Solar powered water fountain. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering / Alternative energy sources

 Comments on the article

The sight and sound of running water is the most soothing, whether it be a gently babbling stream or a roaring waterfall. Nothing can compare to them.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the happiness of having their own miracle of nature. However, you can use an almost equivalent replacement.

Sung by the ancient Greeks, the sculptural fountain combines the tranquility of nature and the art of man. In our design, this harmony is manifested even more clearly: a technological innovation has been added that uses the energy of the Sun.

Fountains

Fountains can be of a wide variety of shapes and sizes - from subtle to very impressive. When we think of fountains, many of us think of the graceful figures of mythological goddesses, the fine workmanship of the great masters of the past. These are, of course, classical style fountains.

However, fountains can be very diverse in style. Nowadays, there is a trend towards creating small fountains for the patio. A wide variety of inexpensive fountains can be used, for example, in kindergartens and nurseries.

A new achievement in this area is the indoor miniature fountain, which can be placed in the corner of the room or on the table.

How the fountain works

Regardless of the type of fountain you choose, you will need the same basic components to make it. First, it is a water tank, which is usually located inside the sculpture. Secondly, a device for water circulation.

The mechanism of the fountain is very simple. It operates in a closed loop, as shown in Fig. 1. First of all, the tank is filled with water. From it, the pump supplies water through the internal water supply to the upper part of the structure, from where it freely falls down. The water cascades into the pool and the cycle repeats.

Ris.1

Since the plumbing system of the fountain is integral to its design, we will only be interested in the circulation of water and the choice of the necessary type of pump and photovoltaic power source for it.

Water pumps

Like fountains, pumps come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pumps are selected based on two characteristics. First, the amount of water that the pump can pump in a given period of time. A typical pump pumps 40 liters of liquid per minute, or 40 l/min. Secondly, the pressure under which water is supplied. Water pressure is like electrical voltage in a circuit.

Of course, water has weight (1 liter of water weighs 1 kg). Thus, if you take a vertical tube and fill it with 10 liters of water, then the total weight at the base of the tube will be 10 kg. If the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube at the base is 5 cm2, a pressure of at least 2-105 Pa (2 atm.) is required to lift this column of water.

Therefore, the pressure at the outlet end of the pump determines the height to which water can be pumped. This pressure is called hydrostatic head. The head is inversely proportional to the fluid flow rate: for example, as the head decreases, the flow rate increases.

However, you will hardly need to calculate the parameters of the pump, unless you are going to make a fountain yourself. For most prefabricated fountain designs, you can immediately select the right size pump to achieve the desired result.

When choosing a pump for your fountain, give preference to a low-voltage device. There are several reasons for this, not the least of which is to ensure safety in the interaction of water and electricity. This combination is sometimes fatal.

Experience suggests that a 12 V pump is the best. Firstly, there are many such pumps and they can be purchased at parts stores, including car dealers. Check out the section that sells windshield wipers, electric fuel pumps and water injectors.

Solar battery

Another reason to choose a 12V pump is due to the photovoltaic converters that will power it. Serially produced modules are designed to charge a 12-volt lead-acid battery. They are usually produced in sections, each with a voltage of 12 V, which is quite suitable for our purposes.

This standardization has led to the development of solar cells with a wide variety of current and power characteristics, which makes it possible to choose the required ready-made photovoltaic converter.

When using a 12-volt power supply and pump, the voltage is adjusted automatically. On the other hand, the output current of the solar panel must match the type of pump.

Ris.2

In most cases, you can find data on the consumed current on the pump housing. However, you need to know what this data means.

The current consumed by the pump is usually measured under extreme operating conditions (at maximum pressure and volume of pumped water). The current value corresponding to these conditions is indicated on the pump housing.

However, if the pump is not being used to its full potential, a lower current will suffice. True, its value is difficult to determine in advance. The following describes how to make a fountain of typical design, which will allow you to more clearly understand the problem as a whole.

Making a fountain

First, a fountain for the courtyard was ordered, for which it was necessary to purchase a pump with a capacity of 10 l / min at a pressure of 2-105 Pa (2 atm). The pump parameters were specified in the operating instructions.

Then they found a pressure pump of the same type that is used in the hydraulic systems of buses. According to its specifications, the pump provided the flow I needed at a higher (than necessary) pressure. The motor was designed for a voltage of 12 V and a current of 7 A.

After installing the pump in the fountain, it was connected to a 12 V power supply. Using an ammeter connected in series with the source, it was found that under normal conditions the pump consumes a current of 2 A. It must be borne in mind that this applies to a specific example. The design of the fountain may differ from the above, but it is necessary to act in a similar way. The consumed current turned out to be significantly less than the value of 7 A, indicated on the pump housing.

The next task was to choose a solar battery that would generate a current of 2 A at a voltage of 12 V. This was not difficult, although, of course, I wanted to focus on the most convenient design. In the end, an ASI-2000 type battery, manufactured by ARCO Solar, was chosen.

The choice turned out to be successful. In full sunlight, the pump throws out a jet of water to a height of 30-45 cm above the top of the fountain.

However, the height of the jet depends on the light conditions. When the rays of the morning sun fall on the solar panel, a small trickle appears. Although it is not so impressive, nevertheless the picture is pleasant. As noon approaches, the fountain appears in all its glory, as the photovoltaic converter generates maximum power. At sunset, the strength of the jet decreases again and, finally, the fountain stops working. It is clear that not too favorable conditions of sunlight also affect the operation of the fountain.

Due to evaporation, water must be added to the system. In general, it is not advisable for the pump to work without water, as a breakdown may occur. In winter, of course, possible freezing should be prevented.

Author: Byers T.

See other articles Section Alternative energy sources.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Major risk factor for gambling addiction 07.05.2024

Computer games are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment among teenagers, but the associated risk of gaming addiction remains a significant problem. American scientists conducted a study to determine the main factors contributing to this addiction and offer recommendations for its prevention. Over the course of six years, 385 teenagers were followed to find out what factors may predispose them to gambling addiction. The results showed that 90% of study participants were not at risk of addiction, while 10% became gambling addicts. It turned out that the key factor in the onset of gambling addiction is a low level of prosocial behavior. Teenagers with a low level of prosocial behavior do not show interest in the help and support of others, which can lead to a loss of contact with the real world and a deepening dependence on virtual reality offered by computer games. Based on these results, scientists ... >>

Traffic noise delays the growth of chicks 06.05.2024

The sounds that surround us in modern cities are becoming increasingly piercing. However, few people think about how this noise affects the animal world, especially such delicate creatures as chicks that have not yet hatched from their eggs. Recent research is shedding light on this issue, indicating serious consequences for their development and survival. Scientists have found that exposure of zebra diamondback chicks to traffic noise can cause serious disruption to their development. Experiments have shown that noise pollution can significantly delay their hatching, and those chicks that do emerge face a number of health-promoting problems. The researchers also found that the negative effects of noise pollution extend into the adult birds. Reduced chances of reproduction and decreased fertility indicate the long-term effects that traffic noise has on wildlife. The study results highlight the need ... >>

Random news from the Archive The medicine is expired - the lid does not open 17.11.2003 British engineers from the University of Salford have developed a screw cap for a jar of pills that stops opening when the medication expires. The screw thread is applied not to the neck of the jar, but to the cuff connected to the neck with a layer of gradually decomposing polymer glue. By changing the composition of the adhesive, it is possible to regulate the period of its decomposition, adjusting it to the expiration date of the medicine. If the glue has decomposed, the lid, when you try to unscrew it, simply begins to rotate freely on the neck of the jar.

Other interesting news:

▪ MSP430FG6626 - microcontroller for portable measuring devices

▪ Delivery of medicines to destination

▪ WEpod unmanned buses

▪ Ultrasound will dry the laundry

▪ Three-wheeled electric car

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ site section Field strength detectors. Article selection

▪ article Taimyr is calling you. Popular expression

▪ article What is yeast? Detailed answer

▪ article Walking on the sea. Personal transport

▪ article Liquid level indicator. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Converter with voltage doubling. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages ​​of this page

Arabic	Hebrew	Polish
Bengali	Hindi	Portuguese
Chinese	Italian	Spanish
English	Japanese	Turkish
French	Korean	Ukrainian
German	Malay	Vietnamese

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews

www.diagram.com.ua
2000-2024