Scott Aerator Amherst Fountain 1/2 HP 230V 70 ft Cord – Floating Lake & Pond Aerating Display Fountain
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Description
The Scott Aerator Amherst Fountain (1/2 HP, 230V) creates a classic three-tier display — a 10-foot center column surrounded by angled side jets spanning 20 feet in diameter — at a flow rate of 55 gallons per minute. The oil-free, water-cooled stainless steel motor runs 24 hours a day with no maintenance required. Built in Holland, Michigan, and ARL tested to comply with UL and the National Electric\ Code.
This is the 230V, 70-foot cord version. 230V motors draw half the amps of the equivalent 115V unit — 5 amps vs 10 amps at 115V — and support longer custom cord runs if needed. Installation requires an L6-20 plug and a 20-amp double-pole circuit breaker. A licensed electrician should install the power source if one is not already in place at the pond's edge.
The Amherst Three-Tier Display Pattern (1/2 HP)
Complete What's Included — Amherst 1/2 HP 230V (SKU 13237)
Fountain Unit
- Amherst fountain pump with three-tier nozzle
- Oil-free, water-cooled stainless steel submersible motor — 1/2 HP, 230V, 5A
- Heavy-duty float platform
- Stainless steel filter basket (bottom screen)
Power Cord
- 70' 12-gauge submersible power cord
- L6-20 plug for 230V connection
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | 13237 |
| Horsepower | 1/2 HP |
| Voltage | 230V single-phase, 60 Hz |
| Running Amps | 5 amps (230V) | 115V version draws 10 amps |
| Cord | 70 feet — 12-gauge submersible power cord | L6-20 plug |
| Center Spray Height | 10 feet |
| Side Jets Diameter | 20 feet in diameter |
| Display Pattern | Three-tier — three distinct separated tiers |
| Flow Rate | 55 GPM |
| Minimum Pond Depth | 36 inches (3 feet) |
| Electrical Requirement | L6-20 plug | 20-amp double-pole circuit breaker | licensed electrician recommended |
| Motor Construction | Oil-free, water-cooled stainless steel submersible motor |
| Salt Water | Approved for use in salt water |
| Operation | Designed for 24-hour-per-day, year-round operation |
| Safety Certification | ARL tested and approved — UL and National Electric Code compliant |
| Origin | Built in Holland, Michigan, USA |
| Motor Warranty | 5-year unconditional motor warranty |
| Other Components Warranty | 1-year warranty on all non-motor components |
| Lighting | NOT included — optional LED kits available separately |
Amherst Series — All Horsepower Options
Why the Scott Aerator Amherst Fountain?
- Three-tier display — the Amherst's defining visual signature. The three distinctly separated tiers — center column, mid-ring, and wide outer side jets — create a formal, stately look distinct from single-spray or V-pattern aerating fountains. All three tiers are produced by a single nozzle head; no interchangeable parts are required to maintain the pattern.
- Oil-free, water-cooled motor — no contamination risk. The Amherst uses an oil-free submersible motor that is cooled by the surrounding pond water rather than an oil reservoir. There is no oil to leak, no oil changes required, and no risk of motor oil contaminating the pond or harming fish. This is Scott Aerator's primary environmental claim — all of their fountains share this design.
- 230V efficiency advantage — 5 amps, half the 115V draw. The 230V motor draws 5 amps versus 10 amps for the equivalent 115V unit. At the same horsepower and GPM output, the 230V version costs roughly half as much per hour to operate. It also supports longer custom cord runs for ponds where the electrical source is far from the water's edge.
- 24/7/365 operation with no maintenance. The Amherst is designed for continuous operation — running day and night, year-round. The stainless steel motor tolerates both hot summer conditions and freezing winter temperatures without winterizing. Scott Aerator recommends leaving the unit in the pond through winter (running or not) and removing only every 3 years for a simple rinse with a garden hose.
- ARL tested — UL and National Electric Code compliant. All Scott Aerator fountains are tested and approved by ARL (Authorized Testing Laboratory) to comply with UL standards and the National Electric Code as complete packages. This certification is required by many HOA management companies, municipalities, and commercial property owners before installation approval.
- Built in Holland, Michigan. Scott Aerator manufactures all products at their facility in Holland, Michigan — a genuine American-made fountain at a price that reflects domestic production quality rather than offshore equivalents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the Amherst 1/2 HP spray pattern look like?
The Amherst produces a classic three-tier display from a single nozzle:
- Center column: 10 feet high — a single central plume with a distinct upward profile
- Mid-ring tier: A second tier of angled water creating visible separation from the center and outer jets
- Outer side jets: Angled spray reaching 20 feet in diameter — the widest tier that creates the signature ripple effect across the pond surface
The flow rate is 55 GPM. All three tiers operate simultaneously from the same nozzle — there is no assembly or adjustment required to produce the complete display.
What are the electrical requirements for the 230V version?
The 1/2 HP 230V Amherst requires:
- L6-20 plug (twist-lock style, 230V) — included with the unit
- 20-amp double-pole circuit breaker — required at the electrical panel
- Licensed electrician — should install the power source if a 230V outdoor outlet is not already present at the pond's edge
The fountain draws 5 amps at 230V during operation. A 230V circuit also supports longer custom cord extensions beyond the included 70 feet, if needed for your pond's layout. The 115V version (10 amps, standard outlet) is limited to approximately 100-foot cord lengths before voltage drop affects performance.
What is the minimum pond depth required?
The Amherst fountain requires a minimum of 36 inches (3 feet) of water depth at the fountain's operating location. The stainless steel filter basket on the bottom of the unit needs clearance from the pond floor to prevent debris ingestion and ensure proper water cooling of the motor. If your pond is between 28–35" deep, contact us — Scott Aerator offers shallow-water solutions for some configurations. Call (765) 508-4352.
Are mooring ropes and anchoring weights included?
No — mooring ropes and anchoring weights are NOT included with the Amherst fountain. You will need to supply separately:
- Two nylon ropes (3/8" diameter or heavier recommended) for mooring the float to shore
- Two 25-pound weights or concrete blocks to anchor the ropes and hold the fountain in position
Alternatively, the ropes can be tied to shoreline stakes, dock cleats, or other fixed structures. Most hardware stores carry suitable rope and cinder blocks. The float has two stainless steel eyebolts for rope attachment.
Can the Amherst stay in the pond during winter?
Yes — Scott Aerator fountains are built for year-round operation. The oil-free motor and stainless steel construction withstand sub-zero temperatures without damage. You can either run the fountain continuously through winter (which creates a small open-water area that prevents total ice-over) or simply leave it in the pond unpowered through the season. Scott Aerator recommends removing the unit approximately every three years just to rinse the motor housing clean with a garden hose or pressure washer — not for winterizing purposes, but for general maintenance.
If the pond freezes solid and ice moves, the mooring ropes and float may experience stress — check that anchoring is secure before freeze season.
Is lighting included? What options are available?
Lighting is NOT included standard with the Amherst. LED lighting kits can be purchased now (add to your order) or later — they screw directly onto the float without tools. Available options:
- White LED kit: Single-color warm white, runs on standard 115V outdoor outlet
- Color-changing LED kit: Multiple colors, programmable timer, remote control included
A 2-bulb light kit is recommended for 1/2 HP fountains. The light kit's power cord plugs into a standard 115V GFCI outlet independently — it does not connect to the fountain's 230V circuit. Call to add a light kit to your order: (765) 508-4352.
Is the Amherst safe for salt water or brackish ponds?
Yes — the Scott Aerator Amherst is approved for use in salt water. The stainless steel motor construction and stainless steel float hardware resist corrosion in brackish or saltwater environments. Scott Aerator explicitly rates this product for salt water use, making it a strong choice for coastal retention ponds, brackish water features, and marine-influenced environments where plastic-housed competitors would corrode more rapidly.
How does the Amherst fountain aerate my pond?
The Amherst aerates through surface agitation — at 55 GPM, it projects water through the three-tier nozzle pattern, exposing a significant volume of water to atmospheric oxygen before it falls back to the surface. This surface gas exchange raises dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the upper water column and creates circulation that disrupts surface stratification. For ponds where stratification is the primary issue (typically deeper than 8 feet), supplemental bottom diffuser aeration alongside the fountain will be more effective than the fountain alone, since fountains primarily affect the upper 6 feet of the water column.
Why Buy From Pond Pro Direct?
- Authorized Scott Aerator dealer — full 5-year motor warranty and 1-year component warranty applied.
- Full Amherst series available — 1/2 HP (this unit), 1 HP, 1.5 HP, 3 HP. Call to size: (765) 508-4352.
- LED lighting kit add-on available — white or color-changing. Ask at order time.
- Price Match Guarantee — beat any lower authorized dealer price by $50 on orders over $2,000.
- 30-Day Return Period. Call or text (765) 508-4352, Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM EST.
Scott Aerator Amherst 1/2 HP 230V — 3-tier display fountain: 10 ft center column, 20 ft side-jet diameter, 55 GPM flow rate. Oil-free water-cooled stainless motor. 70' 12-gauge submersible cord. L6-20 plug, 20A double-pole breaker required. 36" min depth. Salt-water approved. ARL/UL/NEC compliant. 5-year motor warranty. Built in Holland, MI.
Comparing 1/2 HP vs 1 HP or 1.5 HP Amherst? Call or text (765) 508-4352 — Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
Price Match
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For more information, please check out Price Match Policy Page
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Returns & Refunds
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