Solar Powered Pond pump?

dave midi · #1 (**permalink**) 23-05-2010, 08:33 PM

I've searched the internet, read various forums and still haven't come up with a suitable answer.

My question is: Has anyone successfully installed a solar powered pump for their pond, and if so, could you please share the details with me?

All I want is to circulate water through a hose which goes to the top of my rocks and trickles down.
The rise is approx 2'.
I don't intend keeping fish. I just want the water to move.

I understand that you need to know what amps the pump will draw, how long it will run for.
I'm thinking of using a car battery which could be charged through a regulator by a solar panel. This should run the pump. I'd install a switch so it could be turned on & off at my leisure, hence the regulator for the battery.

Am I asking the impossible because I'm struggling to find anyone else who's done this with success?

Hobjob · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2010, 07:58 AM

On an old camper I hd a 2x.75 metre solar panel (OK oldish one - they are more efficient nowdays) but it struggled to produce half an amp even on the sunniest of days midday.

I suspect the demands are too great which is why no one is marketing it.

artdemole · #3 (**permalink**) 24-05-2010, 08:49 AM

Have you tried watergarden.co.uk Oase solar program.Price is £105.75 and£136.30

HedgehogRescue · #4 (**permalink**) 24-05-2010, 03:08 PM

I have one I bought on Ebay. It came in from Hong Kong where they seem to do more powerful versions than you can get over here.

The panel sits on a post you can move around and it's amazingly effective but I was only pumping uphill about 18 inches. The downside is when it gets heavily overcast it stops but at night you don't have to remember to turn it off.

Mine came with a low power pump to suit the panel but you may be able to find a high power output to run a normal pump.