12 V DC fountain

slurry bowl
slurry bowl Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭✭
in Solar Water Pumping #1
Hello all.

I have a 140 watt panel feeding a morningstar charge controller for a single 12V Sun Xtender battery (420T).

I want to build a fountain for a festival in a small livestock feeding tub and would appreciate any input on quality motors
and what has worked for you.

THANKS so MUCH
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Comments

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    Re: 12 V DC fountain

    Pick an inexpensive pond pump and then match the solar system to drive it...

    Or, assuming you have the solar side, 42 AH 12 volt AGM battery and 140 Watts of panels.

    Guessing you want to pump 12 hours per day, in summer, in a sunny location, 5 hours of sun:
    • 140 Watts * 0.52 AC system derating * 6 hours sun = 437 WH per day
    • 437 WH / 12 hours per day = 36 watt @ 120 VAC load maximum

    If you go with DC pump:
    • 140 Watts * 0.61 DC system eff * 6 hours * 1/12 volts = 43 AH per day
    • 43 AH / 12 hours = 3.6 Amp average load

    For your 42 AH battery, you should plan on draining it by 1/4 (average) or 1/2 (maximum)--Or ~10.5 to 21 AH per night maximum (for longer battery life)

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: 12 V DC fountain

    How high do you want the water to fall and how many gallons per minute? There are some nice small 12V brushless DC pumps available.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

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  • slurry bowl
    slurry bowl Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: 12 V DC fountain

    Ideally Id like the water to fall from 3-6 feet, It can be fairly small GPM.

    I already have solar battery and charge controller in a rolling tool box so solar side of this is covered.
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  • Desert Rat
    Desert Rat Solar Expert Posts: 147 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: 12 V DC fountain

    I have a little fountain that I built using a Rule 12V bilge pump. The Rule pumps are available in several GPM sizes.

    10008627.jpg?is=500,500
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  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: 12 V DC fountain

    You can go on ebay and search for "brushless pump".

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

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