Water Feature

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Oriphix

523 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

#115055 12-Mar-2013 13:20

Hi All,

Anyone tried making there own water feature before? I was thinking on making one myself and be a bit unique then to buy something that's already made.

Can't decide between the electric pump or the solar ones. The problem with the solar ones (found on trademe) is that when the sun isn't there it stops.

So I guess I would need to run cable outside or something.

Has anyone ever made one themselves? Any feed back would be good. Thanks

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#778733 12-Mar-2013 18:44

Have not done it, but will. And it will be solar charging a battery. And just to be different, it will be a LiFePO4 battery (what Boeing should have used for safety instead of only focussing on manufacturing cost and fuel cost). Start with a cheap 12V bilge pump, much better than a pond pump and cheap. It is easy enough to run a 12V power adapter, or a solar panel. For solar you should use a battery anyway, else you will be far off the optimum power point and get low performance.

You can never have enough Volvos!

qyiet

454 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 94

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#785009 21-Mar-2013 14:41

Helped build my parents one with a solar panel. They had a pond with a little rockfall+stream. It has been running for years with no maintenance since we built it. It flowed great when the sun was on, and pretty much stopped when a cloud came over.

I didn't feel it detracted from the feature though, it just meant it gurgled and splashed more when the sun came out, but I guess it depends on the design you are going for.

Warning: reality may differ from above post