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Update 05 June 2011: Here http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Fountain-Ultimate-Version/ a new and different version.
I was inspired by some others projects on internet (like this, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRlNOyxWWf8& )
This "Time Fountain" works by the principle of the Stroboscope: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroboscope
I made this fountain using a little submersible water pump inside a decorated jar, fluorescent water (with highlighter's ink) and UV LEDs, to obtain strobe light, using a simple strobe circuit based on a pair of ne555 (with a low duty cycle).
With this circuit we obtain a strobe light with duty cycle and frequency both adjustable via two potentiometer.
The transistor (2N1711) can handle a maximum current of 500 mA.
I used 18 LEDs UV.
My Time Fountain video :
http://www.vimeo.com/23475559
Is very important to obtain a regular drip rate, for this i've used an infusion medical kit like this: http://servizimedia.altervista.org/fontana/img/Contagocce.jpg
The water is pumped upward, through a tiny pipe, and falls again inside the jar, cyclically.
With the strobe light (with a potentiometer we can set the frequency of lamps) i can set the effect on the drops, as you can see in the video. The drops are constant, i just change the LEDs frequency.
With strobe light we get the illusion of freezing the drops of water in midair, slowed or reversed!
My Time Fountain video II (click here if the player don't works )
I was inspired by some others projects on internet (like this, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRlNOyxWWf8& )
This "Time Fountain" works by the principle of the Stroboscope: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroboscope
I made this fountain using a little submersible water pump inside a decorated jar, fluorescent water (with highlighter's ink) and UV LEDs, to obtain strobe light, using a simple strobe circuit based on a pair of ne555 (with a low duty cycle).
With this circuit we obtain a strobe light with duty cycle and frequency both adjustable via two potentiometer.
The transistor (2N1711) can handle a maximum current of 500 mA.
I used 18 LEDs UV.
My Time Fountain video :
http://www.vimeo.com/23475559
Is very important to obtain a regular drip rate, for this i've used an infusion medical kit like this: http://servizimedia.altervista.org/fontana/img/Contagocce.jpg
The water is pumped upward, through a tiny pipe, and falls again inside the jar, cyclically.
With the strobe light (with a potentiometer we can set the frequency of lamps) i can set the effect on the drops, as you can see in the video. The drops are constant, i just change the LEDs frequency.
With strobe light we get the illusion of freezing the drops of water in midair, slowed or reversed!
My Time Fountain video II (click here if the player don't works )
thank you
18 LEDs: 5,20 Euro
Jar: 4,50 Euro
Strobe circuit: 10 Euro (assembled by myself)
Medical infusion kit: 1 Euro
Pipes: few Euro cents (about 0,60)
Water pump: 10 Euro
Black paperboard: a few Euro cents :-)
Fluorescent ink: i've just used 3 highlighter (one highlighter cost about 1,50 euro): 4,50 Euro
But for this part is more convenient to buy fluorescent ink in some DIY store..
For this project: http://www.instructables.com/id/Magic-Fountain-Ultimate-Version/ i've used 250 ml of fluorescent ink just for 3.20 Euro
So, the total cost for me is: 36,30 Euro (53 Dollars)
So, You can submit it in this site ;-)
And in nighttime it looks much cool and magical!
I added a detailed scheme and some more info.