Forum | Any electrical experts on here? by Bent_double

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Any electrical experts on here? 20:47 - Mar 18 with 1017 views

Quick question, if I may.

I have a solar powered garden fountain, some g1t stole the solar panel a while ago.
The company don't do spare parts, so ended up going on ebay and buying a small solar panel that I hoped would work.

Well, it didn't, and I wasn't sure if it was the panel, or the pump, so I brought the pump inside, set it on a chair, stuck the solar panel out of the window and connected the wires. I could here a slight whining sound coming from the pump, so it proved the panel was working, and maybe the pump.

Got out a multimeter and put it on the panel wires, it showed around 14.5V were being generated, I would have thought that would be enough to run a small water pump?

So, that's the extent of my expertise - could it just be the pump is knackered (it did spend all winter outside in water, not working), or maybe the panel's not upto the job?

I mean I can just buy a complete pump and panel set on ebay for a tenner, but I like to know why things don't work before I give up.

Poll:

So what do we think will happen with MM and the Aston Villa job?

Any electrical experts on here? on 20:50 - Mar 18 with 987 views

EdwardStone

I don't know much, but I guess your pump will only work it the panel gives the correct voltage and wattage

There should be a little printed panel on the side of the pump that lists these requirements

Any electrical experts on here? on 20:51 - Mar 18 with 982 views

mellowblue

Might not be an electrical issue. Does the pump filter need cleaning out ? Could be the pump is trying to work but debris is preventing it from pumping.

Any electrical experts on here? on 21:07 - Mar 18 with 927 views

Bent_double

Any electrical experts on here? on 20:50 - Mar 18 by EdwardStone
I don't know much, but I guess your pump will only work it the panel gives the correct voltage and wattage There should be a little printed panel on the side of the pump that lists these requirements

No, nothing on the pumpt other than a CE mark. It has been in water for a few years though, maybe a label wore off.

Poll:

So what do we think will happen with MM and the Aston Villa job?

Any electrical experts on here? on 21:09 - Mar 18 with 915 views

Bent_double

Any electrical experts on here? on 20:51 - Mar 18 by mellowblue
Might not be an electrical issue. Does the pump filter need cleaning out ? Could be the pump is trying to work but debris is preventing it from pumping.

I did put it in a bowl of clean water to clear out all the debris, quite a bit came out, so I don't think it's blocked.

Poll:

So what do we think will happen with MM and the Aston Villa job?

Any electrical experts on here? on 09:03 - Mar 19 with 639 views

ArnoldMoorhen

Does it require an inverter?

(And that is the limit of my electrical knowledge!)

Any electrical experts on here? on 09:07 - Mar 19 with 633 views

ArnoldMoorhen

Any electrical experts on here? on 09:03 - Mar 19 by ArnoldMoorhen
Does it require an inverter? (And that is the limit of my electrical knowledge!)

Google says "No".

Solar panels produce DC, but the pump is likely to be DC.

Any electrical experts on here? on 11:49 - Mar 20 with 452 views

Meadowlark

Try the pump with a car battery. That should give you extra current. If it works, you've proved the pump and determined that the solar panel is not providing enough power. ie the voltage might be OK, but not enough current. If it doesn't work, well you're no further forward. Have you measured the output of the panels when on load? ie when the pump is connected? If it's making noises it implies it's kinda working electrically, so if it's not pumping it points to a mechanical problem possibly. Maybe broken impeller or gunked up. Can you disassemble the pump or is it a sealed item? Also the pump may need priming if it's been run in air so ensure it's immersed when testing.

Any electrical experts on here? on 11:58 - Mar 20 with 433 views

BloomBlue

The pump has probably been working while having a load of dirt around it over the last year, which has effectively overloaded it. Thats very common, people only clean out the cr*p every 1 or 2 years.

Any electrical experts on here? on 14:28 - Mar 20 with 368 views

Benters

I’ve got an electric water butt fountain type of thingy I have to clean the pump a couple of times a year,and sometimes the hose that takes the water from the pump gets blocked so I have to clean that as well.

	Gentlybentley
Poll:	Which is best Cycling or Running,i will go for cycling as you are sitting down

Any electrical experts on here? on 15:30 - Mar 20 with 337 views

Bent_double

Thanks for the suggestions, I've got a feeling it might just be the pump, either blocked or just burnt out, so will see if I can narrow it down to that first.

Poll:

So what do we think will happen with MM and the Aston Villa job?

Any electrical experts on here? on 15:35 - Mar 20 with 329 views

Benters

Any electrical experts on here? on 15:30 - Mar 20 by Bent_double
Thanks for the suggestions, I've got a feeling it might just be the pump, either blocked or just burnt out, so will see if I can narrow it down to that first.

I got a new pump for mine i believe it was £12 be careful though,there are lots of different strength of pump,make sure you get like for like.

	Gentlybentley
Poll:	Which is best Cycling or Running,i will go for cycling as you are sitting down

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