Is there such a thing as a solar powered pump?

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

AltaVista.com says there are.

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?


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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!~

"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 ;-).

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

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

"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.

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

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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.


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