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  1. #1

    Cool Contech ScareCrow Motion Activated Animal Deterrent

    Hey All,

    Just wondering if anyone has tried this device? I'm also curious if this can ran off a fountain/submersible pump instead of mains water.

    I have read this requires 75psi to run effectively but would be more effective if it could be used straight off pond water. Given a garden hose typical has 20L/min (1200lph). Any ideas?


    Cheers


    B



  2. #2
    There is no way that you will get 75 psi from the average koi pond filter system and any attempt to use something like this would cause a dramatic reduction in turn over anyway. A "Hippo" type fountain pump also wouldn't produce anywhere near enough pressure but there is no reason why you couldn't use a separate submersible pump provided that you checked the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that it would produce the required pressure. Then it all comes down to whether you think the initial cost of a powerful pump and the running cost worth it.

  3. #3
    Thank you for your reply. Using a submersible would be ok but you would have to be very conscious that this system (Scare Crow) may not activate unless something has been detected. Thus, deadheading the pump is a possibility?

    My initial thought on the cost would be reasonable verses the cost of replacing Koi worth £1000's seeing how effect this is on YouTube etc.







    B

  4. #4
    If by deadheading the pump you mean that it will be running against a closed valve and therefore have no throughflow then this would be a bad situation.

    If the pump was not submersible, i.e. dry mounted, then the water in it would get hot because of the friction caused by the impeller. I've seen the pipework connected to pumps in this situation deform and rupture and some even have caused the pipe to explode as the water boiled and the steam had nowhere to escape until the pipe burst.

    This would probably not happen to such an extent with a submersible pump because of the cooling effect of the surrounding water but the water in the pump could still get hot enough to damage the internal seal.

    There are two ways round this situation:

    If the PIR that controls the scarecrow has an additional contact that could control external equipment then you could use that to switch the pump on and off via a suitable relay/contactor. This would be the cheapest option but I would guess that this won't be the case.

    The second would mean buying a pump with a built in pressure switch that allows it to run and build up pressure but then switches if off until something on the output (your scarecrow) uses the pressure and the pump switches back on until it stops using the water. The pressure then builds up and it switches off again and waits until the next activation. These types of pumps are available but come at a cost.

  5. #5
    Hello,

    Yes, a built in pressure switch would be the way to go I believe, especially if you have a pond some distance away from the house, rendering house pressure useless from a hose pipe and overall length which would reduce pressure at the business end.

    I believe this product has potential for being ran from the pond but it would be difficult to find a submersible pump for the psi required, i.e. most pumps are much higher than this. As you stated with a pressure switch this will bump the price up if one could be sourced for the specs required.

    Thank you for your opinion and feedback.

    B

 

 

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