Hape E4046 Double Sand and Water Wheel - Beach and Bath Toys

Product Information

Overall, a great hassle-free water wheel kit crafted from high quality wood, non-toxic materials, and with the addition of a water pump ready for operation. Although you have less flexibility in terms of design, the water wheel is a good choice if you just want a fancy decoration without the added fuss of construction. Finally, water wheels are a big part of modern history, and look simply fantastic as decorations in water gardens and fish ponds. They’re also becoming something of a lost art, so having one in your garden is a great homage to a machine which redefined the industrial world. Many manufacturers who specialise in wooden waterwheels optimize their designs for low water flow conditions, and not electricity production, so you’ll often find your wheel starts turning even with minimal currents. For example, for a 1 foot wheel which requires 200 GPH of water flow, you’d need a pump which can provide at least 200 GPH of water pressure at 1 foot of head height. An external pump model in this instance would likely be overkill, with a small submersible (pictured) being more cost effective. However, for a 5 foot water wheel which benefits from 500+ GPH of water pressure, a small external pump may be more energy efficiency in the long term. Cut out the water wheel pieces from the foam board or cardboard with scissors or a box cutter. Have an adult help you!

Other eco-power methods, such as solar power and wind power, are more reliable for general power generation, and we’d usually recommend these over water power for regular pond owners. With that said, waterwheels are some of the best pond décor around, and still have a few extra benefits which make them great choices for fish ponds: Benefits of Pond Water Wheels: 1) Provides Aeration & Oxygenation Make a straight line two inches from the edge of the foam board, down one short side of the foam board or cardboard. Divide this section into ten 1.5 inch segments. These will be your paddles.

What is a Water Wheel?

The wheels are all overshot designs, so will require water flow to enter from the top of the wheel for best operation. The smallest wheels (15″) can be powered easily with solar pumps, small submersible pumps, or even a garden hose. The large wheels, such as the 48″ wheel, would require a stronger pump which can maintain higher water pressures at up to 1 foot of head height (height of water wheel). Although these are approximate values, we’d recommend a pump ranging from 400-600 GPH for the largest wheels to ensure smooth movement and the best aesthetic. The water wheel is housed within a very pretty wooden frame made to resemble a traditional watermill. The wheel sits with it’s axle within the main house which extends to the top of the wheel and moves water from the top to bottom in an “overshot” design. Although the wheel is designed for exterior use, coming with it’s own water tray, it can still be placed on a shallow pond shelf or on an embankment next to the pond.

If you’re using a smaller water wheel you could even make use of a solar powered pump model which should be sufficient in powering the wheel in both spring and summer months. This is also a great way to save money as solar power doesn’t add to your monthly electricity bill! For overshot designs, or very tall water wheels, solar powered pond pumps may not be suitable as you’ll need to lift water to the top of the water wheel. In this instance a quality submersible pump or an external pump would be a better choice, as both would provide higher head height values compared to solar powered pumps. To work out exactly what size pump youneed will depend on the height of the waterwheel and how much flow is required to turn the blades and create movement. They’re still used today in developing countries and communities that shun technological advancements.) To just see the general principal of a water wheel at work with a one time experiment, you can use cardboard and white glue. If you would like your water wheel to last under numerous experiments in the water, go for the more water proof option by using foam board and pins. Hot glue is waterproof and can be used in place of the pins if making the foam board water wheel.) What You Do:Although you’ll receive everything you need to get the water wheel functional, there is still some assembly required for the 30″ model which will require a drill with a square bit to put together screws into the watermill and bottom tray. A half-inch wrench is also needed to tighten the nut which is attached to the axle before operation. The wheels are crafted by an expert Amish craftsman specialising in decorative water wheels, and are available in a range of impressive colors. The colors used are natural and non-toxic, with the pine wood material also coated in natural soy bean extract to keep moisture from damaging the wood. Both coating and colors are 100% safe for fish and wildlife. Water Wheel Powered Pond Pumps – What Should You Choose? Submersible ponds are placed underwater, making them convenient for “undershot” wheels, but can also easily power “overshot” designs, too. Water wheels can still technically be used in ponds to power electrical equipment, such as low-wattage pumps, but there are downsides, such as their dependence on constantly flowing water and need for frequent maintenance (i.e., bearing replacement).