Liberty Mains Free Features FAQs
Liberty General
Liberty Features are run from a rechargeable Lithium battery and charger. You can also add the Solar Panel Upgrade to ‘run and recharge’ the feature using the sun’s energy. The third option is to run the feature from the mains power, if preferred. Although the features have been designed for convenient, mains-free use, you can run them from mains.
Yes, you can. If you have a Liberty (mk1) Remote Control feature simply select ‘on’ on the remote and the feature will run until the battery runs out, or it will continue to run and recharge if using the solar panel in good weather. If you have the Liberty (mk2) Easy Power System use the yellow button on the right-hand side of the powerset to run continuously in the same manner.
Alternatively you can run your Liberty feature through mains power, see above.
No, your Liberty Feature will need filling with water from a hose or watering can when you set it up. It will also need checking and topping up due to splash and evaporation. However, there is no need for a water supply to the feature.
During the worst of the winter weather we recommend that you switch off and empty the feature, removing the pump and battery and store in a dry, frost-free place.
Liberty Features are flexible enough to be located indoors. However, all the features create a small amount of splash which would gradually wet a floor. This could damage flooring or cause a slip hazard, so it is not recommended.
See the spares page for details of the spares which are available for your Liberty Feature – as many of these features are now obsolete and some spares are no longer available you can power your water feature with the new mk3 Liberty 200 pump – this uses a solar panel with Lithium battery back up built in to give the best of both worlds.
Simply wipe the surface down with a soft cloth. Do not use detergents as you could discolour or damage the product. If the water is cloudy, simply tip out and re-fill. If you do not want to replace all the water in the Cedar Pools you can treat dirty water with a natural product such as Blagdon Extract of Barley Straw.
Battery
Yes. Liberty lithium batteries are designed with safety in mind. They include several built-in features to ensure safety during charging periods.
In testing, the battery can last up to 14 hours of continual running. However, if you set the feature to run for a couple of hours a day, then you will get the 14 hours spread over the week, therefore should get around a week’s worth of running.
Mk 1 – The waterproof battery is located inside the feature – refer to instruction manual for the location.
Mk2 – Each feature has a dry battery port. See the instruction manual to locate the battery on your feature.
Simply unplug and remove the battery from the feature or its battery port. Take it indoors and charge using the supplied charger. It should only take a few hours to fully charge, and the charging light will go green when ready.
See the ‘how to’ videos for a guide to locating, removing and charging the battery
Solar Panel
The Solar Panel can very easily be added to your feature. The Solar Panel cable plugs into the power-in port on the battery.
See the ‘how to’ video for adding the solar panel.
For maximum benefit from the sun’s energy position the panel at a 30-45 degree angle to the floor and ensure the panel is not shaded by trees or building, as best as possible. See the diagram in the instruction manual.
Pump and Lights
The LED lights that come with many of the features run continuously while the feature is running. They are connected to the battery, as per the pump, so whilst the feature is on, the lights will be on as well.
No, the LED lights are connected to the battery, along with the pump, if the feature is running the lights will be on.
When you turn your feature off and remove the pump, the water drains from the system. When you turn the feature back on, it can take several minutes for the air that has built up to get pushed through the pump impellor. Leave the feature running for a few minutes to give it a chance to ‘blow through’.
Other things to check:
– You haven’t loosened any of the connectors when cleaning the pump, and all the parts are put back together, correctly.
– For a Liberty Feature with remote control powerset, ensure the aerial is fully extended on the remote for best reception
– For a Liberty Feature with easy power system, ensure the LED lights are shining on the powerset which signals the feature should be running
– There is enough water in the feature to completely cover the pump.
– The battery is charged, if in doubt fully recharge and try again.
Cedar Pools
These features were specifically designed with Cedar wood due to its natural high resin content which prevents rotting. Unlike pine, Cedar is very tolerant of wet conditions, making it ideal for a water feature. Occasionally, in hot weather, the thick, protective resin may come to the surface of the wood.
There are a couple of reasons that your feature is losing water. Evaporation is common in hot weather. Simply top up the level from a hose or watering can, as needed.
The other main reason for water loss is due to the fountain being turned up too high and the level of splash increasing. Ensure the fountain flow is low enough to prevent over spill, and the fountain splash is reduced. See the ‘how to’ video on controlling the flow of the fountain.
Cedar is a naturally durable wood that has a high resin content which prevents rotting, therefore it is not necessary to treat the wood on a Liberty Cedar Pools.
The Octagon Terrace Pool is made of Pine and has been treated to ensure it maintains its beauty all year round in your garden
However, if you prefer a different colour or finish, then it is fine to paint the outer wood. Take care not to get paint/varnish in the water if you are encouraging wildlife and aquatic life to use the pool and follow the instructions of a reputable garden furniture paint provider
We do not recommend introducing fish to the Cedar Pools due to the small volume of water and the risk of winter freezing. For larger water features that can support livestock see Affinity Living Feature Pools.