Set up to run battery on small water fountain?

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bramwell

110 posts

Master Geek

# 183752 29-Oct-2015 00:40

Hi there
I'd like to run a small water fountain pump by battery. It will be outside in the weather.
I have the fountain and pump. The water needs to be lifted about 30cm. Is it okay to have the little sealed 12v batteries outside? (I presume 12v would be all I need).
Thanks. :-)

richms

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# 1415853 29-Oct-2015 02:23

Got details of the pump?

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

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# 1415874 29-Oct-2015 07:16

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My first thought is that water is heavy, you may need a bigger battery than you think (guessing), and you have to charge the battery somehow.

pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1416359 29-Oct-2015 19:32

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You may be better off using a 12VDC transformer from a power source inside the house, and run 12V wires out to the fountain.

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geocom

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# 1416389 29-Oct-2015 19:48

We really need to know more about the pump. It should tell you the voltage and current draw. Also how long do you want it to run for?

The sealed batteries are usually ok for use outside. However if you want it to last awhile it would be best to make a small enclosure.

Geoff E

bramwell

110 posts

Master Geek

# 1416787 30-Oct-2015 10:26

Hi all

Thanks for your replies. The pump is an 8W 50Hz.

Unfortunately it's not practical to hook up power from the house as it's such a long distance.

timmmay

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# 1416798 30-Oct-2015 10:37

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8W is around 0.7AH. A 30AH battery ($200 or so) will last you around a day and a half, more if you put it on a timer, probably less if it needs to be converted to 240V. Then you have to lug it around and charge it - those batteries are maybe 10kg.

Do you really need a fountain? Just run a cable under the ground if you do.

geocom

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# 1416801 30-Oct-2015 10:40

bramwell: Hi all

Thanks for your replies. The pump is an 8W 50Hz.

Unfortunately it's not practical to hook up power from the house as it's such a long distance.

If its 50hz then it will be an AC pump so you will need something to convert the DC power to AC and up the voltage from 12v to 230v. So you will need an inverter. Most hardware stores will sell these. However they are not really made to be left out in the wild.

8W at 12v(Remember the transformer is not perfect and you will likely use more power in the conversion) is 668mA so a 12Ah battery will last you about 12 hours.

Geoff E

webwat

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# 1416871 30-Oct-2015 11:28

Needing to invert 12VDC to AC voltage outdoors without an enclosure sounds like trouble. Get a 12V pump and charge the battery on solar?

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richms

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# 1416978 30-Oct-2015 13:21

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8w is a baby pump. Plenty of 12v ones that size online used for the likes of pc water cooling and aquarium pumps.

Get a 12v one and a 12v battery and you're good to go. Forget inverters for ac powered pumps. Expense and inefficacy and needing to waterproof it.

Richard rich.ms

bramwell

110 posts

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# 1417242 30-Oct-2015 18:04

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Thanks so much everyone.

We're thinking now that if we go ahead we'll get one of those solar units that has a battery back-up, all in the kit.

Many thanks again :-)

jeffnz

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# 1417248 30-Oct-2015 18:14

Whatever you get won't like being cycled down passed 50% so it will shorten life regardless of type. Just seems a mission to have to charge a battery. Solar panels are fine if they are able to keep up the charge but it all comes at a cost.

If you are dead set on doing this PM and I can get you a couple of 150ah VRLA batteries for about $50 plus ngst each. They are used but not for long and only as backup so never cycled. They are quite big though

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Aredwood

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# 1417389 30-Oct-2015 22:21

Here you go, Jaycar sell solar powered pond pumps. http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Ecotech/Eco-Consumer-Products/Solar-Products/Solar-Water-Pump-2-4W/p/ZM9202 and http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Ecotech/Eco-Consumer-Products/Solar-Products/Solar-Powered-Water-Pump/p/ZM9200

MadEngineer

1932 posts

Uber Geek

# 1417673 31-Oct-2015 12:42

http://m.banggood.com/7V-Solar-Power-Floating-Brushless-Water-Pump-Garden-Landscape-Submersible-Fountain-p-1002673.html

bramwell

110 posts

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# 1417903 31-Oct-2015 21:44

Great advice everyone. Thanks again :-)

UncleArk

92 posts

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# 1418215 1-Nov-2015 17:39

We have a small ornamental fish pond in our back courtyard and we got a solar powered pump from "The Water Garden" here in Christchurch. Been running faithfully for about 3 years now. Great wee thing.

http://www.thewatergarden.co.nz