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Photocell For Bird Bath Pump From Newbie On Photovoltaics

B

Bob

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

Would be most grateful for some advice with this.

Have the typical round, pedestal base, type of bird bath on my Deck.
Didn't attract too many birds, and have been told that the reason is
that birds love bird baths that have some kind of running water, perhaps
a spray, and avoid bird baths that just have a "stagnant" pool of water,
no matter how clean.

Live in Mass., and thought a good winter project might be if I could rig
up the bird bath with a solar cell and small pump.
But inexpensively.

Haven't researched small pumps for this yet, but I imagine they are
either 6 or 12 volts dc, and probably draw no more than a
few hundred ma.
Aquarium size pump should probably do it. Maybe a bit bigger.

So, am thinking that I probably only need a cell of a few watts
capability. Is this your opinion also ?

Not interested in what happens if cloudy, or re-charging a battery, or
anything like that.
When it is sunny out, and it works, then fine. When not, then not.

I am concerned about the weatherproofing of the cell.

Are there particular types that come in "weatherproof" housings ?
Or sealed "adequately" for weather ?

Would hate to go to the bother of constructing it all, and then finding
out later that the rain and/or snow, has killed the cell.

What do I need, and where should I look to purchase the cell and other
components, please ?

Any thoughts, hints, and opinions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob
 
R

Randy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bob said:
Hello,

Would be most grateful for some advice with this.

Have the typical round, pedestal base, type of bird bath on my Deck.
Didn't attract too many birds, and have been told that the reason is that
birds love bird baths that have some kind of running water, perhaps a
spray, and avoid bird baths that just have a "stagnant" pool of water, no
matter how clean.

Live in Mass., and thought a good winter project might be if I could rig
up the bird bath with a solar cell and small pump.
But inexpensively.

Haven't researched small pumps for this yet, but I imagine they are either
6 or 12 volts dc, and probably draw no more than a
few hundred ma.
Aquarium size pump should probably do it. Maybe a bit bigger.

So, am thinking that I probably only need a cell of a few watts
capability. Is this your opinion also ?

Not interested in what happens if cloudy, or re-charging a battery, or
anything like that.
When it is sunny out, and it works, then fine. When not, then not.

I am concerned about the weatherproofing of the cell.

Are there particular types that come in "weatherproof" housings ?
Or sealed "adequately" for weather ?

Would hate to go to the bother of constructing it all, and then finding
out later that the rain and/or snow, has killed the cell.

What do I need, and where should I look to purchase the cell and other
components, please ?

Any thoughts, hints, and opinions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob
Welcome
For cheap, buy a small 120v fountain pump and plug it in to a cord.
Otherwise go for a:
http://www.solar-electric.com/100-00-21.html
and a:
http://www.solar-electric.com/spm030p.html
Panels are already extensivly water proofed.
Expesive to buy, cheap to run.
Such is the story of solar PV
Take care
Randy
 
J

Jean-Marc

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bob said:
Hello,

Would be most grateful for some advice with this.

Have the typical round, pedestal base, type of bird bath on my Deck.

Maybe a water pump from a windscreen washer (junk yard?) + a 12 v panel from
ebay. Not shure what is the amp rating for the pump...
 
B

Bob F

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bob said:
Hello,

Would be most grateful for some advice with this.

Have the typical round, pedestal base, type of bird bath on my Deck.
Didn't attract too many birds, and have been told that the reason is
that birds love bird baths that have some kind of running water,
perhaps a spray, and avoid bird baths that just have a "stagnant"
pool of water, no matter how clean.

I never seen any evidence that that is true. Plenty of "stagnant" birdbaths get
activity. My father refreshes them each day, but I doubt that is necessary, as
plenty of people don't.
 
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