Solar fountain experiments

I have solar fountains located to help me locate the septic tank cleanout and leach field distribution box. In this video I upgrade one fountain to make it more of a feature and I designed a tracking system for the solar panel.
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Tools I own, use in my videos and recommend (as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Used or referenced in this video:
Ball Turning Attachment For 7 x 14 / 7x16 Mini Lathe: amzn.to
5.5W Solar Fountain Pump Built-in 1500mAh Battery: amzn.to/3KzHJqf
Solar Powered Bird Bath Fountain Pump: amzn.to/3s9EkZ0
Other tools I use and you see in my videos:
Optical Punch Set: amzn.to/3zI07rm
Fowler Electronic Edge Finder - 0.200" amzn.to/3lrOscG
Lathe centering Bump Roller: amzn.to/3LnIiVq
Center finder for side of round stock (not super accurate!): amzn.to/3YZgRp4
Center finder for end of round bar: amzn.to/3ZgkOW7
Magnetic Base Adjustable Metal Test Indicator Holder: amzn.to/3JTsKI8
6 Piece Spotting Drill Bit Set, High Speed Steel, Short Length 120 degree, Uncoated: amzn.to/3YDSw7I
Taytools 1-1/2 Inch Machinist Center Finder amzn.to/3Sw1t0P
Mitutoyo Edge finder tool: amzn.to/3LinTkC
iGaging 6" digital caliper: amzn.to/3yHg8x5
7 Piece center drill bit set: amzn.to/3mqSIZT
Grizzly wiggler/center finder 5 piece set - for insides of circular holes: amzn.to/3IAmLpM
Bahco Smooth Cut Lathe File: amzn.to/404vVCC
3pcs 3/8"/10mm Shank Indexable Carbide Lathe Turning Tools Insert Holder Bit Set: amzn.to/3CS95nK
5Pcs 3/8" Inch Indexable Carbide Insert cutters with TCMT110204 Carbide Inserts: amzn.to/3WeZmyW
2" diameter Indexable End Mill with 3 - Tpg32 Carbide Inserts, 3/4" Straight Shank: amzn.to/3GNLbuH
Ball Turning Attachment For 7 x 14 / 7x16 Mini Lathe: amzn.to/3ZDscf3
2" Boring Head R8 Shank 1/2" Carbide Boring Bar Set: amzn.to/3J1wGpQ
Keyless 1/32"- 5/8" Drill Chuck with R8 Shank Adapter: amzn.to/3CTUetb
3 Spring Caliper set 8" / 200mm - Inside/Outside/Divider: amzn.to/3H79nts
Sewing Machine Light LED Light with flex gooseneck: amzn.to/3XyhHrv
Deburring Wheel, Nylon Fiber Buffing Polishing Wheel 6 inch 9P Hardness: amzn.to/3XlIzLN
Thrust Needle Roller Bearing with Two Washers 1/2" (for mill spindle nut): amzn.to/3CS65bg
Metric M42 8% Cobalt Twist Drill Bits Set for Stainless Steel and Hard Metal (1mm-10mm/19pcs): amzn.to/3HjquIV
Shars DRO for mini-lathe Z-axis (carriage) position. (You can cut down the 24" capacitive scale - it's aluminum.): amzn.to/3fjOfFw
Digital tachometer: amzn.to/3UePGUg
FLEXBAR Optical Center Punch: amzn.to/3WRwpKD
IRWIN Step Drill Bit Set (I highly recommend Irwin brand step drills. They were the originator of this concept in the 1980s and the knockoffs are not nearly as good) : amzn.to/3hv4zno
Angel Eye Ring Light (for mini mill): amzn.to/3fp5hSy
DC motor speed controller (for mill table feed and mini-lathe carriage): amzn.to/3WOhOjk
Brownell Oxpho-Blue Professional Grade Cold Blue: amzn.to/3TtslyX

[@CorwynGC]

Nice.
The cover patch is looking good too.

[@GuyMarsdenMakesStuff]

Yes all this wet weather helped the clover germinate, and I've added a bunch of perennial wildflower seed too.

[@RyanEbrahimi]

Could you use a zener diode to only turn on power to the pump when the panel is getting enough sun? That way when the sun is just rising the pump won't be stealing power until the motors are able to move the panel over.

[@GuyMarsdenMakesStuff]

Interesting idea, but not really practical. Consider a situation where cloud cover happens in the middle of the day for an extended period of time. The fountain pump would prioritize the use of the solar power and prevent the tracking motors from running as you saw in the video. I think the battery was the best solution and I really like the system that I purchased.

[@Sokol_]

Hello. Do you sell those tracking system boards?

[@GuyMarsdenMakesStuff]

Ha! I thought someone would ask. No, if I did I'd need over $150 each. If you have the skills you could solder the circuit using through hole components on perf board. But calibration would be a pain.