There are many solar fountain pumps on the market but I selected this one due to its compactness, low relative cost, and apparent mechanical simplicity. I am happy to report that I was not disappointed. I won't reiterate the contents of the box as it's all very clearly described on the Amazon listing. It is enough to say that installation of this pump is incredibly easy. Set the pump into the lowest part of your fountain, then run the wire through the base of your fountain and then out to the solar panel. Set the solar panel on the included lawn spike, plug the pump into the solar panel, add water, and you're done. Easy.
In my case, I was using the pump in a birdbath/fountain that I'd purchased from Home Depot. That fountain included its own pump but it was AC powered and as it was going to be set up in the far corner of my back yard there was no way for me to get power out there without spending a small fortune. Not worth it. So I simply removed the pump that came with the fountain and swapped in the pump from this kit. There was a momentary bit of disappointment when I realized that the feed hose for the fountain was much larger than the output nozzle of the pump. I had expected to make a trip to Home Depot to see about an adapter, but then I peeked into the box and found several adapters already there — including the one that I needed. Hooray!
Fabulous! Fabulous!!!! I am ecstatic with this product. This pump began working immediately upon being turned on. I live in Florida, and set it up facing south at 3pm on a clear sunny day. The solar panel is high on a fence with no obstruction to block the sun. The sun set at 6pm that first day after the pump running only three hours and the pump was still running at midnight!! I have multiple electric powered fountains throughout the property but wanted to add one to a special garden setting where there was no access to electricity. I decided to try solar as we have a sail boat and use solar power to trickle charge our batteries and have been very happy with that. I read all the reviews regarding this pump before purchasing it. The problems that people who aren't happy with it seem to be the same problems that make people unhappy with an electric fountain. I found that the way to have the least amount of work and the most enjoyment from a fountain is to do the following:
1. Get or make a fountain with a deep reservoir so you don't have to fill it daily.
2. Make sure that the flowing water is not set up so it will blow out of the fountain during windy days, emptying the fountain. The narrower the receptacle and higher the water drops, the more likely this is to happen.
3. Find or make a fountain that has a protective area for the pump so debris does not clog the pump. I purchased a fountain with an electrical pump and simply substituted the solar pump for the electrical one. The pump sits under the base of the upper part of the fountain with openings large enough for the water to return to the pump but not leaves etc. I've also made one using a large pot. I put a round tray with holes into the pot about 1/3 from the top, threading the pump's tubing through it and placing decorative rocks on the tray. This fountain has been going year round for 2 1/2 years and I have not had to take it apart to clean it yet! Birds are in it constantly.
4. The shorter the lift of the water from the pump to the outflow, the brisker the water flow. With this solar pump, I made sure the lift was less than a foot. The stream of water is full and makes a WONDERFUL sound.
5. Every few weeks, I put several tablespoons of bleach into the water to keep algae from growing. It keeps the water clear and allows me to go for a LONG time without having to clean the pump.
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