Solar Powered Pond Aerator

[plowjockey]

Been looking for a method to bubble aerate a 1/4 acre farm pond either wind or solar.

Thinking this solar setup might work, but though I'd run it by here.

could the solar panel, just be wired directly to the pump, giving it the juice to run when there is sun? Would other circuitry be needed?

Any other design considerations welcome.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-70L-M...item3a8a1587ba

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt...8751-8527.html

[fishhead]

Unless you spend a lot of money on solar collectors I doubt it would provide enough electricity to run a compressor.

How far away is the pond from your electricity? How large is the pond?

[wy_white_wolf]

I'm not sure that the pump can run solar direct. Having a PM motor it should be able too but I've seen a few that couldn't. They need to to be able to run under a wide voltage range. 10V to 20V should be the minimum running range if you wish to run solar direct.

If so I'd say the HF panels are too small. In sizing for solar direct you need to look at the IMP (current maximum power) of the panel and the amperage requirement of the pump. The IMP needs to be at least 25% higher then the pumps requirement to work. The higher the more hours per day it would be capable of running. My guess is that the pump requires about 2.9 amps (35 watts/12 volts) and the panels only put out 2.5 amps (45/18). You need to look for one in the 75W range to make it work.

One can get a linear current booster (LCB) that helps control the pump. It will allow the pump to operate a little longer each day and extend the pumps life. They usually are a good idea but one would cost more then the pump does so you could run without it and just expect the lower pump life.

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