Beginner planning solar pond aeration

[45North]

Those are usually 120V AC pumps. If you were closer, I'd set you up with an amazing no battery system for next to nothing. I've been wanting to do one of those daylight systems, but I have no pond. My neighbor has one of those pumps for his septic system he no longer uses. Think I might try a batteryless this summer that only costs $25. Really, never use battery voltage panels.

For this non-critical daytime only aerator seems like the perfect application for a bare bones, no battery, DC pump.

 

[Warpspeed]

There are also small 12v diaphragm air pumps for inflating tires.

 

[rddmddiysp]

Ok, as usual - life has me a bit too busy to give this project (and forum thread) as much attention as I'd like, but I understand I'm back to a major decision point. Either:

(A) Get an inverter with auto-restart (such as the Victron Pheonix 12 / 500, which @thesundayranch spoke highly of)

-OR-

(B) Scrap the battery and inverter. Simplify - as @Warpspeed had previously suggested - and @coyotebush and @45North recommend. This is a non-critical, daytime-only application - so I could replace the existing 120V AC pump with a 12V DC pump connected directly to the SCC. The pump would run only when the sun shines - that's fine. I understand (vaguely) there would be increased wear & tear on the pump due to frequent shutdowns & restarts.


Have I accurately captured these two options?

If so - votes / guidance?

 

[Warpspeed]

If it can be done with dc directly, (motors, heating elements) its always going to be a lot simpler and cheaper.

 

[efficientPV]

Why spend $150 on an inverter when a $15 one and buck converter will do the job.

 

[HarryN]

If your goal is algae related, this outfit offers an interesting option using ultrasonics.

Ultrasonic Algae Management Tools | Hydro Bioscience

We are a research, engineering, and manufacturing company dedicated to chemical free, algae management and biofilm remediation using ultrasound technologies.

www.hydro-bioscience.com

 

[efficientPV]

I used to grow plants with ultrasonics, made them grow like crazy. Hard to believe ultrasonics would stunt algae.

 

[rddmddiysp]

@Warpspeed - the simplicity of the DC approach is growing on me. From the ebay link you previously posted, I'd be looking at the
35 watt (70lpm) unit, I think - but they don't ship to the US. Thoughts on any of these options?

1. https://outdoorwatersolutions.com/product/12v-solar-compressor-for-dd-solar-aerators/: $200; 12-volt vertical piston compressor; rated at 2.8 CFM
2. https://pentairaes.com/12v-air-pumps.html: $180; 12V, 80 watts; 1.4 CFM - out of stock, but available at https://www.thepondreport.com/store/air-pumps-air-compressors/dc-air-pumps for $295
3. HEALiNK at Amazon: $117; 12V, 100LPM
4. any of the other options linked from https://www.thepondreport.com/solar-battery-pond-air-pumps.shtml

 

[rddmddiysp]

Why spend $150 on an inverter when a $15 one and buck converter will do the job.

@efficientPV - only because I haven't been able to find a $15 inverter, and don't know yet what a buck converter is ; ) Help.. ?

 

[rddmddiysp]

If your goal is algae related, this outfit offers an interesting option using ultrasonics.

Ultrasonic Algae Management Tools | Hydro Bioscience

We are a research, engineering, and manufacturing company dedicated to chemical free, algae management and biofilm remediation using ultrasound technologies.

www.hydro-bioscience.com

@HarryN - sounds and looks very cool! Probably way out of my price range.. but I'll try to find out..

 

[HarryN]

I used to grow plants with ultrasonics, made them grow like crazy. Hard to believe ultrasonics would stunt algae.

Was it hydro ponics or ultra sonics ?

 

[Warpspeed]

@Warpspeed - the simplicity of the DC approach is growing on me. From the ebay link you previously posted, I'd be looking at the
35 watt (70lpm) unit, I think - but they don't ship to the US. Thoughts on any of these options?

1. https://outdoorwatersolutions.com/product/12v-solar-compressor-for-dd-solar-aerators/: $200; 12-volt vertical piston compressor; rated at 2.8 CFM
2. https://pentairaes.com/12v-air-pumps.html: $180; 12V, 80 watts; 1.4 CFM - out of stock, but available at https://www.thepondreport.com/store/air-pumps-air-compressors/dc-air-pumps for $295
3. HEALiNK at Amazon: $117; 12V, 100LPM
4. any of the other options linked from https://www.thepondreport.com/solar-battery-pond-air-pumps.shtml

Don't ship to the US, are you sure ??
They are located in Arizona !
But apart from that, they are purpose built for the application, and I doubt if you could do any better.

 

[efficientPV]

Was it hydro ponics or ultra sonics ?

I used ultrasonic sound to grow plants back in 1963.

 

[rddmddiysp]

Don't ship to the US, are you sure ??
They are located in Arizona !
But apart from that, they are purpose built for the application, and I doubt if you could do any better.

This link, at least, doesn't ship to the US.

But this one seems very comparable.. ?

Do you recommend BOYU specifically? Or just this type of DC pump generally?

Is there a better source for these than ebay ?

Thank you.

 

[Warpspeed]

The first link you gave in post #72 provides an Arizona address and telephone number.

Manufacturing and Distribution Facility:
Outdoor Water Solutions, Inc.
1856 Fed X Drive, Springdale, AR 72764

My suggestion of a dc pump was general, not of any specific pump or pump supplier.
I have no personal experience with solar air pumping, so there my knowledge ends.

However I have quite a bit of experience with electrical/electronic engineering and systems design in general, which is why I recommended using direct dc rather than an inverter. It will be a lot simpler, potentially more reliable, and most probably more efficient.