Recirculating ice water bath from battery operated desktop fountain

Lets say that you have a Microchemistry condenser column and you need a recirculating ice water bath to cool the condenser. These can cost up to $1000. We show you how to how to make one from a cheap battery operated desktop fountain for under ten dollars. It can run continuously for two days on one set of AA batteries and provides a steady stream of ice-water or room temperature water to the condenser column.

Step 1 Select a Fountain

Find a fountain that you can take apart. We went to the local "$5 and below" store to pick up a few battery operated desktop fountains. This one was small and cost $4. It runs continuously on two AA batteries for about two days. It measures about 6 inches in height and the bowl diameter is 5 inches.
It runs very quietly. Other places that have small fountains are the grocery store gift sections, sometimes the dollar stores or even swap shops and garage sales.

Comments

[Pyrophoric]

I built a pump myself, but this is probably a better alternative. Nice work.

[surfvicitim]

Would this work with a standard scale condenser?  I'm looking into doing this at work so I'm not tethered to a faucet.  Maybe an aquarium pump might work better for standard scale...
I'm open to suggestions.

[siderits]

You're right, thanks for pointing it out.  I've tried this with a standard and mini setups as well and the flow rates are good.  If you want to let it run for extended periods and you have a power outlet then the

Aquascape 98467 145 GPH Premium Mag Drive Fountain Statue Water Pump

works very well.  You can get smaller versions online for 5$ from hobby or surplus shops.  Beyond that you can go to the "Pond Master" but I think that might be overkill.  Cheers

[siderits]

Quark Glass ( http://quarkglass.com ) has some really nice microchemistry kits. The one in the image uses a Hickman still head for basic hydro-distillation.

[Kiteman]

Cool. Literally. And, of course, you could do this for any condensing job you have, whether it's chemistry or distilling certain alcoholic vapours.

[jeff-o]

Note to self: Cheap dollar store fountains are a source for cheap waterproof pumps. Thanks!