BioDesign N/L 20.8.11 - better LEDs - more on irrigation, wicks, seeds, and pots July 20, 2011
Better LEDs - Wicks & Seeds - Filling pots
Filling Pots and Wick Water Containers
There is now another possibility for those wanting low cost DIY Solar lighting - strip SMDs.
These are a more efficient type of LED that the usual 5mm type
These SMDs are mounted into flexible strips of plastic and give much more light. As always there are snags - they need both soldering and 12 volts.
But anyone who has a car battery that can be charged will find them of great interest since they consume little current and I am willing to post a few to the first dozen people emailing to ask to test a small sample. Please say how they might be used!
Each SMD only costs a small fraction of a dollar!
Draft pdf emailed if required.
It is also possible to connect several small batteries in series to produce 12v so if you wish to try this do send details of what you have available and I can advise.
Wicks for Seed strips
Steve Bosserman has suggested that wicks could be used to water seeds sown in strips.
Such seed strips can be bought in some countries but some people, who wish to germinate small or valuable seeds, make their own strips fixing the seeds etc to paper strips.
Anyone who is interested/knows about this please contact me.
Hi Graham,
We met through Pamela McLean at Dadamac a couple of months ago. Any chance we could have a Skype conversation about your myriad sustainability projects at BioDesign as they relate to agricultural practices, water management, energy use, etc? The results of your research show considerable promise not only to help people access appropriate technology, but develop businesses within sustainable local economies in localities around the world. I would like to promote your work in several communities in the U.S., but want your counsel first on whether that is something you want and, if so, how you would like that done.
We met through Pamela McLean at Dadamac a couple of months ago. Any chance we could have a Skype conversation about your myriad sustainability projects at BioDesign as they relate to agricultural practices, water management, energy use, etc? The results of your research show considerable promise not only to help people access appropriate technology, but develop businesses within sustainable local economies in localities around the world. I would like to promote your work in several communities in the U.S., but want your counsel first on whether that is something you want and, if so, how you would like that done.
Steve
Filling Pots and Wick Water Containers
For those who wish to irrigate a field with porous pots or wicks, one snag is the frequent hand refilling required. This can be overcome if sufficient tubing (hosepipe) is available to connect the pots/containers together from a main water tank.
If you download this diagram from Brazil www.oas.org/dsd/publications/unit/oea59e/p189.GIF
you will see one way that porous pots can all be filled providing pots are made in a special way.
A much simpler technique is to use syphon tubes for which I have made a leaflet showing how any number of water containers can be joined together to have the same depth of water.
This applies equally to water containers for wicks.
Graham
biodesign.webeden.co.uk/