Easy solar panel question

[GNRick]

I saw a fountain at Menards that I really like. Probably has one of those little fish tank pumps and a couple low voltage lights. I would like to buy a solar panel to run it. What size should I look for and where is the best place to buy it? Harbor Freight carries them as does Menards. Would the pump/lights just plug into it? Thanks!

 

[slay]

Depends. First off I only know what I have researched. Those harbor freight panels are like 45 watt panels. 12 volt I think. You probably need a charge controller to keep the voltage steady at 12 V. If you want to run after sun down then you need a battery too. Look at the voltages that the items you want to run take. The panels have a range and could possibly overrun the pump or whatever. Maybe not at low voltage but it matters on larger systems. Hopefully someone else knows more than me. I have been researching a larger system for a warehouse to provide lighting.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

I saw a fountain at Menards that I really like. Probably has one of those little fish tank pumps and a couple low voltage lights. I would like to buy a solar panel to run it. What size should I look for and where is the best place to buy it? Harbor Freight carries them as does Menards. Would the pump/lights just plug into it? Thanks!

Not enough information to answer your question.

It's electricity. It's not complicated. What are the current demands? Once you know that, picking a power supply is easy.