I am looking for a fountain for my 2 acre pond.Something nice like you see in a park with LED lights.The power has to be run 250 ft from shop to pond(outlet) then maybe another 150 ft to the middle of pond.If anyone has expertise in this area any insight will be appreciated.
Can't help, but would love to see what it looks like when complete!
The Man
will do
Do you have a good turn over of water or do you get algae blooms . That may determine the size of the pump that will be needed . Howsabout somthin like this .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c68Adj-PtU
Is it a hard "NO" to solar? If not that may be your better bet. A panel, a battery ,and a solar controller with capacity to run a pretty big fountain is gonna cost under $150 and as long as you go for a 12v fountain pump (very common) then the wiring is a breeze and you don't need to consider AC conversion or any of that headache.
Joe I have seen the one at the Bellagio in Vegas, but never had to go to Dubai, that's impressive! Jason I would love to do solar if possible, I even thought about a windmill, not sure it could produce enough juice yet. I want a pump powerful enough to produce at least 20 feet vertical, from my research it may have to be a 1-3 hp pump? I worked in electronics for 38 years and can do all the wiring. My ditch witch guy has installed several fountains and recommends getting a 220VAC unit. I know it will draw less current and in the long run be cheaper to run after the initial cost. I know there is a formula for what gauge/distance for a run. I have to go 250ft from my shop to the pond to stub up an outlet(thinking 10 gauge but haven't done the math). Then the fountain cord is another 150ft to center of pond, any insight will be appreciated?
Truthfully my design was based on a waterfall where GPM mattered to me more than feet of head, so I never calculated that. If memory serves an 80gpm 12v pump needs about 2A to run. A 40w panel could run that even if it's not super sunny.
Full disclosure I haven't given this any thought in about a year, take my #s with a grain of salt.
I can't wait to see the finished product. Videos please. Dominick
Will do, I can see us watching it at sundown with the lights on in lieu of tv.
It's complicated and probably not a good DIY hack project. You cannot buy a conventional pump and expect it to work. It will need to be an impeller encased in a sleeve and throwing water against a cone. The float has to hold the outlet at just the right height and not start bouncing or wobbling around.
Your best bet is to buy a complete unit off the shelf from Scott Aerator or someone like that. You will get a more dramatic affect with less horsepower.
I have ordered the fountain and remote controlled color changing light kit. It is a Scott Aerator "Amherst" 1.5HP. I bought 300' 8/3 UF to run from the shop to the fountain. My ditch witch guy is coming Thursday. For the electricians in our group the pump draws 10.6 amps/lights 1.5amps.I was told to get a "water rated" GFIC which I haven't found yet which I never heard of I thought they all were? The local electrical parts house is looking for one. I googled breaker rating is to be 1.25 times the required amperage? This equals 15.1 amps, so I am rounding up to a 20 amp breaker. I will post pics when complete.
I can't find the picture but I have a 1/2 acre pond that has a 120v misting system. It had a weighted air line underwater from the pump to the aerator. The aerator floats on top.
I do have it.
No picture of the pump though.
What's the dolphin do,is that it, that's cool? Nice pond!
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 26, 2022, 05:09:33 PMWhat's the dolphin do,is that it, that's cool? Nice pond!
Right now it's a target for my suppressed custom Ruger 10/22
It was put in by the previous owner
The only water rated receptacle I've see or had inspected was one outside my garage in a waterproof box from any home store
The pump is in a wooden box mounted on a 4x4. Painted green
The brick structure sprays water but it doesn't do any aeration. It's more like a pool fountain
Keith
Here is the picture of the pump house.
The wire is buried.
My son used direct burial wire at his place too
My ditch witch guy suggested I throw a water line in the trench so I can tie into the irrigation system and add a pump in the future. I ran a T off for a new garden spot. City sewage is pricey like everything else. I got all the wiring done just waiting for the fountain to arrive. Will update when complete.
Wow that trench is a country mile.
250ft
Well the fountain is finally complete,only hiccup was a new bad GFIC breaker.The voltage at shop measured 247VAC and the receptacles 250ft at the pond also read 247VAC.The pump only requires 230VAC. Now I am glad I went with the 8/3 UF.The remote for the lights works inside the house 250ft away.The fish and birds are happy !
Whoa, COOL!
The pictures don't do it justice,the tallest spray is 30 ft.
Looks great. Now you can feed the fish without worry.
Yes oc1 I can feed them and it is a Scott Aerator Amherst 1.5 HP,it is well built for continuous operation even in salt water.I was starting to get some algae,I think this will really help the pond overall.
Way cool. dominick