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?
What are the benefits of having a solar powered pump fountain?
The Advantages Are:
a: The water will not go stagnant since the pump is keeping it flowing
b: The pump does not have to plugged into your 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: Batteries are optional, since you usually only want the fountain to operate in the day when the birds are around.
f: You can save more money by making the entire birdbath and fountain yourself, even the solar panels.
g: The birdbath is wireless making it very portable.
So, what do you need to make your own solar powered pump fountain?
The simplest option would be for you to add solar panels to an already working birdbath and fountain.
The more inexpensive, but do-it-yourself method would be to buy a birdbath that is capable of housing a fountain. Then all you need to do is buy the pump, tubing, wiring, solar panels and batteries (optional).
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 Fountain 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 DC Pump:
The next part is buying the small dc pump. A typical 6 volt pump should be adequate, but you may need to go bigger, if the birdbath or water feature is larger than normal.
Tubing for irrigation:
This tubing generally should be narrow enough to keep the water pressure high, so that the water can be pumped properly. My advice would be to visit the nearby garden center and have a look at what piping is used.
Silicon Sealant:
This is used to seal all joins where the water could escape from, and also to insulate any bare wire from getting wet where it has been joined.
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: To get the solar panels, you have 2 choices:
1 : Buy a small commercially available solar panel from any outlet, such as Wallmart.
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).
How easy is it to put it all together?
Once you have all the components and tools at your disposal, putting the system together shouldn't take you more than 2 hours. And within an afternoon you could have a fully functional solar powered pump birdbath.
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:
Since the system is small, a 12 volt battery should be enough. This will be wired up between the charge controller and the pump.
Charge Controller:
This is not that important, but to protect the battery from over-charging and to maximize it lifespan, you should a charge controller that sits between the solar panels and the battery.
The nice thing about about building a solar powered pump birdbath yourself is that it is not only cheaper, but once you know how, you can make as many as you want. It could also make a great gift for an energy conscious friend or family member.
What are the benefits of having a solar powered pump fountain?
The Advantages Are:
a: The water will not go stagnant since the pump is keeping it flowing
b: The pump does not have to plugged into your 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: Batteries are optional, since you usually only want the fountain to operate in the day when the birds are around.
f: You can save more money by making the entire birdbath and fountain yourself, even the solar panels.
g: The birdbath is wireless making it very portable.
So, what do you need to make your own solar powered pump fountain?
The simplest option would be for you to add solar panels to an already working birdbath and fountain.
The more inexpensive, but do-it-yourself method would be to buy a birdbath that is capable of housing a fountain. Then all you need to do is buy the pump, tubing, wiring, solar panels and batteries (optional).
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 Fountain 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 DC Pump:
The next part is buying the small dc pump. A typical 6 volt pump should be adequate, but you may need to go bigger, if the birdbath or water feature is larger than normal.
Tubing for irrigation:
This tubing generally should be narrow enough to keep the water pressure high, so that the water can be pumped properly. My advice would be to visit the nearby garden center and have a look at what piping is used.
Silicon Sealant:
This is used to seal all joins where the water could escape from, and also to insulate any bare wire from getting wet where it has been joined.
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: To get the solar panels, you have 2 choices:
1 : Buy a small commercially available solar panel from any outlet, such as Wallmart.
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).
How easy is it to put it all together?
Once you have all the components and tools at your disposal, putting the system together shouldn't take you more than 2 hours. And within an afternoon you could have a fully functional solar powered pump birdbath.
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:
Since the system is small, a 12 volt battery should be enough. This will be wired up between the charge controller and the pump.
Charge Controller:
This is not that important, but to protect the battery from over-charging and to maximize it lifespan, you should a charge controller that sits between the solar panels and the battery.
The nice thing about about building a solar powered pump birdbath yourself is that it is not only cheaper, but once you know how, you can make as many as you want. It could also make a great gift for an energy conscious friend or family member.
About the Author:
If you want to make your own solar panel for the birdbath, then have a look at the Earth4Energy Sneak Peek - a FREE preview of the top-rated step-by-step solar power guide. It may also help to read the Earth4Energy Review.
