WACKY on tue 16 dec 97
Hi Clayart frens,
I am in the middle of constructing my mini table top fountains out of
thrown bowls (either used in singles or in assemblage)
However, there is a difficulty in which I have not been able to resolve
satisfactorily :
1. I do not wish to see the wire of the fountain pump hanging
over the rims of my basic bowl which is expected to contain the
pump. It is unsightly.
The best solution I have come up with so far is to drill a hole at the
bottom of the bowl to let out the wire of the pump, before sealing it
up with silicon rubber. However, I realized that the plug head of the
pump is completely moulded as a single piece. If I were to carry out
based on the above, I have to make a fairly big hole about 4 cm in diameter.
This is a great discount for the humble-sized bowl I am making. (approx.
35cm in diameter)
One alternative is to forego the original plug head. But I am afraid that
snipping the wire at the tip and rejoining it with another plug head may
be dangerous as the wiring may leak out the current.
I wonder if any of you can help me with this problem. I will be really
grateful to your suggestions and advice.
Yen
STRESSED!!!!!!
------->>>>>>>SOS<<<<<<<<-------
student NIE Singapore
LOWELL BAKER on wed 17 dec 97
cut the wire and add a new plug. John Smith or Brian can help you.
Tell them I said to send you to the electrical shop for the parts.
It will be a good experience for you.
Have John and Brian get back with me. I have been trying to contact
them for weeks. Tell everyone Hi for me at NIE.
Lowell Baker
The University of Alabama
Pranton on wed 17 dec 97
Yen,
I thought there was an outstanding idea recently for fountain pumps. The
suggestion was to cut the wire, so the hole will be fairly small where it
passes through the pot (just the thickness of the wire), and wire a switch
onto the cut ends to join them back together. I also didn't like the idea of
rewiring a plug, but a switch is such a geat idea. It's always a pain to have
to remove the plug and then replug every time you use an appliance. This way,
the customer can use a plug-in that doesn't have to be accessible all the
time, behind a dresser or night stand (yes, some people use fountains to lull
them to sleep).
They do make switches that are fairly easy to wire, I have used them for
hanging lights in the past.
Lynne Antone
Olympia WA
Judith Enright on wed 17 dec 97
I'm not sure I'd want to rig the pump so "permanently" in the
fountain. Wha happens if the pump fails sometime down the line -- do
you really want the customer to have to undo/redo all the work? Also,
cleaning the fountain becomes cumbersome if one is having to deal with
a pump and cord that can't be removed. However, if you're committed
to doing it this way, cutting off the prong head and reattaching it
once the wiring is pushed through the hole is surely the way to go.
If the re-wiring is done properly, there will be no 'currency leak.'
You might also consider throwing the sides of the bowls a bit higher,
then cut out a U-shaped piece from the lip of the bowl, wide and deep
enough to act as a channel for the cord. Thus there would be no
unsightly cord hanging OVER the bowl lip. The U-cut would define the
'back' of the fountain.
Good luck!
-- Judith Enright
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Fountain Wiring
Author: WACKY at Internet
Date: 12/16/97 9:45 AM
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hi Clayart frens,
I am in the middle of constructing my mini table top fountains out of
thrown bowls (either used in singles or in assemblage)
However, there is a difficulty in which I have not been able to resolve
satisfactorily :
1. I do not wish to see the wire of the fountain pump hanging
over the rims of my basic bowl which is expected to contain the
pump. It is unsightly.
The best solution I have come up with so far is to drill a hole at the
bottom of the bowl to let out the wire of the pump, before sealing it
up with silicon rubber. However, I realized that the plug head of the
pump is completely moulded as a single piece. If I were to carry out
based on the above, I have to make a fairly big hole about 4 cm in diameter.
This is a great discount for the humble-sized bowl I am making. (approx.
35cm in diameter)
One alternative is to forego the original plug head. But I am afraid that
snipping the wire at the tip and rejoining it with another plug head may
be dangerous as the wiring may leak out the current.
I wonder if any of you can help me with this problem. I will be really
grateful to your suggestions and advice.
Yen
STRESSED!!!!!!
------->>>>>>>SOS<<<<<<<<-------
student NIE Singapore
PATTYDAV on wed 17 dec 97
Hey! I recently finished a fountain commission (my first fountain). I had
similar concerns about the cord, so rather than put a hole in the pot and risk
leaking, I designed the fountain with a fold of clay through which the cord
neatly snakes under, and then over the edge without being seen. The plug never
enters into the fold, so it only needs to accomodate the cord itself.
Also, please remember to make a loop at the lowest point of the cord and
tieing to itself to allow water that may "climb" to drop to the floor rather
than reach the outlet.
Good Luck!! Patty
Scott B. Earl on thu 18 dec 97
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Yen,
>
> I thought there was an outstanding idea recently for fountain pumps. The
> suggestion was to cut the wire, so the hole will be fairly small where it
> passes through the pot (just the thickness of the wire), and wire a switch
> onto the cut ends to join them back together. I also didn't like the idea of
> rewiring a plug, but a switch is such a great idea. It's always a pain to have
> to remove the plug and then re-plug every time you use an appliance. This way,
> the customer can use a plug-in that doesn't have to be accessible all the
> time, behind a dresser or night stand (yes, some people use fountains to lull
> them to sleep).
>
> They do make switches that are fairly easy to wire, I have used them for
> hanging lights in the past.
>
> Lynne Antone
> Olympia WA
OK, at last something I feel qualified to comment on.
I don't feel comfortable with this solution. The
combination of water, electricity, possible mis-application
of electrical components, and aftermarket modifications of
the components adds up to a hazard to users and, if
nothing else, a real liability nightmare.
All of these items (cords, pumps, switches, etc.) have been
tested for compliance to the appropriate product safety
standards and have been deemed safe for use in their
intended application. Once you cut that cord and wire in
the switch, all bets are off.
I wish I had an alternative solution to give you, but I
would strongly recommend that you don't use this approach.
From a former lurker,
______________________________________
Best Regards,
Scott B. Earl
Communication Certification Laboratory
801.972.6146
sbe@cclab.com
______________________________________
Ron Wright on thu 18 dec 97
Cut a hole in the bottom or somewhere not visible large enough for the
plug, then form an indentation or tunnel on the bottom to allow the cord
to exit from the side. I have also made a hole large enough for the plug
on the bottom and then cut a slot from the hole to the side of the pot
to allow tha cord to exit from the side. Most water pumps have a
waterproof cord and plug, don't mess with this unless you have lots of
liability insurance.
Ron Wright
Shiresham Pottery
Chicago - http://www.concentric.net/~wrright
Judith Enright wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I'm not sure I'd want to rig the pump so "permanently" in the
> fountain. Wha happens if the pump fails sometime down the line -- do
> you really want the customer to have to undo/redo all the work? Also,
> cleaning the fountain becomes cumbersome if one is having to deal with
> a pump and cord that can't be removed. However, if you're committed
> to doing it this way, cutting off the prong head and reattaching it
> once the wiring is pushed through the hole is surely the way to go.
> If the re-wiring is done properly, there will be no 'currency leak.'
>
> You might also consider throwing the sides of the bowls a bit higher,
> then cut out a U-shaped piece from the lip of the bowl, wide and deep
> enough to act as a channel for the cord. Thus there would be no
> unsightly cord hanging OVER the bowl lip. The U-cut would define the
> 'back' of the fountain.
>
> Good luck!
>
> -- Judith Enright
>
> ______________________________ Reply Separator _______________________________
> Subject: Fountain Wiring
> Author: WACKY at Internet
> Date: 12/16/97 9:45 AM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> Hi Clayart frens,
>
> I am in the middle of constructing my mini table top fountains out of
> thrown bowls (either used in singles or in assemblage)
> However, there is a difficulty in which I have not been able to resolve
> satisfactorily :
>
> 1. I do not wish to see the wire of the fountain pump hanging
> over the rims of my basic bowl which is expected to contain the
> pump. It is unsightly.
>
> The best solution I have come up with so far is to drill a hole at the
> bottom of the bowl to let out the wire of the pump, before sealing it
> up with silicon rubber. However, I realized that the plug head of the
> pump is completely moulded as a single piece. If I were to carry out
> based on the above, I have to make a fairly big hole about 4 cm in diameter.
> This is a great discount for the humble-sized bowl I am making. (approx.
> 35cm in diameter)
>
> One alternative is to forego the original plug head. But I am afraid that
> snipping the wire at the tip and rejoining it with another plug head may
> be dangerous as the wiring may leak out the current.
>
> I wonder if any of you can help me with this problem. I will be really
> grateful to your suggestions and advice.
>
> Yen
> STRESSED!!!!!!
> ------->>>>>>>SOS<<<<<<<<-------
> student NIE Singapore
Pranton on mon 22 dec 97
Scott,
Thanks for the feedback and serious comments about liabilities. I have
searched my archives for the original idea to add the switch, I think it was
from a partnership of two men. If you're still out there, did you have any
solutions to the concerns mentioned by Scott? I really like the idea of using
a switch for convenience sake, but anything not safe for general use gives me
the shakes.
Lynne Antone
Olympia WA
Had my lymph nodes removed yesterday, feel pretty good, no pain pills since
yesterday. Results next week from pathology. What a great group, ClayArt, so
many messages and well wishes.
> I thought there was an outstanding idea recently for fountain pumps. The
suggestion was to cut the wire...and wire a switch...It's always a pain to
have
to remove the plug and then re-plug every time you use an appliance.
Lynne Antone Olympia WA>
>>>OK, at last something I feel qualified to comment on. I don't feel
comfortable with this solution. The combination of water, electricity,
possible mis-application of electrical components, and aftermarket
modifications of the components adds up to a hazard to users and, if nothing
else, a real liability nightmare...Once you cut that cord and wire in the
switch, all bets are off. I wish I had an alternative solution to give you,
but I would strongly recommend that you don't use this approach. Scott B. Earl
>>>
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