Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Cheap Light Feeder

The lights are dual purpose; both for lighting the area and to draw additional bugs. I know it won't feed them enough to make a big difference but I bet they'll like it. As far as the ac/dc 12 volt issue, since I have started down this path this is how the setup is designed so I'll have to continue with the ac power. I'll be drawing a small percentage of available power so hopefully even with the inefficiency I will be ok. One day maybe I can add a small "wacker" to the bottom of the setup. I have nice thick wood to screw into but would need a low wattage ac motor to do the wackin.

Ok here is my set up running about 2 foot off the water And here is the amount of amp draw while it is running, which it would actually be about .9 amps because my amp gauge would'nt zero out so it was starting with a .2 without load so I figure just under 1 amp load. I am not sure what that equates to in wattage right off the top of my head and I cant seem to find my chart here it is from the reflection of the water

1 amp at 120 volts is 120 watts.

watts = amps x volts

I would like to draw less than 100 watts a day so I can recharge with 15-20 watt panels with ease. I'm looking at a linkable 15 watt I could link more to later and they are only $79 on amazon. With this requirement I can use my dad's husky 400 watt inverter w 17amp hour battery and have the system up and running. Later I will swith to the xantrex hd600 watt inverter with 28 amp hour battery for $110 and link one more panel. Then maybe I could put a wacker on a timer for 2 hours and use just the lights for 2 or 3 more.

solar bug wacker

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95500

Thanks for the link cliffbrook. I think I'll try one of those before I attempt to re-invent the wheel. If it works even half way, it's worth the $15.

EDIT: In reading the description carefully, it doesn't sound very powerful.

HF description reads: "Lantern style lamp kills mosquitos and small insects attracting them to the ultra violet light".

I zeroed in on the word "small", which probably means it will not kill larger insects such as junebugs. Incidentally, mosquitoes are not attracted to lights. But at that price, it's still worth a try!

I saw those but now I am looking forward to having a bright light and a dc outlet with the inverter. I may try a couple of those too some day. Let us know how they work!!!