Accelerate Water: Squirt Jet 20m Without Expensive Hardware

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to create a jet of water that can reach a distance of 20 meters, focusing on practical applications for deterring foxes from a garden. Participants explore various technologies, pump designs, and automation options while emphasizing cost-effectiveness.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the feasibility of using electrically charged jets to maintain a cohesive stream of water, with one participant stating it is not possible.
  • There are discussions about the best type of pump to use, with suggestions that it depends on the volume of water and duration of use.
  • One participant proposes using a pressurized water tank with a solenoid valve, likening it to garden sprayers and noting the importance of orifice sizing.
  • Another participant suggests a motion-activated sonic repellent system as an alternative to a water jet, highlighting the need for precision in aiming the water.
  • Some participants discuss the idea of using a normal sprinkler system controlled by a motion sensor, considering its practicality and effectiveness.
  • There is a mention of adding chemicals to water to increase surface tension, potentially keeping the stream intact for longer distances.
  • One participant humorously reflects on the potential chaos of using a motion sensor sprinkler, imagining the surprise of getting soaked after work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the best approach to achieve the desired water jet, with no consensus reached on a single solution. Multiple competing views remain regarding the effectiveness and practicality of different methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations related to cost, precision in aiming, and the effectiveness of various technologies in achieving the desired outcome. There are unresolved questions about the optimal design and implementation of the proposed solutions.

GregMartin
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Can anyone tell me the best way to squirt a jet of water 20 metres. I want it to arrive in a stream not as a mist. Can the jet be electrically charged to hold it together ? Is there a best form of pump ? Can I make a pump that will squirt instantantaneously or will I need a pressurised cylinder? Is there technology available which simulates stamping on a plastic bottle full og water ?
Any and all of these need to be acheived without expensive hardware.
 
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GregMartin said:
Can anyone tell me the best way to squirt a jet of water 20 metres. I want it to arrive in a stream not as a mist.

Have you looked at current technologies such as fater fountains? I don't think it's possible to assure it arrives only as a stream, especially at that kind of distance (of course it might be possible if you "squirted" staright down... How much water are you trying to move? Is this for a water show?

GregMartin said:
Can the jet be electrically charged to hold it together ?

No.

GregMartin said:
Is there a best form of pump ?

It will depend on how much water you need to move, and for how long.

GregMartin said:
Can I make a pump that will squirt instantantaneously or will I need a pressurised cylinder? Is there technology available which simulates stamping on a plastic bottle full og water ?
Any and all of these need to be acheived without expensive hardware.

Lots of things can be achieved with many different technologies, but none of it will be done very cheaply.
 
I'll come clean. I want to discourage the foxes which use my garden as a WC. It would be non-lethal tech and no-one could complain about cruelty etc. As foxes are so timid just a touch would do the trick, not much energy needs to be involved.
 
Why not just use a squirt gun?
 
They usually come into the garden when I'm not there. I want a method which I can leave to run automatically. I can probably do the electronics but not the hardware. Perhaps I'll get a super-squirter and adapt it.
 
Try using a pressurized water tank (think garden sprayer) with a solenoid valve to fire it. That is how those fancy water fountains that shoot short bursts of water work. The difficult bit would be sizing the orifice for the water to squirt through. A 10 mm orifice would be my first guess, but you'll need to play around with it.
 
Sure, it needs to be aimed fairly well. But I thought that was part of his fun in doing this. I suspect a near miss may be good enough.
 
What you're talking about making is a robotically aimed water cannon with a firing range of 20 meters for defending your garden from pests. This is the very definition of overkill, and you said yourself that cost was a concern.

Sure anything can be done with enough time, money, and ingenuity... but is it the best solution for you problem? Probably not. Still, if you do make it be sure to take video of it in operation, I suspect it will be quite impressive.
 
  • #10
What about just a normal water sprinkle, with the water source controlled by a motion sensor? I'm thinking one of those sprinklers that fire in a circle (and make a fair bit of noise).


Then you just put a motion sensor that will open a valve and let the water flow to the sprinkler. Fire the sprinkler for 10 seconds then allow a 30 second reset period (when sensor won't fire the sprinkler) to let things settle.
 
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  • #11
I think you can add some chemicals to water to increase the surface tension. That should keep the stream together for longer.
 
  • #12
DaleSwanson said:
What about just a normal water sprinkle, with the water source controlled by a motion sensor? I'm thinking one of those sprinklers that fire in a circle (and make a fair bit of noise).


Then you just put a motion sensor that will open a valve and let the water flow to the sprinkler. Fire the sprinkler for 10 seconds then allow a 30 second reset period (when sensor won't fire the sprinkler) to let things settle.


Flashbacks of the the beginning scene in Saving Private Ryan come to mind but with foxes and the sprkinler :smile:

Where would you put the sensor? ..I can only imagine him coming back from a long day at work only to be soaked walking to his door :smile:
 
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  • #14
Mender, that does seem to catch the spirit of the job.

However, I don't know if foxes can be guided into the fire zone as easily.
 

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