Solar sprinkler system

Hey all, I am in need of a small (4 station) solar powered automatic sprinkler system that is reasonably priced. I have been unable to find any sources or plans for such a setup. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, TnT

Reply to
Thomas Cooper
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Sprinklers run on 24v DC. I don't see any advantage of using solar power.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Unless you're off the grid.

Reply to
Jangchub

Where does the water come from if you are off the grid?

Reply to
Vox Humana

Plenty of people have their own wells.

In many countries, power outages are a daily fact of life. In the US, many people who live on farm lands, lose power everytime it rains.

A buddy of mine grew up on a ranch, every major storm they'd lose power for a few days because the utilities fixed the power problems in the city first. They'd run the generator for a few hours to power the well pump and a few lights and stuff around the house, the hot water heater and the cooking was all on propane, the house was heated by a wood stove. Septic system took care of the sewer.

-S

Reply to
Snooze

A well.

Reply to
Jangchub

Don't you need electric to power the pump?

Reply to
Vox Humana

That's what generators and solar power systems are for....

Reply to
Wolf Kirchmeir

Oh, I thought that the OP simply wanted to avoid using a transformer to run the valves. You seem to believe that he wants to run the entire system, well pump and all, from a solar panel. I think the cost would be very high and one wonders what is being irrigated by such a system. Does the OP want a power source at each valve or is the power going to be distributed through wires to the vales?

Reply to
Vox Humana

I don't know what he wants, but a solar power system to power a house is getting within range of many home owners. One to power a well and sprinkler system would be much smaller, and thus relatively cheap.

As with all such installations, pay-back times are "conservatively" estimated. I wish I had put a ground-effect heat-pump into my house when I built it 25 years ago. The payback time was estimated at 25 years. In fact, it would have paid for itself in about 15 years, at the rate energy prices were and are increasing. I might still install one, since the major cost would be drilling the holes into the ground, and if (as I expect) we hit water a mere 25 feet down or so, they won't have to be very deep. In real terms, such installations are cheaper now than 25 years ago, too.

Not too far away from here, only an hour or so into the bush, an acquaintance runs his whole house off a solar system. Heats with wood, cooks with wood and bottled gas. Last time I was out there, he was experimenting with a water turbine to drive a generator. His test installation generated 5KW, a respectable amount. He figures he could easily generate 10-15KW with his water source, which is a small lake on a plateau about 80 feet above his house. He would use less than half the regular outflow.

Fact is, a typical suburban house has more than enough roof surface to power a solar system for lights, TV, computer, and refrigerator. In many areas of the country, solar water heating is feasible, too. (My sister and bro-in-law in central Calif. have been heating their water with solar for nigh on twenty years. They replaced the original green vinyl water pipe this fall. When first installed, the water was too hot - they ahd to install a mixing valve to keep the water at a safe temperature, and that valve was the priciest part of their system.)

HTH

Reply to
Wolf Kirchmeir

the original poster didn't provide enough information to make any meaningful conclusions, solar powered valves? solar powered controller? solar powered pump?

-S

Reply to
Snooze

I guess I was taking a round-about way of pointing that out.

Reply to
Vox Humana

You make a lot of good points. I guess that I don't see how you could save much money running an irrigation system on solar power. Maybe there is some demanding installation where the system is used for hours on end. My lawn system is on for an hour a week, if that, and only for about three or four months a year. The time to recover my investment in solar power generation for that system would be measured in centuries.

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Reply to
Vox Humana

Um, this could be why the person asked for a solar sprinkler system. Chances are, if off the grid, their energized using solar and or wind. Just a bit of thinking out of the box'ull do ya.

Reply to
Jangchub

The OP asked for " ... a small (4 station) solar powered automatic sprinkler system that is reasonably priced.

To me that means a controller and maybe four valves. I guess you could assume that it could be just about anything once you are outside the box.

Reply to
Vox Humana

I"m starting to think this is a really stupid thread, the original poster has disappeared and not provided any further clarifying information.

Anyways, since we're now giving wild guesses, how about we a nuclear powered dehumidifier to extract the water from the air, then we can distribute that water through a series of high pressure misters, eliminating the need for a plumbing system.

-S

Reply to
Snooze

I'm with you on this. I always wonder why people ask questions and then disappear. Unfortunately, the most likely conclusion is that they are trolling.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Not necessarily. Many times people forget they posted where they did and don't return. Maybe the OP did a search and found what her or she was looking for. That's why I just give simple answers. If the OP comes back with further questions, they I dig around and get more specific. It is always interested to see the anger or nastiness come out, though.

Reply to
Jangchub

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