Miniature Fountain

This project will have electrical and mechanical aspects, along with the construction. It will be easy enough for the average person to build, and cheap enough for anyone to buy the materials. There will be micro-controllers, water pumps, valves, RGB LEDs, and tubing. There is a cost constraint of $100 for this product to be built.

The following items will be needed to build this project, anything without a provided link can be bought at a local hardware/crafts store:

• RGB LED Strip (1 meter): https://www.adafruit.com/product/1460?gclid=CjwKCAjwwL6aBhBlEiwADycBIK1dxsA_DIwAN2CSPioAmORXTWWn3ZwSc76sVNuE18LmUFGYY62FBhoCjHoQAvD_BwElength=1
• Small fountain pump: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4547?gclid=CjwKCAjwp9qZBhBkEiwAsYFsb7es5foL-A_boLjgEDHbWlUNFY0PC5ScPVe59t-IK0qimfeTucjyLhoCwM4QAvD_BwE
• Plexi-glass: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Falken-Design-24-in-x-36-in-x-1-16-in-Thick-Acrylic-Clear-Sheet-Falken-Design-ACRYLIC-CL-1-16-2436/308669960
• Arduino Mega: https://www.gigaparts.com/arduino-mega2560-board.html?utm_term=sku-pb0009
• Male to male cables: https://shop.eeinabox.com/product.sc?productId=66&categoryId=-1
• Female to male cables: https://shop.eeinabox.com/product.sc?productId=478&categoryId=-1
• Water pump tubing (1 meter): https://www.adafruit.com/product/4545
• Hacksaw
• Hot glue
• Sandpaper
• Sharpie/Pen
• Laptop/PC with USB-A to USB-B cord
• Hairdryer
• Potentiometer
• Safety Glasses
• Protective gloves

For this step you will need a sharpie, plexi-glass, a handsaw, sandpaper, hot glue, and a hairdryer. Carefully cut out the outer shell pieces with the handsaw and use sandpaper to sand down the sharp edges where needed. Also use the hairdryer to mold pieces into the correct shape when needed. To bind the pieces together use hot glue generously to ensure there are no areas where water can leak out.

This step will require the same items as last step. Carefully cut out the pieces for the upper arm. Since this piece is smaller and more complex than the outer shell, be sure to take your time and cut out the pieces correctly. Like before, use the hair dryer to mold pieces into the correct shape when needed, and use hot glue to bind pieces together. This piece will be where the water spouts out similar to a shower head.

This step also requires the same items as the step before. The goal of this step is to build a waterproof shell for the electronic components to sit in.

The potentiometer is used to control the flow rate of the motor. A small hole needs to be drilled into the front of the base, with enough room for the potentiometer and three wires to connect to it.

If you are not comfortable placing the electronics inside of the fountain, you can always place the entire circuit on the outside to ensure water damage will not occur!

This step requires a little bit of wiring. Connect the 1 red and 2 black wires of the LED strip to 5V and GND of the Arduino. Connect the 1 white wire of the LED strip to digital pin 6 of the Arduino. Connect the 1 black wire of the water pump to GND of the Arduino, and the 1 red wire of the water pump to the middle pin of the potentiometer. Connect the left pin of the potentiometer for 5V of the Arduino, and right pin of the potentiometer to GND of the Arduino. This should be all of the electrical connections needed.

For this step you will need to download the Arduino IDE which can be found at https://www.arduino.cc/en/software. Once downloaded, create a new sketch, and go to Tools -> Board -> and choose "Arduino Mega or Mega 2560". Save the sketch. Go to the following website provided by NeoPixel: https://adrianotiger.github.io/Neopixel-Effect-Generator/. Click "Add Led Strip" , click on the LED strip image to the right, and set the "LEDs quantity" to 30, and the "Arduino Pin" to 6. Go to "Effects" and add in the desired effects. Click on "Generate Arduino Code" and copy and paste it into the Arduino IDE window. Ensure the USB is connected to the Arduino, and click on the green arrow at the top of the Arduino IDE to upload the code. Two example photos are provided above for how this process should look.

This step will require you to fill the reservoir of the outer shell with water. Be sure to inspect the entire project to ensure water leaks are not present. During our own personal build the group had to do a water test several times to ensure no water would leak into the electrical component area. If leaks are present try to seal with hot glue. Also test to see if the potentiometer can control the speed of the water pump, and check if the LED strip functions properly.

This step requires you to enjoy your finished product, assuming you passed testing.