I sized my solar panel to my pond pump. The pump is a brushless motor pump which uses 54 watts max and can pump a head of 33 feet. My solar panel is 100 watts and runs the pump well (even a little on cloudy days) and better yet when the panel is facing the sun.
Initially I wanted to track the sun and I was hoping to make a water/drip powered solar tracker, but I ran into issues at certain angles with my design. Here’s some pictures of that:
I abandoned the above project for something I can just turn by hand. Here it is:
If I can use rope and knots in a project, I probably will. This panel is suspended and adjusted by paracord and friction hitches. Here’s some pics of the build:
So, I’m playing around with a gravity fed Aquaponics bed. Most ebb and flow systems I’ve seen use either a bell siphon, or an electric/mechanical timer. This idea is a little different, it uses a Shishi-odoshi (“scaredeer”) or sōzu to start a siphon which drains a 5 gallon bucket of water into a grow bed. The timer is governed by the flow of water into the scaredeer (the 2 liter bottle).
Some background:
I have a fish pond, a rain barrel and a gravity fed water timer. The rain barrel is 10 foot off the ground and a solar powered pump replenishes the barrel with pond water while the sun is out (like a water tower). The barrel, in turn, drains into my water timer overnight and on super cloudy days.
The aim of the timer is to be able to slow down the water flow as much as needed and not worry about stalling the siphon or fully draining rain barrel.
Since making the video (see below), I’ve switched to rattail cord which is a little thicker and handles better. I’ve decided to offer it as a handmade product, and I’m willing to make some for those who are interested. The lines can shackle objects up to 7ft away. This picture shows the black rattail line and the carabiner (bamboo pole not included). There are a dozen lines in all. Two of the lines are shackling plants to the left and right of the pole. Cost is $50.00 USD plus shipping if it’s outrageous. You are welcome to throw money my way here: http://paypal.me/ShaunMoen and email me your address/information to shaun@dittyjamz.com.
The video supports HD. Select it if you have it :)
I’m currently growing Florida Everglades tomatoes which I let grow a bit too long without any supports. At first I ran some lines horizontal and tried to prop them up by hand. It worked, but I ended up breaking a few branches which I didn’t like. After some thought, I came up the idea shown in the video.
As a bonus, I was able to use some old music of mine for a sound track.
This idea hasn’t stood the test of time yet but here’s my thinking for benefits:
* Flexibility and reach
* Adjustability
* Reusability
* Small foot print
* Quick strapping and release
Sliding hitch and Shackle tied in larger rope
Here are some interesting links:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BxxLD1TT4NI
