Building a Fodder Watering System:

Part One, The Proofing Attack

Why We Needed a Watering System

My wife and I have been talking about growing fodder for rabbit food.  We saw where there is fancy, overpriced growing units that aren’t for us.  The problem is the fodder needs water several times per day and my wife will probably get wrapped up in the computer and really won’t want to go out in the heat to handle this.  So, she tasked me with designing a self-sufficient system.  In all fairness, I don’t want to go out in the heat of the day either. 

Seems, for so long, I was working and she would have stuff like that she needed to do, so it was easy for me to talk trash like that and get away with it.  Them days are about gone. 

Anyway, I designed a Proofing Attack and an Off-Grid Attack.  The Proofing Attack is to prove the sprinkler system will work, and the Off-Grid Attack is for the permanent off-grid sprinkler system.

The Proofing Attack

The Proofing Attack is setting up a simple unit, using community water.  The garden hose we have running out to the greenhouse will work fine.  I added another splitter on it to connect to another hose.  Inside the greenhouse, Mrs. Bone created a growing rack for the fodder. You can find out more about the fodder rack here. 

Putting the System Together

I took a slide clamp and drilled a couple of holes in the blade and riveted a corner brace on it to hold the programmable timer solenoid plumb.  With that and some wire ties, it seems stable enough for proofing.   I went from the timer to the shrub sprinkler using ½-inch PEX.  The irrigation unit was designed to be completely removable from the growing rack for convenience purposes.

Testing the Sprinkler

We got the timer programmed and gave it a go. After adjusting the sprinkler head and the hose splitter valve, I feel pretty good about the process.

What Comes Next: The Off-Grid Attack

Once we try and prove this attack, I will begin again with the Off-Grid Attack.  With this attack, there will be no community water except to fill a fish aquarium.  I have purchased a drill pump, a 12VDC rechargeable drill, a 12VDC timer, a 12VDC battery, a check valve, and a 12VDC 7-watt solar panel.  I will build a box to house the drill, pump, battery, DIN rail, and timer.  Four times per day, the timer will come on for 5 to 10 minutes to energize the 12VDC drill and run the pump, pumping the fish-poop-rich water from the tank to the fodder. The hose timer will be removed, and the PEX line will come straight from the drill pump to the sprinkler.   This proposed method may have to have alterations, for this is a plan and not a promise.

We have video and pics of the Proofing Attack results, but I will give pics, videos, and parts list for the Off-Grid Attack blog. 

Come see the process and results in Part Two!  I am always open to suggestions and discussion.  We may all learn something from this.