- Slide the cord of your fountain pump through the slit cut into the side of your rubber fountain plug, with the plug portion of the cord coming out from ...
- Line the inside of hole of your fountain receptacle with a thin layer of epoxy. ...
- Slide your rubber plug, with its narrow side down, from the inside of the receptacle to the outside.
- Line the outside of the plug, where it touches the receptacle material, with another thin line of epoxy, floral putty or silicone caulk.
- Allow the epoxy, putty or caulk to dry completely before moving on to adding materials such as rocks to the receptacle.
- Slide the cord of your fountain pump through the slit cut into the side of your rubber fountain plug, with the plug portion of the cord coming out from the narrower end of your rubber plug.
- Line the inside of hole of your fountain receptacle with a thin layer of epoxy.
How do you hook up a rubber fountain plug?
1. Slide the cord of your fountain pump through the slit cut into the side of your rubber fountain plug, with the plug portion of the cord coming out from the narrower end of your rubber plug. 2. Line the inside of hole of your fountain receptacle with a thin layer of epoxy.
How do I install a solar powered water fountain?
Hold the fountain's top over the basin, and have a helper feed the pump hose through the top's center hole. 15. Set the top down onto the basin, making sure it's centered. 16. Fill the fountain's basin with water. 17. Bury the power cord in a shallow trench, then plug power cord into the solar panel to activate the pump.
How do you install a garden fountain on a string?
Stretch the string out and use it as a pivot point to find the farthest point from the receptacle that you can place your fountain. Dig a trench about 20 inches deep from the outdoor GFCI receptacle to the garden fountain pump.
What kind of plugs do you use for a fountain?
Solid Rubber Stopper plugs for fountain drainage holes Use together with one of our white or color changing ring lights for a more dramatic effect! Turn your fountain into a show stopper!
How do you run electricity to a fountain?
0:181:44How to Run Electrical Wire to a Garden Fountain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we have here is a 12-2. With a ground direct burial wire the 12 to would be good for 20 ampsMoreWhat we have here is a 12-2. With a ground direct burial wire the 12 to would be good for 20 amps the 20 amp circuit. What I have here is a trenching.
How do you plug in an outdoor water fountain?
2:294:49How to Install DIY Water Fountain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo then you can plug it in so the only thing is you got to make sure you're either close to a GFCIMoreSo then you can plug it in so the only thing is you got to make sure you're either close to a GFCI receptacle. We've got an extension cord or something that you can go and plug this into.
Do you have to plug in a water fountain?
It depends what type of fountain you have. A standard model will have a recycling pump and electrical cords to plug in. However, you can get solar powered fountains which still circulate the water using a pump, but is powered by the sun and do not require to be plugged in.
Do you need electricity for a fountain?
Most outdoor water fountains require wired electricity or solar power, with the exception of gravity-fed fountains. Hardwired fountains use electricity from the grid and are connected to your home's power supply.
Can you use an extension cord with a fountain?
Your bubbling waterfall or gurgling fountain needs power to run the pump. But simply plugging it into a house outlet or an extension cord is unsightly and unsafe. (And cutting off the plug and hard-wiring the pump voids its warranty.)
How does an outdoor water fountain work?
The pump forces water upwards to create a falling effect into a lower basin. The pump uses water pressure and tubes to force the water back into the reservoir to start the cycle over again. The number of reservoirs and pumps in a fountain can vary, with large outdoor fountains commonly having multiple basins.
How do water fountains work without electricity?
A. Beginning in ancient times, fountain designers relied on gravity, channeling water from a higher source in a closed system to provide pressure. The aqueducts of ancient Rome carried water down from the mountains to elevated cisterns to be distributed through pipes for both drinking and ornamental purposes.
Should I leave my fountain on all the time?
Should I Leave My Fountain on All the Time? Fountain pumps are specifically designed to run constantly. It is hard on the pump if you constantly turn it on and off every day. The only times you should turn off the fountain pump is if you are cleaning it or if you are going to be away from it for several days.
Do outdoor fountains need power?
Outdoor fountains have a variety of power options with the two most common being hardwired and solar powered. A hardwired fountains draws on an electric power source to function.
Does a fountain use a lot of electricity?
Drinking fountain manufacturers have esti- mated energy consumption of refrigerated fountains to be between 7.8–10.8 kWh per 40-hour work week. 1 This consumption can vary widely due to usage rates, ambient conditions, feed water temperatures, and rated capacity of the units.
Should I run my fountain 24 hours a day?
Do I have to turn my water fountain off at night or when I am away? Water fountain pumps are meant to run 24/7. It is harder on the pump if it is turned on and off continuously. You should not need to turn your fountain off as long as there is enough water in the fountain for the allotted time.
How much electricity does a small fountain use?
A small fountain usually uses between 10 and 15 watts of electricity. This is a pretty small amount, and it's easy to find a fountain that uses this little power. If you're looking for a small fountain, be sure to pay attention to the one with a low-power pump or is solar-powered.
How do you seal a fountain plug?
Line the inside of hole of your fountain receptacle with a thin layer of epoxy. Silicone caulk or floral putty will also work for this job, though epoxy may be best if your receptacle is made from ceramic as it makes a glass-like seal.
Do drinking fountains require GFCI?
Vending machines, cord-and-plug-connected spray washers, drinking fountains, auto vacuum and tire inflation machines installed for the public require GFCI protection.
What to use to stabilize a fountain?
You may also want to have a few other things handy: Various screws, nuts and bolts (these may come with the fountain, but if you're deviating at all from the manufacturer's setup you may need extra) Wire nuts and other connectors. Gravel, stone or cement cinderblocks to stabilize an outdoor fountain.
How does a fountain work?
Most fountains have a reservoir, a basin in which water collects. Fountains work by gravity , so the reservoir is also typically the base. Assembling the fountain usually involves connecting a series of other basins to the reservoir and feeding a tube or pipe between the reservoir and the top basin.
What happens if a fountain is set too low?
If it's set too low, the fountain won't seem to circulate at all. Before installing a wall fountain, you may want to have an electrician visit your house to install an outlet and a switch on the wall in question, in such a way that the power cord -- but not the switch -- will be behind the fountain when it's installed.
What happens if you pump water through a fountain?
You may need to experiment to find the appropriate pumping rate. If the pump is set too high, the fountain will splash (which can waste water, as well as damage the surrounding furniture, walls and flooring).
What is the smallest fountain?
The smallest fountains are designed for tabletops. These units may be no larger than the basin of a bathroom sink. They're typically self-contained. Tabletop fountains are great options for offices, studio apartments and other relatively small spaces (and you'll be amazed at how much more space you seem to have when the air is full of the sound of flowing water). You should, of course, make sure there's some sort of protection for the table surface -- a fountain can cause both water damage and nicks and scrapes. It's also a good idea to check the stability and placement of the table itself -- you don't want to put a bowl full of water on the wobbly end table everyone always bumps into on their way into the TV room.
What are the two elements that make a fountain dangerous?
You may have noticed that a fountain combines two potentially dangerous elements: electricity and water.
Where does a pool pump go?
The pump goes in the reservoir, or, in a two-pump fountain, in the reservoir and the top basin. It may or may not be encased in a filter box, which -- just like the filter in a swimming pool -- helps keep out debris.
How to connect a GFCI to a PVC pipe?
Thread the extension cord through the pvc pipe. If you need to use more than one PVC pipe, attach aVC P coupling to the end of the first pipe and thread the cord through the second pipe. Repeat this process until you have covered the distance to the GFCI outlet. Go back and attach all pipes to the pvc couplings.
How to protect extension cord from outdoor elements?
You will use PVC pipe to protect the extension cord from the outdoor elements. Using the recorded measurements, cut the PVC pipe to length with your coping saw. If the distance to the GFCI outlet is longer than the length of one PVC pipe, gather the specific number of pipes you need to equal the distance. Cut any excess length off the last pipe.
How deep should I dig for a GFCI outlet?
Dig a trench at least six inches deep and wide enough to hold the PVC pipe. This trench should make a straight path to the GFCI outlet. Save any dirt removed from the trench to refill the trench later.
Why do you need a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI outlet is necessary to prevent electrocution in the event someone makes contact with the electrical current. The GFCI outlet will stop the current before any bodily damage occurs.
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To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
Is it dangerous to wire an electrical outlet without a license?
Attempting to wire any electrical item without proper training and licensing is not only dangerous but foolish as well. Locate an electrician to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. Be sure to check the electrician’s licensing, insurance and credentials.
Can you wire an outdoor water fountain?
Wiring your outdoor water fountain was a challenge, but you tackled it fearlessly. Now, you are finished and can enjoy the fruits of your labor without any safety concerns.
How do I install a fountain pump?
1. Measure and cut a length of string to the same length as your fountain pump’s electrical cord minus 2 feet. Place duct tape on one end of the string and tape it on top of a GFCI outdoor receptacle nearest to the area where you want your fountain. Stretch the string out and use it as a pivot point to find the farthest point from ...
How to hide a fountain cord?
Hide the fountain cord by stacking rocks around it or planting flowers near it. Do not add an extension cord to your power cord for extending length. Plan the area where you want your fountain in advance and purchase one with a longer cord to accommodate your needs. Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years.
How to make a mirror on a trench?
Prime the opposite end of the elbow and pipe and glue it together in the same manner. Drop the hex nut through one horizontal pipe piece in the trench bottom at a time and secure each pipe section. Add an elbow at the end of the trench and the other 19-inch pipe to make a mirror image of the opposite side.
How to pull a power cord with a hex nut?
Drop the end of the string with the hex nut on it through one 19-inch piece of pipe. The nut will go through the pipe and exit the other side of the pipe as it pulls the power cord with it. Drop the hex nut through a PVC 90-degree elbow and the first section of pipe in the trench.
How deep should I dig for a GFCI receptacle?
Dig a trench about 20 inches deep from the outdoor GFCI receptacle to the garden fountain pump. The trench only needs to be about 2 inches wide to accommodate the schedule 40 PVC pipe.
Why add a fountain to my lawn?
Adding a garden fountain to your landscape provides you with a serene area to relax and enjoy the sounds while blocking out other noises. Garden fountains are available in a large variety of sizes and shapes to complement your lawn. The power cord should be buried underground to install a fountain without any unsightly electrical wires on the lawn.
How to bond a 19 inch pipe?
Place a thick layer of PVC primer on the exterior of the 19-inch pipe and the interior of the elbow. Apply a thick layer of glue on the same areas. Push the pipe into the elbow, twist it slightly and hold the two pieces together for a minute or two to start the bonding process.
How far away from the outlet is a fountain pump?
The longest cord I've ever found for a small fountain pump is 16', so that would mean your fountain would only being 16 feet from the outlet on your patio. That's what I use for my container water garden, and having it that close to the patio makes it alot easier to add water, which with a small fountain you will likely have to do 1-2 times a day with the heat and the birds bathing.
Can you use an extension cord to move a fountain?
He said to move the fountain or the GFCI, you should not be using an extension cord. Alternatively, you could use something he called Scotchcoat (some sort of weatherproofing), which would give a permanent protection to what should be a temporary connection. He did not suggest the 2nd method as something you should do.