Where can i get a small solar panel to power an outdoor water pump?
Question:i have a fountain system that has a small electric pump. its made to be close to a house but i want it across the driveway and i dont want to run electrical over there.
is there a small solar panel that i can get fairly inexpensive to mount on a nearby tree and be able to plug the pump into it?
Answers:
You will need more than a small solar panel to run a pump continuously, unless you don't mind that the pump only comes on during the day while the sun is out.
1st you need to know what the power demands are of the pump in question. Not only do you need to know the rate of the power draw from the pump, but you will also have to calculate how much power the pump will draw from your solar system every day. You will have to factor in that the sun doesn't shine brightly every day, & of course there's also night, so you will need a storage battery, & charging system to go along with your solar panel.
Now most pumps like the one you described are 120vac. Most solar panels, the batteries, & the chargers are 12vdc.
In order to get 120vac you will need an inverter. Once again, you will have to make sure that the inverter you get can handle the demands of the pump.
A solar system that actually works for you takes some carefull planning, & it's not something that you can just hang from a tree.
None of what I just descibed will be inexpensive by my definition, so if it were me, I'd dig a trench across the driveway, & install some direct bury cable on a GFCI circuit out of my main power panel & save a bundle.
More and more I'm seeing Stop signs, alert signs, construction signs, all that run on solar. They make them, but It's possible they're also a bit pricey at this point. But you want the fountain, huh? Here's a few ideas...
http://www.affordable-solar.com/solar.po...
(... or search "portable solar panel")
And probably under a tree isn't a good placement for a solar panel.
Good luck!
Home Depot has several sizes for applications such as yours in the gardening section. Because I am always looking for ways to save money, even in the long run, I was looking at the possibility of solar power for here in SW FL.
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