ok..i think i'm on the right track that output is limited due to temp being so cold (water is 54 F right now..possibly getting as cold as 34 farenheit overnight..brrrrr) i've come to the conclusion unless someone wants to correct me otherwise in my thinking that there is no need with it still being this cold to run the autopilot..matter of fact, not good to run if it's below 50 anyway on the cell. so, it's powered off until it gets warm enough. funny but i couldn't find any info online googling to tell me when common algae starts to grow. i have put my solar cover on and my biggest concern is to run the pump overnight so water doesn't freeze!