Creating a water fountain working model using a DC water pump motor, a plastic bottle, and a plastic tray can be a fun and educational project.
Below are the materials you’ll need and the step-by-step instructions for building it.
Materials Needed:
- DC water pump motor (small submersible pump)
- Plastic bottle (for the reservoir or water storage)
- Plastic tray (to collect the water as it flows back down)
- Clear plastic tubing (to transport water from the pump to the top of the fountain)
- Wires and battery (to power the DC motor; typically a 9V battery or similar)
- Switch (optional, to control the pump)
- Glue, tape, or adhesive
- Scissors or a craft knife (for cutting the bottle)
- Decorative items (optional, for aesthetics such as pebbles or small plants)
Video Steps:
1. Prepare the Water Reservoir (Plastic Bottle)
- Take the plastic bottle and cut the top off to create an open reservoir. This will hold the water for the pump to circulate.
- You can also use the full bottle with a small hole near the bottom to place the water pump inside, but leaving the top open makes refilling easier.
2. Set Up the Plastic Tray
- Place the plastic tray at the base. This will act as a catchment basin to collect water when it flows down from the fountain, recycling it back into the system.
- Position the bottle in the center of the tray or however you prefer for the fountain design.
3. Connect the DC Water Pump
- Submerge the DC water pump motor in the water reservoir (plastic bottle).
- Attach clear plastic tubing to the outlet of the pump. This tubing will carry water to the top of the fountain.
- Make sure the tubing is long enough to reach where you want the water to come out.
4. Design the Fountain Structure
- Run the plastic tubing from the pump up through the fountain. You can either have the tube end at the top of the bottle, so the water spills out of the top, or have it wind through other objects for a cascading effect.
- Secure the tubing with tape or glue, depending on how you want the water to flow. For example, you can coil the tubing around the bottle and let water drip from small holes along the tubing.
5. Connect the Motor to Power
- Connect wires from the DC motor to the battery. If you’re using a switch, place it between the motor and the battery for easy control.
- Make sure the connections are insulated to prevent short circuits, especially since you are working with water.
6. Test the Fountain
- Fill the reservoir (bottle) with water, making sure the pump is fully submerged.
- Turn on the pump by connecting the battery, and water should start flowing through the tube and back into the tray.
- The pump will recycle the water from the tray back into the bottle, creating a continuous flow.