At my community garden we have a seasonably adjustable solar array:
8 panels
each 20 watt 17.2 volt 1.17 amps wired in parallel.
Wired directly to a Johnson bilge pump
DC 12v 12 amps to create aeration and a waterfall in our koi and turtle pond.
no battery storage, converter, regulator, etc involved, just a switch.
The trouble is for which we would fully appreciate someone's advice is:
the pump only lasts at most a year. I'm told the motor gets burned with over voltage i full sunlight
the windings get burned and with under amperage when the irradiance lessens.
So, should we add a small battery that would charge up and then feed the pump? With appropriate regulators etc? Trouble is we want the pump pumping when the sun is out, not charging the battery.
Any ideas anyone?
Jonathan Keller
for La Plaza Cultural Community Garden
www.laplazacultural.com
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