Hydroponic pump from recycled battery operated weed killer sprayer

This Instructables will show how I recycled an old battery operated weed killer sprayer in to an automatic hydroponic pump, or to pump any light fluid for any purpose.
You will need one used battery operated weed killer sprayer, wash it out with liquid dish soap a couple times, don't want to leave any chemicals in in.
An x-10 universal module.
Some wire for remote switch.
1/8" I.D. length of clear tubing.
A rechargeable 7.2 V battery.
The sprayer is battery operated, it holds 4 AA (6 volts) batteries but never seemed to work great, in this instructable I upgrade the power source to 7.2 volt rechargeable battery, which could be charged with a small solar panel.
I used an x-10 universal module to control the pump. X-10 automation software to run pump 4 times a day at regular intervals.

Step 1 Disasemble the sprayer gun

Locate the screws holding it together, remove them. Pry the bottom open and work towards the top, the top has snap fit bosses on the inside. It will pop open when persuaded enough. Inside we find a small dc motor driven pump, a trigger switch, battery compartment and the spray nozzle. To remove the pump, I cut the wires.

Comments

[rayorama]

this is like something I need to spray glitter in intervals, I would like to hook it up to a sensor. do you think, as I have no idea what I'm doing you could hook up a similar type or rig, with something that has a bigger tube and nozzle to allow glitter to pass through? does it have to be liquid?

[rambler4]

This idea is for liquid , spraying glitter would require air and a solenoid to turn air supply on and off via a sensor as you require. I know powder can be effectively sprayed using low pressure air . Look up spray powder units for offset presses. Glitter would require more air and a tube and nozzle to handle the particles of glitter. If you could explain what would trigger a sensor and how big each glitter piece is then I could try and help more. The glitter would have to be dry and uniform in size.

[rayorama]

oh thanks! people would trigger the sensor, entering the space or I might just use a timer. do you think a paint sprayer might work with a big enough nozzle. the glitter will be dry and would prefer not uniform but can do if thats what will work. the glitter I'm thinking will be fairly big or even small star shaped so it won't get too into peoples eyes etc as it will spray onto people as they walk in. I just need something that can hold a fair bit but not too strong in pressure and pretty cheap if possible.
thanks for the reply!

[GENERALCHAOS]

wow how long did it tak u to flush out the bad stuff ? cus i hav bug spray

[thisdude]

i like the concept, try getting rid of the spray nozzle looks kinda weird

[thisdude]

im just saying that i would try to get rid of the green handle and maybe just mount the pump to the lid of the container only the top of the gun is used for the pump maybe you could cut the bottom of it off and glue the top to the lid btw im not trying to be rude just expanding on the concept

[rambler4]

That's cool , I left the handle in tack as it has a clip that attaches to the container, and this will still function as before if you put batteries in the handle and press the trigger. I didn't think it rude just didn't understand, feel free to expand on the concept. I did, and made a piece of landfill into something useful. Cheers!

[rambler4]

I'm sorry thisdude, I don't understand your comment, please explain.

[jeff-o]

An excellent re-use for an otherwise environmentally-unfriendly product! Nice.