OFF THE GRIDOFF THE GRIDProperty Irrigation SystemProperty Irrigation System

Alex ChepeskaAlex Chepeska

OutlineOutline

Project ObjectiveProject Objective BackgroundBackground Design DecisionsDesign Decisions Analysis and TestingAnalysis and Testing ResultsResults Implications and Implications and

Future Future RecommendationsRecommendations

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Design irrigation system for remote areas of Design irrigation system for remote areas of property with sparse waterproperty with sparse water

Automate system Automate system Must run without access to conventional powerMust run without access to conventional power Modify existing designModify existing design Increase functionality Increase functionality Manufacture using readily available materialsManufacture using readily available materials Low costLow cost ““Do-it-yourself” kit Do-it-yourself” kit

Previous SystemPrevious System

Springs along stream served as water sourceSprings along stream served as water source Pump at each spring Pump at each spring As output decreases more pumps addedAs output decreases more pumps added 4 years of dry summers + 4 springs + 8 pumps =60 GPH4 years of dry summers + 4 springs + 8 pumps =60 GPH

Current SystemCurrent System

4000 sq. ft. garden space4000 sq. ft. garden space 6 foot well producing 120 6 foot well producing 120

GPHGPH 4 pumps deliver water up 4 pumps deliver water up

12 feet to crops12 feet to crops Distributed via drip Distributed via drip

irrigationirrigation Solar panels to charge Solar panels to charge

12v batteries12v batteries Requires 2491 Requires 2491

gallons/weekgallons/week

ProblemsProblems

Clogging pumps and tubingClogging pumps and tubing When system is off water flows backward When system is off water flows backward

into wellinto well Well produces 1/5 of the pumps capacityWell produces 1/5 of the pumps capacity Weather limits solar panel useWeather limits solar panel use Pumps consume extra amps when Pumps consume extra amps when

batteries are fullbatteries are full Abundant water overflows stationsAbundant water overflows stations

Possible ConceptsPossible Concepts

FUNCTION

Prevent clogging of pumps

only operates with full well dig deeper well find new well location

Automate

Easily maintained

Charge batteries

Repell mosquitos from resevoir

Prevent clogging of tubing

Prevent backflow into well

Utilize all of pump's capacity

Prevent overflow when water abundant

more powerful pumps tighter seals and screened output

backflow valves

CONCEPTS

screen filter around pumps cover pumps completely

overflow resevoir

timer valves/float valves/windmill windmill charges battery/rest is manual windmill/central control box

alarm when full automatic shutdown

use windmill to charge extra batteries

weatherproof/leave up in the winterlightweight/easy to teardown

more solar panels

screen over resevoir cover completely

Provides correct voltage automatic voltage reduction more powerful pumps

Design Concept 2:Design Concept 2:

Completely covered pumps, covered Completely covered pumps, covered reservoir, tighter seals and screened reservoir, tighter seals and screened irrigation output, backflow valves, full well irrigation output, backflow valves, full well operation, automatic shutdown, operation, automatic shutdown, windmill/central control box, windmill/central control box, weatherproofed for winter, windmill weatherproofed for winter, windmill charges extra batteries, 110v pumpcharges extra batteries, 110v pump

Other Design DecisionsOther Design Decisions

FMEAFMEA

Design for X analysisDesign for X analysis ManufactureManufacture AssemblyAssembly MaintenanceMaintenance RecyclingRecycling

WindmillWindmill

TypeType SizeSize BladesBlades PermitsPermits

Windmill BaseWindmill Base

1/8” angle iron1/8” angle iron 12’ in height12’ in height Triangular shapeTriangular shape Setup instructionsSetup instructions 20-6’ sections 20-6’ sections

Windmill BladesWindmill Blades

PVCPVC Home made Home made

constructionconstruction Cut into quartersCut into quarters

GeneratorGenerator

Home MadeHome Made AlternatorAlternator Permanent magnet Permanent magnet

generatorgenerator

Pump SelectionPump Selection

110v Sump Pump110v Sump Pump Inverted from 12v Inverted from 12v

batterybattery $70-$80$70-$80 Replaces multiple 12v Replaces multiple 12v

pumpspumps

ReservoirReservoir

Sold at many storesSold at many stores Easy to maintainEasy to maintain Under $50Under $50 Screen or full coverScreen or full cover

Automation ControlAutomation Control

Backflow Backflow prevention valveprevention valve

Auto shutoffAuto shutoff Rain sensorRain sensor Control boxControl box

Material ListMaterial List

Material quantity price total110 v pump 1 78.59 78.59resevoir pool 1 49.99 49.99automatic shutoff 1 16.49 16.49Backflow preventer 1 2.79 2.79Power inverter 1 35 35tubing approx. 100 yds 20 20angle iron (6' sections) 24 5 120PVC 5 feet 10 1012v batteries 8 40 320Magnet generator 1 150 150

802.86

TestingTesting

ResultsResults

GPM = (HP*2178) / Feet of headGPM = (HP*2178) / Feet of head

= (1/6*2178) / 12= (1/6*2178) / 12

= = 30.25 GPM30.25 GPM

Pump ran for 30 minutesPump ran for 30 minutes

So ….→ 30.25 GPM * 30 minutes = So ….→ 30.25 GPM * 30 minutes = 907.5 907.5 gallons pumpedgallons pumped

Plan for 12,000 sq. ft. * 1” per week= 1000 Plan for 12,000 sq. ft. * 1” per week= 1000 cubic feetcubic feet

1000 * 7.48 gal./cubic foot = 7,480 gallons1000 * 7.48 gal./cubic foot = 7,480 gallons 1 battery can pump 907.5 gallons1 battery can pump 907.5 gallons

7,480 / 907.5 = 7,480 / 907.5 = 8.24 batteries per week8.24 batteries per week

Battery UsageBattery Usage

Average Wind powerAverage Wind power

Windmill Charge TimeWindmill Charge Time

6 foot diameter Blades6 foot diameter Blades Ave wind speed = 10 mphAve wind speed = 10 mph

Windmill Charge TimeWindmill Charge Time

This gives approximately 51 Watts outputThis gives approximately 51 Watts output 50 W/ 12v *24 Hrs= 50 W/ 12v *24 Hrs= 100 amp-hrs of charge100 amp-hrs of charge

Batteries require 75 amp-hours to fully chargeBatteries require 75 amp-hours to fully charge

50 W/ 12v * X hrs = 75 amp-hours50 W/ 12v * X hrs = 75 amp-hours X= X= 18 hours to charge 1 battery18 hours to charge 1 battery

ImplicationsImplications

Find way to charge/discharge all batteries Find way to charge/discharge all batteries in successionin succession

Lead-Acid batteries maintain voltage when Lead-Acid batteries maintain voltage when deaddead

Parallel setupParallel setup One way diodeOne way diode

ConclusionsConclusions

Input spreadsheet with recommended Input spreadsheet with recommended specificationsspecifications

Can be applied to any size Can be applied to any size property/budgetproperty/budget

Feasible, but needs more physical testingFeasible, but needs more physical testing

Do-It-Yourself KitDo-It-Yourself Kit

SpreadsheetSpreadsheet Windmill building instructionsWindmill building instructions Windmill blade creation instructionsWindmill blade creation instructions Recommended productsRecommended products Entire system assembly instructionsEntire system assembly instructions

Future RecommendationsFuture Recommendations

Generator Generator constructionconstruction

Different windmill Different windmill designsdesigns

Fully constructed Fully constructed system and testingsystem and testing

QuestionsQuestions