So some of you probably saw the aquaponics thread...I haven't ignored the replies, I'm working on it on my down time at work.
However, another project I said I would do for them is create an off-grid garden hose to water the crops. Personally, I think some sort of irrigation system would be a better idea but this guy that runs the farm wants a garden hose. Anyway, he wants it to be mobile so it can be easily moved/wheeled around to water whatever.
Now I actually already did something similar a few years back only I hooked it up to a car battery and a then ran the pump to a propane camp shower to make hot AND cold water. It was pretty nice.
This time I just need pressurized water that I can run from a big tank (the black plastic ones you see here all the time). Here's my plan...
For the transport vehicle I'm thinking one of those wagons with the large studded wheels will be easy to haul around and will have plenty of real estate for the batteries, pump, panel(s), etc.
Then I'm going to nail the pump and inverter to a piece of plywood. On the other side of the plywood will be the panels. Wire the panels to the charge controller and then to the batteries. Wire the pump to the inverter and then to the batteries. Batteries will be in those plastic battery boxes like we use on the boat to protect them from water but lets them breathe a bit. Then just screw the hose to the pump and connect the water tank to the pump.
Now that I think of it I'm wondering if a 20gal (give or take) tank should be used? That way anyone can wheel it around...well so long as they can wheel around 200lbs or so. But maybe a direct connect hose would work as previously requested.
Thoughts? Also, what solar panels am I going to need? Wattage, type, etc.? Now money isn't endless but from what the head of the project says when he asks for something he gets it from the board.
EDIT: I should also say that the space that this will need to be wheeled around is a radius of around 300 feet.
Thanks!
-Emt1581