Solar irrigation

[Scarecrowdave]

Im going on holiday and atm I dont have anyone to water my plants in the greenhouse I saw these solar piwered irrigation systems are they any good if they do what the claim it might be a worthwhile investment

[Snoop Puss]

Can you describe the system you've seen? It might help people understand a bit better what you're after. I have a solar set-up, but it's for the whole of my patch and runs from a well. So I use solar irrigation, but I think it's probably different to what you're talking about.

[nickdub]

Depending on how your plants are set out, you might find that a simpler passive system using capillary matting would get the job done.

[sian68]

I use a solar irrigation system for 2 of my plots, mostly for use in the greenhouse and polytunnel.
the system i use is made by Irrigatia, I've been using them for about 4/5 years i think. I have 2 drip systems set up but also have a soak system but I've not used that yet. I put one end with a filter into my water bowser it has a little mesh cage over the suction bit to keep bits out this, then goes into the pump bit that has a solar panel on it then a pipe comes of that and into the greenhouse.you attach the drips bit where you want them, for me they are invaluable. The people that make them are really friendly, we met them i think it was either at the Malvern Flower show or at Hampton Court

[Scarecrowdave]

http://www.westfalia.net/shops/garde...e-jets-etc.htm

This is what i was looking at its use will be solely for the greenhouse two growbags and 7 pots

[Snoop Puss]

Hi and welcome to the Vine, Sian. Are you able to advise Scarecrowdave on his set-up? My only doubt would be the battery size, as depending on the weather there may not be much charging going on given the very small size of the panel but the plants inside the greenhouse will still need watering regardless. A battery that size will quickly be drained, I suspect. Based on your experience, are you able to give your views on that?

SCD, how long are you planning to go away for? Oh, and I should have asked: where are you based? Is it a very cloudy part of the country?

[nickdub]

You could always wire several batteries in parallel to supply extra power if you thought it wouldn't last the time you needed.

[Scarecrowdave]

Only away for 7 to 10 days but i work shifts so it could help when i couldnt get there and fyi i live in North Shields which is on coast from Newcastle

[Snoop Puss]

Nick makes a good point about wiring up batteries in parallel, but it's still a very small solar panel to charge a large total battery capacity. As my circumstances are very different, I don't want to put you off unnecessarily. I had a look at the Irrigatia website. They give very few technical spec details, but as far as I can see their system runs of three rechargeable AAA batteries. So not much capacity either.

The Irrigatia kits are more expensive than the one you are looking at. Though I see they sell spares and extension kits, so in the long run it might be a better bet. They also offer a contact address to find out more and to ask questions. Might be worth getting in touch, if only to get information off them.

My great aunt lived in the Newcastle area. I'm guessing you're not blessed with wall to wall sunshine where you are (neither am I, at least at the moment).

[sian68]

I have kept my system running all year. We use to take it up in autumn but talking to the people we got it from they told us they keep theirs out in all weathers, so that's what we've done. We haven't had to replace any batteries yet and even with minimum sun it still remains charged. We haven't had to manually water the greenhouse since we started using it. so for me its paid for itself