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 Posted - November 16 2013 : 8:36:54 PM
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I inherited a Faller mill and water mill a while back and I've been wanting to add to my layout. I had a great spot for it next to a fairly sizable hill. The thing I didn't like about the mill was the pump that came with it. It is a 16VAC type that moves the water with a vibrating diapragm. That makes it excessively noisy.
One day I was shopping with my family at Ross and found one of those desktop fountains on clearance for $5. I remembered these fountains as being fairly quiet, so I took a chance and bought it. When I got it home I put a couple batteries in it and sure enough it burbled away without any distracting pump noise.
I took it apart and found that the pump is quite a different design compared to the Faller pump. It has an efficient motor driving a tiny turbine. Now the challenge was to fit it in. I ended up poping off the top of the "hill" and fitting the new pump it. I cut a small piece of tubing to fit the existing port that feeds the flume.
The conversion was a success! With just a single battery, the water flow is just right and you can't hear the pump at all.
-Thomas
Edited by - Redwoods on November 16 2013 8:38:26 PM
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Posted - November 16 2013 : 8:40:13 PM
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coool I want one!
Just remember to use distilled or filtered water or calcium will build up & clog the works 
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Posted - November 16 2013 : 8:51:33 PM
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| That's really fine Thomas. I was just reading about the mountain pass near our house and how there use to be a lumber mill with water wheel powered equipment. I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of the water wheel installed on your layout. Thanks. Barry
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Posted - November 16 2013 : 10:09:54 PM
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Mighty fine bit of animation.  I assume that the camera exaggerated the apparent speed of the wheel. It looks like it's spinning at 1200 rpm, but it's not flinging a rooster tail of water, so the speed must be way more reasonable.
Carpe Manana!
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