| Solar Powered Garden Fountain: Installing the Fountain Pumps |
From "Solar Solutions"
episode SLR-104 |
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After installing the solar panel, it's time to install and power up the submersible garden pumps and finish the project. Materials: Solar panel
2 Plastic pond liners (150-gallon and 50-gallon sizes)
2 Bilge pumps (13.6 volt 1.5 amp)
2 Submersible filter boxes
Ornamental fountain head
10 ft. 1" thick clear tubing
50 ft. 12-gauge electric cable
Wire nuts, connectors, various nuts, screws, bolts and washers
Saw
Plywood (to support panel on the mounting post)
Inexpensive mounting post (if solar panel must be elevated)
Socket wrench
Screwdrivers
Drill
Double-ended crimp connectors
Exterior electrical silicon
Landscape materials (rocks, plants, etc.)
- If you haven't already done so, dig holes for the ponds and position the plastic pond liners. Add water to the ponds.
- Next, assemble the pumps in the submersible filter box as directed by the manufacturer.
- Lower the pump into the water (figure A), then test the pump by touching pump wires to those from solar power (figure B).
Remember: Touching the wires in this manner should only be done when working with very-low voltage. High-voltage electrical work must be tested in a different manner. Above all, be safe. - Add the second pump to the first pond, then run clear tubing from the pump to the second pond to create a waterfall into the first (or lower) pond.
- Connect all positive wires from the pump together with the positive solar panel wires and use a double-ended crimp connector to join securely. Connect the black negative wires together with the black wires from the solar panel and secure in the same manner.
- Add a bit of silicon to help protect and seal the connections.
- Dig a small trench to cover the cable, and cover with additional landscaping materials (such as rock) as desired (figure C).
- Add landscaping material and plants around and in the pond.
RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar
Solar Panels and Hardware (BP)
Model: SX-110
BP Solar (Solar Panels and Hardware)
Website: www.bpsolar.com
Solar Power System Consulting and Installation (Chesapeake Wind & Solar)
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
Garden Pond Bilge Pumps
Model: Attwood V-series, #V-500
13.6 volt, 1.5 amp bilge pumps
Attwood Marine
Website: www.attwoodmarine.com
Submersible filter box kit, bubblehead and plastic tubing
Model: Little Giant FMS-20 submersible filter box kit
Little Giant Pump Company
Website: www.littlegiant.com
GUESTS :
Jeff Gilbert
Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder
Chesapeake Wind & Solar LLC
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
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