Build Your Own
Solar Powered Minnow Bucket Aerator with Light

The image above (You guessed it!) A solar lawn light.One that has been kicked or attacked by the lawn mower is always best to use. This is the basic unit of the bucket aerator with light...and hey, the light is an extra for the aerator unit! And now on with next photo!

The photo above is the underside view of the cap that snaps on top of the lens portion. There are two batteries 1.5 volts D.C. which come with the unit for running the light. We just need to add two more batteries in parallel to run the aerator pump.The aerator pump,in this case, runs on 1.5 volts D.C. and came out of the old warped case of a functioning aerator unit. I wanted a re-chargeable aerator anyway, so this seemed like the best solution. Ok, the aerator unit runs on two each 1.5 volts "D Cell" batteries for a total of 1.5 volts D.C. in parallel. The solar lawn light runs on two each 1.5 volts D.C. "AA" batteries in series. The two "AA" batteries won't allow the aerator to run for long, so we need to double the number and put them in parallel with one battery, not both( we need only 1.5 VDC for the pump and 3.0 VDC for the light.

A brief explanation of batteries in series and parallel is required for those of you who don't know the difference. If you hook up batteries in series think of placing the negative end to the positive end to negative end and so on. Batteries in series increase the voltage by the value of the next battery. So four 1.5 volt batteries in series give you 6 volts D.C.

Batteries in parallel are connected negative end to negative end...positive end to positive end...for as many as you need. So, four 1.5 volt D.C. batteries in parallel gives you no change in voltage and it remains at 1.5 volts D.C.

Batteries in series increases the voltage and batteries in parallel increases the useable current and duration. Just think of it as the useable "stuff" to run the aerator and the light. The aerator requires more current to run and keep it running than the small light. The light ,by the way, is not a light bulb as we normally think of lights. The light is radiated from a thing called a light emitting diode or "LED" as it is called. LED's run on low current but a certain voltage is required. In this case, it requires 3.0 volts D.C.

The aerator pump above was removed from an inexpensive aerator that mounted on the side of a minnow bucket and used two D-cell batteries in "parallel" to run. It worked great as built, but the batteries would run down after a weekend and required replacing. This is the main reason for constructing a solar powered aerator. A unit design that was free of buying batteries with every fishing trip was essential. Hey, it does get expensive.The switch as seen by the pump is one of two switches used to control the light and the aerator pump. I never mounted the light switch, but put the switch under the cap for easy turn on when I wanted it. My priority was the aerator so the light was a luxury. The reason for two switches is to be able to turn the pump on and off when needed and the light for night-time use. Originally the solar lawn light would charge through the daytime hours and then run the light at night until the two AA batteries (in the light) were discharged.When you wire in the switches be sure and do not put a switch in line with the solar panel and the batteries. You want them to charge whenever there is light and you don't want to accidentally leave the switch in the off position.

In the image above you can see we have found something that will float and attached the lawn light to it with the aerator tube extending below it. You can even just attach it with wire to the side of a minnow bucket for easy removal. Be sure and leave the solar panel facing the sky so the batteries will always stay charged. The switches have been installed and it is ready to go. Maybe this project will help give you ideas on how you can make some of your fishing equipment!Have fun and good luck on this project. I hope you can build it from old equipment you can find around your garage or lawn.