Automatic Plant Watering System with a PET Bottle

thingiverse

This "automatic plant watering system with a PET bottle" is a simple way to save your plants from withering when you're away for an extended period, such as during holidays or business trips. For instance, I use this gadget at work during Christmas when the office is closed and no one is around to water the plants. To set up this system, you'll need an additional PET bottle with a standard 28 mm thread. The size of the bottle doesn't affect the functionality, but it does impact how long the water supply will last for your plant. I recommend using a sturdy returnable bottle that won't be affected by the vacuum created inside the bottle during the watering process. These bottles are typically more stable and less likely to tip over. The plant pot must be combined with a saucer that's no taller than 40 mm and no shorter than 15 mm. If the saucer is much larger than the pot, it can even be higher. The idea behind this system is borrowed from water dispensers for chickens. The end of the water escape pipe has two holes: one for water outlet and another for air inlet. When the water level reaches the upper hole, air flows into the bottle through the pipe, while water simultaneously flows into the saucer. Once the water level reaches the upper hole again, the airflow stops, and no more water is dispensed. This process repeats until the plant has consumed enough water to drop below the upper hole. As the air bubbles rise in the bottle, they create a distinctive sound that signals your plant is being automatically watered. To ensure this system works properly, it's recommended to use some type of sealing between the bottle and the pipe. You can place something at the bottom of the thread or between the turns of the thread. If you're using a 3D printer with water-soluble support material, make sure your nozzle isn't dripping. The print must be waterproof to prevent leaks. If you're lucky, you might not need any sealing due to good printing quality. This system is specifically designed for helophytes, which are plants that tolerate waterlogging. However, if your plant or flower doesn't thrive in wet conditions, it's best to avoid using this system altogether. Before leaving your plant unattended, test the system to ensure everything works as expected and to determine how long one bottle of water will last for your specific plant.