I view my pond as a living art project; trying to mimick
>> nature when I can, combining color, texture, and tone to form an escape
>> which is hopefully real enough to make myself believe I am in the middle
> of
>> nowhere sitting next to a quiet reflective pool without another soul
> within
>> miles. ....and then the animals start to visit....and I am in heaven.
>>
>>
>
> I originally put in my small pond so there would be a water source to
> attract birds and butterflies. I like my fish, but they are on down the
> list of things I enjoy about my ponds.
>
> I'm six miles from the state capitol and two major roads are too close to
> ever fool myself that I am in the middle of nowhere, but the pond and the
> stream and the dragonflies and the birds and the butterflies and the lotus
> and the lilies and the roses and the morning glories and the plumbago and
> the salvias and the lantana and the pomgranate and the callas and the
> moonflowers and the passion flowers and the shade of the old oak tree are
> what allow me to keep politics and work and idiots in the proper
> perspective.
>
>
I have lurked among many newsgroups and end up leaving due to the really
negative tone and outright anger that many people spew in their posts. This
is the only newsgroup I have been on where people are always civil. Ah, the
magic of water.

Ingrid-- After re-reading my post, it sounded a little arrogant to say that
birds don't defecate in their water. I used to raise parrots and I should
know better!!! Maybe the flow of my fountain is washing it away before I
ever see it?

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

>On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 19:09:18 GMT, figaro > wrote:

>I have lurked among many newsgroups and end up leaving due to the really
>negative tone and outright anger that many people spew in their posts. This
>is the only newsgroup I have been on where people are always civil. Ah, the
>magic of water.

Just don't read any of the past OT - Political-type stuff. At those times
we all would be better off soaking our heads in "the magic of" water, than
participating. ;o) ~ jan

>Ingrid-- After re-reading my post, it sounded a little arrogant to say that
>birds don't defecate in their water. I used to raise parrots and I should
>know better!!! Maybe the flow of my fountain is washing it away before I
>ever see it?

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

[[email protected]]

yes, it is washed away. I have a nice little birdbath right outside the door and it
is coated with "doo" around the edges which I wash off. yeah, I got finches and they
crap in their bathing water AND the seed tray. yech. Ingrid

figaro > wrote:
> I used to raise parrots and I should
>know better!!! Maybe the flow of my fountain is washing it away before I
>ever see it?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.