Solar Air Pump

[maetsuen]

Solar Air Pump

In this DIY video we take a look on the practical application of solar pond aeration with the current solar technology available for DIY'ers like the most of us.
I wanna share what I have learned from this DIY experience in the hopes that it might create a spark in you to try solar air pump as well. Because this really is a nice option to go to. From the looks of it the expensive equipment in this build are the battery and the solar panel.
But don't let that stop you. Just give it a thought and let the idea play in that tinkering mind of yours.

Here a few screens I got from video build.
































Total cost is US is $200 and the bulk of that goes to the solar panel and the battery.
Plus the experience in finally doing this which was priceless.
I hope I have positively agitated your minds with this build.

That's about it for this DIY Solar Air Pump.

[doe5ia14]

I've been putting together a solar system to help take some power away from the house as well. The batteries are easily the most expensive part.

[Victor Chen]

Wonderful! How many KWH can your system generate per day?


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[maetsuen]

Wonderful! How many KWH can your system generate per day?


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Because of the equipment I have I cannot actually calculate the KWH generatead at all.
All I can see is the voltage of the 20 AH Lead Acid Battery (for e-scooter).
I observed from 8am to 3pm the voltmeter would play from 12.8 volts to 13.7 volts.
The full battery light indicator would also lit up in the solar charge controller throughout this time.

I tried running it at night and by 8pm battery voltage was down to 12.1 volts.

Learned a lot from this build. Found out I needed to save more $$$ to spend to get this solar set-up to run much longer
on battery at night or during power outage or when there's not much sunlight throughout the day.

[nil13]

What are the electrical stats on the air pump?

[maetsuen]

What are the electrical stats on the air pump?

Here's the details on the box it came with.

[Victor Chen]

Please correct me if I’m wrong. Your battery can hold 12v * 20AH, which is 0.24 KWH. The pump is 35w. So maximum the battery can support the pump for 6.5 hours. Since you said the battery was full almost all day time, I guess you have enough solar panel but just need a bigger battery.


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[maetsuen]

Please correct me if I’m wrong. Your battery can hold 12v * 20AH, which is 0.24 KWH. The pump is 35w. So maximum the battery can support the pump for 6.5 hours. Since you said the battery was full almost all day time, I guess you have enough solar panel but just need a bigger battery.


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Hey Victor you are correct. A bigger battery is what need. If I would totally drain the battery a smart guess is 6.5 hours of use.
When I get the funds for a bigger battery I'll share it here once again the updated video for this solar air pump set-up.

For now I run this solar air pump from 6am to 8pm. I just want to find out if any of the item in the build will be broken.
It's now been almost 3 weeks all items are still working fine.

[BWG]

If looking for 100% availability even with multiple diminished sun days then your system isn't close to being up to par. Use a 60 watt device in a solar calculator and it's amazing the battery and panel needed for a small device. $$$$$

[coolwon]

How does a mechanical type 35watt air pump compare to a diaphragm type 40 liter air pump.+- 40 watts?

Would a diaphragm type air pump not deliver more air for the amount air delivered by the mechanical air pump?.

I am trying to compare the efficiencies of the two methods of air quantities?

[BWG]

Can't trust the specifications on any Chinese product. One would have to measure.

As for the two pump types the Chinese air pump with motor is undependable with a short life. Short life complaint reported on Aquaponic forums.

[coolwon]

I would be inclined to use a mixture of solar and power, using a battery charger and suitable deep cycle batteries and diaphragm type air pumps

[coolwon]

I like the pic of the clover leaf air distributor.

I bought some of the air distribution rubber hose when I was in Japan.

I will put it to good use.

By makeing air distribution manifolds up out of bent 316 stainless steel tube and and a short section of larger bore pipe cut to length and all

TIG welded together.

The stainless steel will give it the weight to anchor it in position.

The round air stones can leak between the plastic perimeters and the actual stone.

Losing the circumferance size of the rising bubbles and strength of the current.