| Solar Pumps and Solar Lights for Ponds | | | | work, but it has so far not panned out, not well |
| As the president of a company that sells a lot of | | | | anyway. We really caught on to this when we |
| fountain pumps, and who also receives a lot of | | | | noticed that some companies were taking credit |
| OEM inquiries, I've been around the block on solar | | | | cards for everyting but their solar pumps. This |
| pumps. They seem like such a great idea. No | | | | means to us that they do not want to have to |
| wiring needed! No electric bill! I tried to sell solar | | | | be faced with chargebacks and returns. |
| pumps to major fountain manufacturers but | | | | Customers are too often disappointed in the |
| never got a sample to one of them that could | | | | product and demand their money back including |
| pass muster. | | | | shipping both ways. It gets to be too much. |
| Many customers believe that we are just too lazy | | | | So here is what we have come to suggest to |
| to try solar, or we don't want to cut into a | | | | customers: think modestly. If you really want a |
| 110-volt market that is already doing well. But the | | | | solar pump, perhaps think of it as a novelty item |
| truth of the matter is that solar still runs into quite | | | | as much as anything. And also make sure you |
| a few problems, not the least of which has been, | | | | have somewhere to hide the solar panel. In other |
| in my experience, not enough sunlight! | | | | words, do not plan to install a solar fountain in |
| You see, most of the solar pumps out there are | | | | your front yard. The solar panels have to be put |
| powered by solar panels (many of them quite | | | | in direct sun and are easy targets for thieves. |
| good quality, by the way) that require direct | | | | They are as easy to steal as a flower or leaf on |
| sunlight in order to work. That means that they | | | | the lawn. So plan someplace in the backyard in full |
| go on and off all day long, depending on whether | | | | sun and don't get bothered if the thing goes off |
| a cloud is passing, where the sun is in reference | | | | and on all day. Also, put a pump in a fountain that |
| to the panel, and so forth. Some do have | | | | requires low head (height of pumping) and not |
| batteries in them, for sure, but these units are | | | | much volume (from 30-80 gallons per hour |
| expensive and also do not pump very much | | | | maxiumum usually). Or better yet, just use solar |
| water at very high of head. The truth of the | | | | lights. They work and they are cute. Floating solar |
| matter is that solar is a lot better idea | | | | pond lights are also available these days. These |
| conceptually than it is in the world when tested. | | | | can be "thrown" on top of a pond or pool and |
| Think of it this way. Those little solar lights in the | | | | work the same as in-the-lawn solar fixtures. |
| yard that are collecting sunlight all day burn only | | | | Floating pool lights and pond lights, we predict, will |
| 8-10 hours at night. They typically have enough | | | | be of great interest in the next few years. They |
| power to light two tiny LED bulbs. Worse yet, | | | | are the easiest way to create ambience that will |
| when it comes to pumps, the DC pumps used for | | | | last for years with no maintenance. They are |
| solar fountains don't last the kind of hours that a | | | | usually available in different colors for seasonal |
| normal magnetic rotor pump lasts. | | | | effects (red, white, and blue for July 4, for |
| This is too bad. We have really wanted solar to | | | | example). |