Bird bath auto fill & recycle with timer & float level - Part 1

[AlanM52]

This bird bath uses a programmable timer to top-up the water level recycled from a storage container.

It also features pump run dry protection and a water level indicator.

Materials

• Bird bath
• Mini DC12V Micro Brushless Water Circulating 240L/H 5W Lift 3M 0~100℃
• Float Sensor Switch Side Mount Water Level Sensor Controller Pump
• Timer Switch, CN101A, DC/AC 12V 16Amp, Digital LCD

Tools

• Ozito PXC 18V Cordless 10mm Compact Drill Driver PXCDK-150 - Kit (0049052)
• Craftright 99 Piece Titanium Coated Drill Bit Set (0019576)
• Ryobi 8 Piece Forstner Bit Set (0354517)
• Trojan 600mm Box Level (0423739)
• Craftright 500mm Hand Saw (0490022)
• Craftright 66 Piece Tool Kit (6111030)

Steps

Step 1

  

Assemble the bird bath and decide on the location.
I picked this raised garden bed so the water container was down below mostly out of sight.

Step 2

    
Water Outlet: Drill the hole for the water outlet and install the irrigation fitting. Refer to Notes.

Step 3

  

Levelling:The bird bath needs to be levelled with a slight fall towards the outlet or else it will overflow through the rim holes. In my case because of plant roots there was no room for pavers or a concrete slab so I use a BBQ plate sitting on a bed of gravel which worked out well and easier to shim the plate to get that fall towards then outlet. Keep in mind whatever the base foundation is it will cop of lot of water.

Note that the location of the outlet irrigation fitting is just below the bottom of the decorative rim holes.

Step 4

Run Dry Float Switch: Hold a length of pine timber against the inside of the bucket so it is sitting on the bottom and mark the top edge - cut off.Using a spade bit drill a hole at one end and mount the float switch. Position in the bucket and secure the top end with a small bracket and screws.

Step 5

Part 2 of the project can be found here - https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Outdoor/Bird-bath-autofill-amp-recycle-with-timer-amp-float-...

[AlanM52]

This bird bath uses a programmable timer to top-up the water level recycled from a storage container.

It also features pump run dry protection and a water level indicator.

[EricL]

Hello @AlanM52 

Thank you so much for sharing the details of your automated bird bath refill system. It's certainly a great way to keep the bird bath toped up! 

Eric

[Dave-1]

Afternnoon @AlanM52 

Nice idea and love the process you have. Definenlt like the idea of the bath being topped up as birds tend to not care about splashing about and getting rid of the water lol.

Looking forward to seeing stage 2 .

Dave

[AlanM52]

Thanks... still coming to grips with the system. I started Part 2 and went back the next day to continue and it disappeared?

I will adopt the same procedure that I use for Facebook and my other blogs, enter text into Notepad + + and do the copy & paste thing.

Cheers

[Dave-1]

Evening @AlanM52 

I have missplaced a project once as well. Its generally in the drafts section but hiccups do happen. I have several machines I work from over a day so I have used the drafts to my advantage, I work. Then go to another location and PC and go back to my page and at the bottom of it all the "drafts" are waiting. Sometimes I go through and clean up as it has saved a draft midway through my posting. 

Dave