That kind of model includes a rechargeable battery pack, which is charged by energy collected by the solar panel during the day. Connect the flexible tubing, which you removed from the AC pump, to the solar-powered pump's outflow hole. When the solar panel is in a sunny location and collects enough of the sun's energy, the pump will begin to operate. The round, flexible tubing should slide securely into the outflow hole. See our, Your pump quit working? Set the solar pump inside the fountain's basin, then pass the power cord out through the hole in the bottom of the basin. Even with battery backup, a solar-powered fountain pump may stop operating from time to time, depending on the duration of cloud coverage or diminishing intensity of sunlight during winter months. The wire's other end terminates in a two-prong connector, which fits into a two-prong receptacle located on the dull-finished underside of the solar panel. Connect the wiring from the solar-powered pump kit to the solar panel according to the kit's directions. Installation goes quickly, but the concrete fountain parts are heavy. Pump models vary in size and power, but all operate by the same principle: Energy from sunlight is collected by the solar panel and transferred to the submersible pump through a length of wire. The solar-powered pump's initial expense pays off because the garden fountain no longer draws electricity; that factor reduces your electric bill. I live in Southeast Michigan, hardly a sun paradise, and the fountain still operates well. Fasten the solar panel to the stake, making sure it faces south. Minuses: it works at half-speed if the weather is really cloudy. If your garden fountain feature includes aquatic animals or vegetation needing constant water circulation, then a solar-powered fountain pump may not be the best choice. Then, slide the cap completely over the basin. SolarPondPumps.org is an independent website. Ensure the solar-powered pump is level and that its round, outflow hole is on the pump's topmost side. When the pump operates, it draws water through its side openings and forces the water upward through the outflow hole. All trademarks, logos and brand names on this website are the sole property of their respective companies and are not owned by SolarPondPumps.org. Rake the dust smooth and level. Remember if there is no battery backup: no sun = no run. The length of the included wire may be 12 feet or longer; so you have flexibility as to where to place the solar panel even if your garden fountain is in shade. In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to harness the sun's energy to power a backyard water feature. Dig a shallow trench from the pump to the solar panel, then bury the pump's power cord. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Unplug the existing alternating-current (AC) pump from its electrical outlet. To figure out what sort of pump could fit the bill, you need to decide on: vertical lift, rate of flow, and pressure. Disconnect the AC pump's flexible tubing, and remove the pump from the water. He was a presenter at the 2012 Youth Garden Symposium in Washington DC, and is a contributor to a national publication for botanical garden professionals. The pump still functions while the battery pack recharges. Pluses: no extension cords through the yard or over the deck, no plugging or unplugging cords since it turns on/off with the sunlight. The kit typically includes a submersible, solar-powered pump, a solar panel and a length of wire with one end fused to the pump. But plunge pools fill the middle ground, give a splash of fun, and offer relaxation in smaller yards. How to Power Appliances With Solar Panels, The 3 areas of your house you should be deep cleaning but maybe aren't, How to Build a Fountain That Spills Water Over the Edge, How to Replace a Pump in a Whirlpool Front Loader, Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius; Gavin Harper, Feng Shui that Makes Sense: Easy Ways to Create a Home that Feels as Good as it Looks; Cathleen McCandless, Small-Space Container Gardens: Transform Your Balcony, Porch, or Patio with Fruits, Flowers, Foliage and Herbs; Fern Richardson. Have a helper reach inside the basin and feed the pump's hose through the hole in the cap. Guide to Selecting The Right Solar Pond Pump, Not sure which solar pump is the best one for your needs? Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Add another 2 or 3 inches of crushed stone and compact it again. It is true, though, that if the sun is blocked in any way the power diminishes. Wading in the water in a backyard meant having a massive swimming pool or settling for a scant hot tub. There are trade-offs to going solar but overall we are pleased. The biggest issue to pump longevity is making sure the water coming in is free of grit as grit is hell on the diaphragms, The Shurflo 9300 is very popular around here with ranchers. If your birdbath is porous, the suction cups on submersible solar pumps dont always stick. Read the directions included in the solar-powered pump kit, and familiarize yourself with the kit's parts. Spread stone dust over the crushed-stone bed. It's pretty much the default pump for cattle tanks now that solar has replaced aeromotors. Replace water wigglers in birdbaths (which tend to get funky and rusty) with a mini solar fountain pump. If you want a solar-powered pump to function on cloudy days or into the night, consider a model marked as a "night and day" solar pump. We review many of the well-known brands like. Tour This Renovated 220-Year-Old Farmhouse, With a wraparound porch and oversize windows that frame the views, an updated rear addition embraces its pastoral settingand readies a well-loved, almost 220-year-old farmhouse for another century of family life, A Suburban Lot Turns into Magical Garden Rooms, How to Install a Water-Saving Drip-Irrigation System, Backyard Renovation: From Dirt Patch to Perennial Paradise. Fill the basin with water and plug the pump's power cord into the solar panel. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to harness the sun's energy to power a backyard water feature. Rake the stone smooth, then compact it with a hand tamper. Make this connection by sliding the two-prong connector of the wire into the two-prong receptacle of the solar panel. Repeat until the hole is full and the stone is level with the surrounding grade. Wrap putty around the plug, then force the plug into the hole in the basin, creating a waterproof seal around the power cord. Submerge the solar-powered pump into the fountain's water, and set it on a flat surface, such as a submerged, flat rock or the bottom of the water feature. By submitting your email, you agree to our. Spread 2 to 3 inches of crushed stone into the hole. Dig a 6- to 8-inch-deep rectangular hole at the location of the fountain. Devices that plug directly into an electrical outlet are commonly referred to as AC devices in reference to the type of electrical current they use. Set the fountain's basin on top of the fountain base. Sit the fountain's cap on the edge of the basin. If a solar panel is submerged in water, the clarity of the water and mineral deposits that accumulate on the panel over time will negatively affect the power output. On windy days, check the water level in small bowls or fountains since the wind will displace water as it shoots out of the fountain. Do not position the solar panel in a shaded area because that arrangement will not allow the solar-powered pump to function. Tap the fountain with a rubber mallet until it's level in both directions. A fully charged battery pack provides energy to the pump when sunlight energy is absent. Use a piece of bathroom tile instead. Read through our list of, Interested in independent assessments of various pump manufacturers? When buying online, calculate shipping costs (which can vary widely) as part of the price of the solar pump. Set the base of the fountain onto the bed and check it for level. Jackson holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications management. The flow of water should begin within a few seconds. All rights reserved. Sitemap. J. Eric Jackson is a writer and educator for a botanical garden and has more than 10 years of experience in writing and youth and adult education. Remove the stake from the solar panel and push it into the ground approximately 2 feet away from the fountain. Using a solar-powered pump gives you the flexibility to operate your garden fountain just about anywhere on your property, freeing you from using a pump that is tethered to an electrical outlet. Position the solar panel on a level surface that receives steady sunlight for at least six hours each day. Plus, swapping an electrically powered pump for a solar-powered pump enables you to transform your garden fountain into an environmentally friendly, or a "green," water feature. One end of the included wire is already permanently fused to the solar-powered pump and sealed to be watertight.
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