Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I read a lot and most say that they are not designed to work long term, has this changed? Is anyone using 12 volt pumps yet, and if so what are you using. I am determined to run my pumps on solar and wind, and don't want to use an inverter. I will have A/C power there to help out if needed, but we go without power for a week at a time sometimes, and I don't want to have to rely on the grid. I don't mind spending more, just want good reliable pumps. I am planning on running two pumps of about 700 gallon per hour.

I found a sump pump with battery backup, so I think the pump actually runs on 12 volts, but voltage is listed as 110 A/C, but I think that is just to charge the battery.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_117257-84862-BW ... facetInfo=

All I can say about Lowes is Shut up...

I want Lowes here with their Pricing..

juergen..

LMAO, I guess prices are higher in Australia

No one has used 12 volt DC pumps? Guess I am going to have to be the guinea pig.

People have used them and they have not been reliable... I think Muzz went through a number of different 12V bilge pumps trying different brands (he has an online boat shop) and they all failed within a few months of constant use.

They make some 12 volt DC well pumps, I figured the bildge pumps would fail. I will do a lot more research, before I give up.

Looking forward to your findings

I have researched the 12 Volt pumps and currently run a bilge pump when I am away or fear a power outage. The pump is connected to a deep cycle battery of 97 amps and is fed by a trickle charger. I will also be adding a solar panel at some stage. It is 550 GPH and very low amps -5 if I recall correctly. It is in a setup with trout in a 2500 tank. I created a splash down with 19 mm poly parts.

The "rule" pumps sourced through Amazon would be good as users state they run 24/7 reliably but seem to burn out after a year or so. I've ordered 4 of them as back ups. The bilge pump I sourced in Australia was from super cheap auto and works just fine. Their cost is so small - $20 or less.

Generally the well pumps are very high head and fairly low flow as thats normally what you want from a well pump.. It's been a couple of years since I looked though, hopefully they have some more general ones now.



I don't know, personally I want a backup system that I know is going to work reliably when you need it too, Murphy's law and all, something with an average lifespan of 12 months is a bit wrong.

Thanks, I am hoping to run stictly off of battery power.

Yeah, I kind of thought that might be the case. What do you think of that sump pump that I posted a link to in my second post in this thread?

Anyone hear of or have any experience with these pumps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-DC-Brushles ... 416122f1af

In theory they should last as long as AC pumps, as there are no brushes to wear out and fail as in standard DC motors.

There are a few solar fountain pumps on the market.

I'm guessing they would be 12 volt.

I think my local hardware store sells a little fountain kit for around 200$ or so.

I've been working on a low power system, and one of the fountain pumps might prove to supply enough in a constant flood system where the grow bed and fish tank are at the same water level. ie the pump pumps to zero head.

Obviously the pump would need additional solar and a battery, but given the hardware store offers a 2 years warranty, I would guess there's at least a fighting chance it might be of reasonable quality.

200$ is quite a bit to pay for a pump that I'm sure wont deliver a whole lot of water, but it would almost certainly be 12 or 24 volts, and does come with presumably enough solar panel to run it during the day.