How To Make A Solar Powered Pump Birdbath
If you have been thinking of making a more eco-friendly garden, have you considered getting a solar powered pump birdbath? Actually, have you thought of making one yourself?
So how will a solar powered pump birdbath benefit you?
The pros to getting one are:
a: The moving water in the fountain stop its from going stagnant
b: It uses none of your main power supply
c: The pump runs on DC power, so no inverter is needed.
d: The pump uses minute power (only 6volts) so very few solar panels are needed
e: Batteries are optional, since you usually only want the fountain to operate in the day when the birds are around.
f: It is possible to make the entire system your yourself, helping you save money
g: The birdbath can be placed anywhere in your garden, without the need for unsightly wires.
And what does it take to make a solar powered pump birdbath?
The most basic method is to buy a working birdbath with fountain, and then wire up the solar panels.
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 go the DIY route, then you will need to get:
The Birdbath:
It does not matter what birdbath you buy, but make sure there is a place for the fountain to be added. A few options for you would be copper, terracotta, cascading, ceramic, or resin birdbath fountains.
The Water Spout:
This is optional, but it makes the water spout out the top, instead of just trickling out. It can be found at your local nursery or hardware store.
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:
Silicon sealant helps fill any cracks where water could escape, such as where the tubing enters the top of the birdbath. It can also be used to insulate any bare wires.
The Solar Panels:
This is what makes this birdbath unique to your average water fountain. Depending on what size pump you buy, will need to get enough solar panels for the fountain to work properly. A a typical 6 volt pump, you will require solar panels with a capacity of at least 6 volts. But is better to be on the safe side and get a 12 volt solar panel instead, for times when it is cloudy and for late afternoons.
NB: You have 2 alternatives for the solar panels:
1 : Buy a small commercially available solar panel from any outlet, such as Wallmart.
2 : Make it yourself. With the right guide it is rather easy and much cheaper to make your own solar panel in a matter of hours. If this is something you would love to try do, then keep reading…
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).
How easy is it to put it all together?
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:
Because the pump is only 6 volts, a 12 volt battery is more than enough. It should be a deep cycle battery (car battery) that can store the power for a longer time.
Charge controller:
This is not essential, but it prevents your battery from over-charging. So it can really extend the life of the battery. It will be wired up between the solar panels and the battery.
Over and above it being affordable to build, what I like about putting together my own solar powered pump birdbath, is that once the first one is finished, making the second or third one just gets easier. It could even be a fantastic gift for a close friend or newly wed.
Related posts:
- The Advantages of Installing A Solar Powered Attic Fan Are you running your ventilation systems on conventional power? Yes?...
- Solar Oven Designs: Which Kind Is The Best? For several decades various solar oven designs have typically been...
- 4 Solar Power Options For Your Home The sun's energy is one of the most abundant and...
- Calculating Your Solar Power Requirements With green living becoming more and more important, many people...
- Types Of Renewable Energy Explored As the world's energy supplies dwindle, it is our duty...