Outdoor Fountain Pumps

[Lee DeRaud]

I have two fountains on my patio that GF wants to replace. They were originally 120VAC, but I had long ago retrofitted them with 12VAC pumps to run off a standard landscape lighting transformer. The candidate replacement for the larger fountain is 120VAC, so it needs a replacement pump in the 240-300GPM range.

Problem is, all the low-voltage pumps I'm seeing are either way too small or 12VDC. Amazon is kicking my butt: searching for "low voltage fountain pump" coughs up several hundred entries, most of which are clearly 120VAC (the plug on the end of the cord is kind of a giveaway), with a few of the aforementioned too-small and/or DC units. Is there a different search term I need to use, or am I looking at a new/additional transformer to use with a DC pump?

[Bill Dufour]

Why not add a rectifier and use dc? Or justt use solar
Bill D

[Lee DeRaud]

Why not add a rectifier and use dc? Or justt use solar
Bill D
Well, I'm trying not to turn this into a scavenger hunt...

Do you have a source for a 12VAC-12VDC converter that is weatherproof? It'll either have to be at the output of the transformer (outside) or at the fountain itself (also outside, plus water), those are the only places the wire is above ground. And it needs to handle at least 50W.

[Howard Garner]

Might try this from Amazon.
150 W and water roof.

LED Driver 150W 12.5A Waterproof IP67 Power Supply 12V DC Transformer Adapter
Thinner and Durable Low Voltage Power Supply for
LED Strip Lights LED Module and Power Accessories
Howard Garner

[Kev Williams]

this was the closest fit I found on Amazon--

484160

https://www.amazon.com/12V-Brushless-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium/dp/B01IAFCRF2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2FGKHG9JFCYDI&keywords=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump&qid=1660109164&sprefix=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump%2C aps%2C118&sr=8-7&th=1

(https://www.amazon.com/12V-Brushless-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium/dp/B01IAFCRF2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2FGKHG9JFCYDI&keywords=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump&qid=1660109164&sprefix=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump%2C aps%2C118&sr=8-7&th=1)just noticed this is DC...

[Lee DeRaud]

this was the closest fit I found on Amazon--

484160

https://www.amazon.com/12V-Brushless-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium/dp/B01IAFCRF2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2FGKHG9JFCYDI&keywords=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump&qid=1660109164&sprefix=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump%2C aps%2C118&sr=8-7&th=1

(https://www.amazon.com/12V-Brushless-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium/dp/B01IAFCRF2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2FGKHG9JFCYDI&keywords=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump&qid=1660109164&sprefix=low%2Bvoltage%2Bfountain%2Bwater%2Bpump%2C aps%2C118&sr=8-7&th=1)just noticed this is DC...

Yup, that was happening a lot.

[Bill Dufour]

I assume a boat or motorcycle rectifier would be waterproof. Looks like they want 20 volts or more for input.
Bill D

https://www.amazon.com/Regulator-Rectifier-regulator-rectifier-Electrical/dp/B08DX9WG65?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/MRELC-Rectifier-Regulator-Compatible-Motorcycle/dp/B091MMPPZY (https://www.amazon.com/Regulator-Rectifier-regulator-rectifier-Electrical/dp/B08DX9WG65?th=1)

[Lee DeRaud]

UPDATE: Found exactly one 12VAC pump with the required volume. The 120V version of the same pump is available pretty much anywhere, probably the same one that ships with the fountain. The low-voltage version is only in stock at one fountain supply place in Maine, 5-7 day delivery, but certainly better than ordering from Alibaba or some such.

Luckily the second (smaller) fountain we picked will run off the same pumps as the old fountains...I think I even have a new-in-box spare if I can remember where I stashed it.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm glad I don't have to MacGyver this one.

[Rich Engelhardt]

In case you have issues with the one you found, here's the 12V A/C to 12V D/C waterproof rectifier.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Waterproof-Rectifier-Transformer-Landscape/dp/B07N1H2MV1

[Lee DeRaud]

In case you have issues with the one you found, here's the 12V A/C to 12V D/C waterproof rectifier.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Waterproof-Rectifier-Transformer-Landscape/dp/B07N1H2MV1
A bit of kit that may prove useful in the future...looks like it was actually intended for this situation. Bookmarked.
Thanks.

[Bill Dufour]

In case you have issues with the one you found, here's the 12V A/C to 12V D/C waterproof rectifier.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Waterproof-Rectifier-Transformer-Landscape/dp/B07N1H2MV1


The one Howard posted is less money and includes the transformer and rectifier in one sealed package.
Bill D.

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Transformer-Adapter-Accessories-Warranty/dp/B075RDM4K8?th=1

[Lee DeRaud]

The one Howard posted is less money and includes the transformer and rectifier in one sealed package.
That's a bug, not a feature: I already have a transformer, and also need 12VAC for the existing lights. The 12VAC->12VDC widget can be mounted at the fountain without affecting other devices. In any case, I think the problem is sorted without the need for either.

Thanks anyway.