How to Build a Water Wheel Pump
How to Build a Water Wheel Pump
With most of the things guides aiming for a “Do-It-Yourself” style, a lot of people prefer building things themselves, which can be used whenever required. One such example is the water wheel pump. Water wheel pumps can be used for several purposes such as grinding grain, saw wood and most importantly, pumping water.
Nowadays, it is possible to build one’s own water wheel pump with the help of some common materials such as:
Corrugated sheet
Flat pins
Wooden skewer
Scissors/box cutters
Ruler, compass and string
Small-sized bucket
After all of these materials have been procured, one can start with the process of building their own water wheel pump. This water wheel pump can also act as a pond filter and aerator, if desired. A water wheel pump makes use of the current of a river by pumping the water to greater heights than the height of the pump itself. The only requirement for the water wheel pump to function is to have a steady surface flow of water. However, they can do without any steep descents and waterfalls. Enough number of precautions must be taken while installing the water pump so that it can adjust its functioning to the changing current of the river.
To make the paddles of the water wheel pump, one can use the corrugated sheet, which is generally cut into 1.5-inch segments. With the help of a protractor, one can easily make two circles on the cardboard. By marking the center of the circle, one can get the position of the axle that will connect the two half-circles of the water wheel. The two halves of the water wheel can be used to make paddles of the wheel. These paddles need to be equidistant from each other at an approximate interval of 40 degrees apart. Enough precautions should be taken so that the paddle of the wheel should lie centrally on the wheel.
By making use of pins or any other gluing substance, these paddles can be attached to the water wheel pump. To test the efficiency of this water wheel pump, one can place the water wheel pump in the kitchen sink. As soon as water runs from the tap onto the wheel, it will make the wheel of the
pump spin. This is a simple step, which can help to determine whether the water wheel pump is working efficiently or not. After testing the efficiency of the water wheel pump, it can be put to use by attaching it to a small bucket with the axle.
Punching holes into an egg carton from the top, so that the string can be encircled through it, can function as a handle for the water wheel pump. The larger piece of the string can be attached to the axle, which will help us to determine the actual strength of the bucket, which can be used to
lift water using the water wheel pump. So, go ahead and experience the pleasure of using a water wheel pump that you’ve made yourself!