How To Make A Solar Powered Pump Birdbath
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
If you are thinking of doing a few upgrades to your garden, have you ever thought of getting a solar powered pump birdbath? In fact, why buy one, when you can make it?
So how will a solar powered pump birdbath benefit you?
The Advantages Are:
a: Fountains circulate the water, keeping the bird bath from going stagnant
b: It uses none of your main power supply
c: No inverter is needed since the pump operates on direct current.
d: It requires little power (about 6 volts) so you only need a few small solar panels.
e: No batteries are required, since the pump only really needs to operate during the day when the sun is out and the birds are in the garden.
f: It is possible to make the entire system your yourself, helping you save money
g: It is very portable since it has no wires.
What parts and materials are needed to build a solar powered pump birdbath?
The simplest option would be for you to add solar panels to an already working birdbath and fountain.
The alternative is to, and more DIY approach is to buy a birdbath that is ready for a fountain pump to be installed (it has the right holes, and a place for the pump to be installed), and then add the various pump and power components.
If you want to save money, and build your own system, then you will need:
The Birdbath:
Here you have a choice of cascading fountains, copper fountains, terracotta birdbaths, resin fountains, or the conventional ceramic birdbath. Just make sure a pump system can be installed on the birdbath.
The Water Spout:
Depending on whether you want the water to trickle or spout out the top, you can get the right attachment from most hardware stores or garden centers.
Small Fountain Pump:
Depending your birdbath size, the volume of water to be pumped and how high you want to pump it, will help you decide on the voltage and size pump needed. For your average, medium-sized birdbath, a small 6 volt DC pump will suffice.
PVC pipe for irrigation:
When buying the irrigation for the fountain, it is best not to get piping that is too wide, otherwise the right water pressure will not be maintained and the pump will not work properly. So before you buy the wrong tubing, get advice from your local garden center and see what they use in similarly sized birdbaths
Silicon Sealant:
This is one of those essentials that you should already have lying around the house. It will help seal all those joins and also protect electrics from water damage.
The Solar Panels:
This is what make the solar powered pump birdbath portable and wireless. The number and power capacity of the solar panels needed is determined by what pump you bought. If it was the average 6 volt DC pump, then you will need 6 volt solar power. But it better to get solar panels with more power capacity than this for times when the sunlight is poor.
NB: For the solar panels, there are two options:
1 : Buy a small commercial portable solar power kit from a department store such as Target.
2 : The cheaper, DIY route and make the panel yourself. Luckily this is actually rather simple for anyone to learn to do. So if you want to learn to make your own, then carry on reading to the end...
To get the maximum sunlight, the solar panels need to be fixed in simple frame, and be south-facing (if you are in the northern hemisphere).
Can anyone build this birdbath?
If you have all the tools and materials and any diy experience, you could have a working solar powered pump birdbath within in a matter of hours - that's if all goes to plan...
A good idea would to add some batteries to the birdbath, so that the excess solar power can be stored and to power the pump at night. For a 24 hour fountain, you will need:
1) Deep cycle battery:
You will need deep cycle battery that is capable of storing a charge for a long time. A 12 volt one should be more than enough to power a 6 volt pump.
Charge Controller:
It is not vital , but if you want the battery to last longer, a charge controller will protect the battery from over-charging. It is wired from the solar panels and then to the battery.
Other than it being really cheap to make, the big advantage of making your solar powered pump fountain is that once you have that skill it is there with you forever. You could even make it as an eco-friendly gift for your friend's next birthday.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
Insurance Comparison Quotes - Selected Insurance Carriers eager to quote you a price, fast!-
Word Count: 855
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
