Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions DIY Solar Fountain

Just want to share this in case anyone else wants to make one for their pond.
Anchored in my 1/3 pond. Off grid no power.
Solar only. No battery.
Comes on with the sun, and off when the sun goes down.

I used a 40 watt solar panel and a bilge pump from wally world.
Panel was $50. Pump was $5.00 clearance last winter.

If anyone has any questions or needs help, just ask.

YouTube link for my video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYsOn6tc3b8

you can search: diy solar fountain mike troyer.

Do you use a LCB (linear current booster)? Or are you running straight from the solar panel to the pump. If so, please let us know how long it lasts before failure.

I had a dc to dc converter attached but it wasn't working right, so I'm running it directly off the panel.
With the converter it had to be bright, direct sun to turn the pump on.
The amperage output is less than the pump, so it shouldn't burn it up.
My only concern was damaging the motor because of not enough amps.
It's been running since the ice left and no problems yet.
Put it in the water in April. Running strong for two months so far.

Hey Mike how has the pump held up so far this summer? Thinking of doing something similar.

As of Aug 20th, still going strong.