Self powered waterfalls

[Fredman]

I know nothing about water or solar power. But, I was thinking about putting in a small waterfalls in my yard(self powered). The area would be about 40 X 60, in the middle would be a pavilion, the water would flow around both sides. I was thinking about on the high end there would be a tank 3 X 30 and then the water would come out of that and go through a paddle wheel, which in turn would drive a generator to supply the power to run the pump, to pump the water back to the tank. Any ideas, is this possible?

 

[Shane]

This thread probably fits in the green room a little better. But yes your plan sounds feasible. Unless you want the top tank for a pool effect or something it probably wouldn't be necessary. My little brother is a pro pond builder and when he built mine it just pumps up into the rock the hole is covered with another rock so that it looks like a natural spring. I'll take some pics of it later, I'm at work now.

 

[Fredman]

Yes, Thankyou, I didn't realize I was posting it in the Pellet area until it was too late.

 

[mayhem]

You will need additional power for the pump. Having the water go over a paddlewheel that generates enough electricity to pump that same volume of water back up the hill is basically a perpetual motion machine. I could see you powering an acessory with the paddlewheel maybe, like some area lighting or maybe a small fountain pump you run in the larger pond area, but you simply cannot get enough energy out of a falling volume of water to then move that water abck to where it fell from.

 

[mikeathens]

Yeah, if this works, you will indeed have invented the first perpetual motion machine! First, you will have to make a 100% efficient turbine (that means ZERO friction losses, heat losses, sound losses, etc). Sounds like a neat idea, but instead of attempting the impossible...

Maybe you could mount solar panels on the pavillion roof, and run a DC motor directly off of it (I've actually seen this set-up in solar demos. You just won't have running water when the sun ain't shining.

 

[savageactor7]

Well if anyone can figure out how to do that I'd be interested in some water play by our pond.

 

[ourmoneypit]

There are some solar powered pumps out there that could probably get your water to the top of the falls...

 

[Redox]

Yep, sounds like you are looking for perpetual motion. I don't think you are going to find it without breaking a few laws of physics.

I've seen wind driven aerators used in aquaculture, but they are just some splashing water in a pond...

Chris