Watering Cattle from a Pond

[Cougsfan]

My friend has a solar powered water pump similar to this that she uses for a waterfall in her fish pond.

https://www.amazon.com/AEO-Solar-Water-Pump-KIT/dp/B07NQZMWRD/ref=asc_df_B07NQZMWRD?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80264466333847&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863993115826&th=1

You could let it run all the time with an overflow going back to the pond.

 

[JethroB]

My friend has a solar powered water pump similar to this that she uses for a waterfall in her fish pond.

https://www.amazon.com/AEO-Solar-Water-Pump-KIT/dp/B07NQZMWRD/ref=asc_df_B07NQZMWRD?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80264466333847&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863993115826&th=1

You could let it run all the time with an overflow going back to the pond.

Great suggestion, but Check the head in feet from the pond to the trough. These fountain systems seem to be limited to 3-7 foot rise (elevation) depending on model.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I assume lake has an overflow and creek? If so check out hydraulic rams. They pump using water flow, no electricity, you can make one out of PVC and valves or buy them.

 

[jyoutz]

If cattle or horses are allowed into a pond it will be destroyed, the banks caved in and muck and mud along the edges and it will get shallower and shallower till it's just one big muck hole.
Unless you have some kind of hard bottomed self cleaning pond and I haven't seen any of those.

True, but is an option to leave a small break in the fence, so the cattle can only access a small portion of the pond.

 

[Creamer]

I would use a larger than necessary tank to hold enough water for a few days and use a solar powered pump with a float level switch on it and discard the extra electricity. Very simple to set up. Just the tank and panels with a small pump and a switch like most watering systems have.

For tank you need something very durable - I suggest a large used tire with one side cut out on a concrete pad. That way when the water level is down and the cattle are pushing each other for it they will not damage the tank. A little more money to start but your worries should be over.

 

[Spike56]

Depending on the required amount of water needed.A small solar pump running continuously with an overflow line from the trough back to the pond??

Or else a small windmill set up as above.

Yes, the small solar pump is what I was considering. Was asking if anyone has done this and if so, what they're setup / experience has been. It would be helpful to determine what company they may have purchased from also. There is a lot of low quality/junk out there.
But, a trough with and overflow back is exactly what I was considering.

 

[Spike56]

My neighbor has two remote solar powered water pumps. Up out of two old hand dug wells and into water troughs. So... I know the necessary hardware is available.

BTW - you should also consider how you will get the cows to convert from the pond to the new trough. They may just prefer the old pond.

Yeah, it is sort of a gamble. But, cattle are generally LAZY and will take the path of least resistance. Given my site, where I would put the water trough, I do not believe there would be a problem?

 

[Spike56]

You need numbers.

How many gallons a day do you need?

How much sunshine can you expect? Duration and frequency? Maximum duration without sun?
How much pumped water storage is there, to hold over, between sunshine pumping events?

Without a battery, you need to pump and store all the water needed for that duration until next sun event.
I think it means a larger pump and more solar panels are required for short pumping durations. It also means that excess solar beyond what is required to fill the tank is discarded….unless pumped water is stored.

I think storing excess solar energy (either as “pumped water” or in a battery) and making a smaller pump flow for a longer time duration is more practical.

It’s like pulling a 5 ton trailer (1250 gallons) up a hill. You might need 400hp if you want to do it in 60 seconds, but a 1/2 hp motor will also do if you have all day.

Have not yet given serious consideration to the number of gallons through. Likely in the range 250/500. How much sunshine? I am in Texas, usually all day every day!
It is NOT a problem even if the trough went dry. This would be supplemental water and the far side of the pond would NOT be blocked off. So, other water would be available. Given this I do not think I would want a battery or tank to store water ?

 

[Spike56]

I assume lake has an overflow and creek? If so check out hydraulic rams. They pump using water flow, no electricity, you can make one out of PVC and valves or buy them.

No creek. This is a damn across a ravine and mostly zero water out-flow. When there is, well, it's usually a flood.

 

[Spike56]

I would use a larger than necessary tank to hold enough water for a few days and use a solar powered pump with a float level switch on it and discard the extra electricity. Very simple to set up. Just the tank and panels with a small pump and a switch like most watering systems have.

For tank you need something very durable - I suggest a large used tire with one side cut out on a concrete pad. That way when the water level is down and the cattle are pushing each other for it they will not damage the tank. A little more money to start but your worries should be over.

Have a resource for parts / supplies? Wanted to use the learning from anyone who has done this.

 

[Spike56]

I would use a larger than necessary tank to hold enough water for a few days and use a solar powered pump with a float level switch on it and discard the extra electricity. Very simple to set up. Just the tank and panels with a small pump and a switch like most watering systems have.

For tank you need something very durable - I suggest a large used tire with one side cut out on a concrete pad. That way when the water level is down and the cattle are pushing each other for it they will not damage the tank. A little more money to start but your worries should be over.

>> I suggest a large used tire with one side cut out on a concrete pad
I would probably fence off 3 sides of the tank / trough to protect the overflow/drain and or float as other use here if they have a water well ?

 

[EddieWalker]

I was looking into getting a solar powered pump to fill a water tank to water my garden, but I couldn't get enough power out of a solar powered pump to make it work for me. During my search, I found all sorts of examples where the solar cell is wired directly to the pump, and as soon as the sun rises, and the solar cell starts generating electricity, the pump starts pumping water. When the sun sets, or if it's cloudy, the pump stops pumping. Systems like this are very common in third world countries. No battery is ever used.

Amazon has this for $180 that might work, but I'd probably look for something a little bigger because you want to lift the water 10 feet. The more you lift the water, the more power you need. If you reduce the amount of lift, you might get away with something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Solariver-Solar-Water-Pump-Kit/dp/B01F4MKBBG?th=1

 

[ponytug]

If the cattle have water alternatives, yes, I would skip the storage tank / batteries. I would have a look around for used solar panels. They are cheaper, and still have life left I them.

All the best, Peter

 

[Creamer]

Have a resource for parts / supplies? Wanted to use the learning from anyone who has done this.

Wish I did but I hae ont doe it myself. I have heard of a few people who have done it but now I have to remember who they were.

 

[34Willys]

RPS solar well pump systems. Ponytug gave you a link in the first reply.
We have the 400V system. At full sun, I've measured 12+ gpm at about 10' head. You could put a level sensor in the trough and the pump will shut off. Very versitile and customizable. We installed ours here in Oregon a year ago last October and it has performed flawless. We ordered the 'turn-key' option and were able to install in one day, after setting the pipe stand for the panels.
Even on cloudy days, the pump delivers water to our storage tank.
Livestock remote watering is their specialty.
Customer and tech support is in country and awesome.
Highly recommend them for what you need.
Patrick

 

[Spike56]

RPS solar well pump systems. Ponytug gave you a link in the first reply.
We have the 400V system. At full sun, I've measured 12+ gpm at about 10' head. You could put a level sensor in the trough and the pump will shut off. Very versitile and customizable. We installed ours here in Oregon a year ago last October and it has performed flawless. We ordered the 'turn-key' option and were able to install in one day, after setting the pipe stand for the panels.
Even on cloudy days, the pump delivers water to our storage tank.
Livestock remote watering is their specialty.
Customer and tech support is in country and awesome.
Highly recommend them for what you need.
Patrick

Patrick,
Thanks. Matter of fact I have contacted RPS solar. I have a previously drilled (by an oil company) 6" cased well. For this project, I have considered another solar pump primarily for cattle water. This is far from the pond where I am also considering a solar pump from the pond to up the bank through. I cannot do both projects due to $$. I have yet to understand what the water pickup would be for the pond to water trough and how this would be installed and work as the pond (here in Texas) levels can change quite a bit. I'd imagine there is some type of float you would use?
Pumping from the well, which is a lot closer to the house, would allow me to keep an eye on things and perhaps draw some small amounts of water for other uses. For this project, seems RPS has a nice turn-key solution/s. I am a slow "over-thinker." which means I do not rush into projects. So, while an RPS system looks promising I am still thinking about all the associated things I would need to complete.
Thanks for the response. What if anything did you have to do for freezing weather?

 

[JethroB]

Patrick,
Thanks. Matter of fact I have contacted RPS solar. I have a previously drilled (by an oil company) 6" cased well. For this project, I have considered another solar pump primarily for cattle water. This is far from the pond where I am also considering a solar pump from the pond to up the bank through. I cannot do both projects due to $$. I have yet to understand what the water pickup would be for the pond to water trough and how this would be installed and work as the pond (here in Texas) levels can change quite a bit. I'd imagine there is some type of float you would use?
Pumping from the well, which is a lot closer to the house, would allow me to keep an eye on things and perhaps draw some small amounts of water for other uses. For this project, seems RPS has a nice turn-key solution/s. I am a slow "over-thinker." which means I do not rush into projects. So, while an RPS system looks promising I am still thinking about all the associated things I would need to complete.
Thanks for the response. What if anything did you have to do for freezing weather?

A heavy walled UV resistant 5 gallon jug for a float should do the trick. Anchor it to the bottom so it doesn’t drift around and suspend your intake pipe in between. This type setup is what is used for pond irrigation pipe intakes around here.

 

[Borane4]

No one has mentioned a hydraulic ram pump. I believe it is required that you pump up hill with this powerless system. You prime it once and it sets up a resonance to continue pumping water uphill. The low volume is either drank by cows or returned back to the pond. Stoney Ridge Farms on YT has videos.

Amazon.com

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

No one has mentioned a hydraulic ram pump. I believe it is required that you pump up hill with this powerless system. You prime it once and it sets up a resonance to continue pumping water uphill. The low volume is either drank by cows or returned back to the pond. Stoney Ridge Farms on YT has videos.

Amazon.com

I did #23. It won't work for him.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Have you talked to your county extension agent.