SOLAR WATERING SYSTEMS

Maintaining a source of continuous drinking water for cattle and horses can be an issue in cold climates and in areas where stiffer environmental regulations require livestock to remain away from brooks, streams and rivers. This automated, solar-powered system is simple to install and a trouble-free way to maintain a supply of clean drinking water for your stock.

The Solar Winter Watering system is the perfect solution for watering cattle, horses or other farm animals in the winter. Solar energy is captured by the sun and charges a battery which pumps water into the watering bowl only when animals are near the bowl. A motion-detecting electric eye starts the water pump when animals approach the bowl and their movement is detected. When the animals have had enough to drink and have moved away from the bowl the water drains back down into the well below the freezing line thus preventing freeze-up of the bowl.

Bowl sizes are 24" and 36" in diameter and are Roto molded which eliminates corrosion and rusting. The simplest option uses an existing surface well or pond and a trenched gravity fed water line. The first step is to dig in your 24" wide by 16' deep culvert (or 36" wide if you use the larger bowl for watering more animals). Then trench in a 2" poly line from the pond to act as the gravity feed. The diagram below explains this setup.

Another option is using an existing well as a water source for the remote watering system. A float switch in the watering basin, or a pitless adopter in the casing, assures proper and controlled levels for efficient watering. This system will also eliminate the problem of contaminated water. By using this approach you are not limited in the placement of your watering system for horses, cattle or any animals.



Notes:
- Have your automatic watering system sized correctly for the number of animals you wish to water so you avoid complete power loss from drained batteries.
- Set the system in open areas away from shelter so the animals will drink and leave and not linger near the motion detector and possibly waste power.
- Feed animals as far from the bowl as possible so no extra feed or debris falls into the bowl or casing.
- Do not drain water back into well source to prevent contamination of your water.

Winter Watering System in operation

This picture from the Western Beef Development Center shows a winter setup of the solar water system. The farm is the Termuende Farm in Lannigan, Sask.

The watering system is being used in over 300 different locations across Western Canada from Southern Manitoba to North of Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

The performance of the solar watering system has been excellent and consistant even in extreme weather and temperatures hitting minus 40 degrees celsius.

The system in this picture is for watering 130 animals and is powered by 3 - 64 Watt Panels, and 4 Trojan T105 220 Amp/Hr Batteries.

Advantages of the solar powered winter watering system

• Non Freezing: All water drains back to source eliminating the possibility of freezing.
• No Repairs: Burn out or repairs are not a concern because this system is designed without heating elements and adjustable controls
• Servicing: Very basic system with no moving parts. The water bowl is easily removed allowing access to the pump.
• Earth's Resources: As the temperature below the frost line is typically around 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees F), the culvert acts as a heat tube allowing the warmer air to rise preventing freeze up.
• Variable Installations: The Winter Water Bowl may be used with pumps ranging from 3 GPM to 10 GPM. It can be easily hooked up to the water supply.
• No Operating Costs: Solar powered watering system requires only batteries and the sun's energy to continuously recharge them so there are no additional electrical costs! Ideal for remote locations.
• Roto Molded Water Bowl: Durable 24" roto molded water bowl eliminates corrosion and rusting. The bowl sits on a 24" casing.
  
  
  

SOLAR POWERED
INSULATED DRINKING TROUGH


This system uses an insulated water bowl which allows watering throughout the year even in extremely cold winter conditions. A low angle float switch ensures that the trough is almost always full which, along with the insulated bowl, helps keep the water from freezing.

The water in the insulated winter watering system keeps from freezing due to the internal heat capacity of the water from the surface well. Ground water is typically between 3.5 and 8.5 degrees Celsius A 150 gallon trough of this water from the well will actually contain 12,000 BTU of heat energy and the water in a 400 gallon trough holds 36,000 BTU of heat energy. It is this natural heat energy in water that allows this solar operated watering system to function in even the most frigid conditions.

These photographs show a system operating on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada which was installed in October 2002. The first winter, in January 2003, the temperature remained at -35 Celsius (-31 F) for 14 days in a row but the system did not freeze up.



This particular system brought water from a 60 foot deep well using 4 solar panels and 4 batteries. The submersible pump had a 3.5 GPM recovery rate. This installation used a 430 gallon trough with 3 patent pending drink tubes. This particular system cost in the range of $6000 CAD. Smaller versions are available.

Please contact us for sizing and pricing details.




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