The Solar Powered Pump Birdbath: How To Do it Yourself
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 pros to getting one are:
a: Fountains circulate the water, keeping the bird bath 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: It requires little power (about 6 volts) so you only need a few small solar panels.
e: The fountain usually operates during the day when the birds are out in the sun, so batteries are not essential
f: You could learn to make your own solar panels, reducing the cost even further.
g: The birdbath can be placed anywhere in your garden, without the need for unsightly wires.
What parts and materials are needed to build a solar powered pump birdbath?
The simplest option would be for you to add solar panels to an already working birdbath and fountain.
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 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:
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 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.
Thin, Flexible PVC Pipe:
This is what the water will flow through. It is best to ask your nursery about the various irrigation options. Otherwise, get ideas from finished pump powered fountains. As a rule of thumb, the PVC piping needs to be narrow to maintain enough water pressure.
Silicon Sealant:
This is one of those essentials that you should already have lying around the house. It will help seal all those joins and also protect electrics from water damage.
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 expensive solar kit from Wallmart or Target or any other local supplier.
2: Make your own solar panel. This is actually much easier than people make it out to be. With the right instructions you could build your own panel in an afternoon. If you want to go the diy way, 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?
With the right tools and parts and a the right attitude you could have a fully functional solar powered pump birdbath in an afternoons work. It really depends on your level of experience, but many of our friends (even housewives) have managed to make their own fountains.
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:
It is not vital , but if you want the battery to last longer, a charge controller will protect the battery from over-charging. It is wired from the solar panels and then to 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.
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