While a fully functional water pump used to draw water from an underground well requires a lot of material, equipment, and technical know-how, you can build your own mini-water pump as a do it yourself project.You'll need a soldering iron, a small strip of sheet metal, and a bicycle spoke to make the pump.
Step 1: One of the branches of a tee sockets has a pipe inside it.
Take a 10 in (25 cm) long, 1 inch (2.5 cm), diameter PVC pipe and slide it into one of the branch openings of a 1inch ( 2.5 cm).The run opening is the single opening that branches into 2, so if you push the pipe far enough into the tee sockets you can hold it securely.To fit the tee sockets, you'll need to warm up the end of the pipe in hot water.Look for pipes and tee sockets in hardware stores, home improvement stores and online.
Step 2: There is a long pipe in the run of the tee sockets.
Take a smaller length of pipe and slide it into the run opening after the longer pipe has been fitted.It shouldn't be flush against the back wall of the tee sockets if you push it far enough.The water won't flow through the tee sockets if you put the pipe too far into it.
Step 3: Cut sheet metal to fit the pipe.
Place a strip of sheet metal on top of the pipe.To trace the size of the pipe over the piece of metal, use a marker.To trim the metal to size, take a pair of tin snips or wire cutter.Make sure the piece of metal fits by putting it in and out of the pipe.The sheet metal will be used to drive the pump.
Step 4: The metal's outer edges should be clipped to make a propeller.
Take a pair of tin snips or wire cutter and clip the outer edges of the piece of metal to the center.Make 6 cuts around the metal, then pry the edges up so they form a raised, propeller-like shape.To pry the edges up slightly, use your fingers or tin snips.
Step 5: Attach a bicycle spoke through the center of the metal.
Find the center of the piece of sheet metal and punch a hole through it with a centerpunch, nail, or another sharp object.If you want the sheet metal to be on the end of the spoke, you have to slide it through the hole.Attach the spoke to the top and bottom of the sheet metal with solder.Before attaching the sheet metal to the bicycle spoke, you should practice soldering.At craft supply stores and online, you can find soldering irons.Bicycle spokes can be found at bicycle repair shops and online.
Step 6: There is a bicycle spoke and a rotor.
Take a 12V DC motor and connect it to the other end of the bicycle spoke.Use a soldering iron to solder onto the end of the spoke.Make sure the rotor is securely attached by allowing the solder to cool completely.If the bicycle is curved at the end, use a pair of wire cutters to clip off the curve so it is straight.At hobby shops that sell parts for remote-controlled airplanes and vehicles, as well as online, you can find a rotor for a 12V DC motor.
Step 7: To fit the end of the motor, you have to drill a hole.
Place the end of the 12V DC motor with the small rod that the rotor fits onto against a sheet of plastic at least 8 inch (0.32 cm) thick and trace the outline of it with a marker.Attach a bit that matches the size of the outline on the plastic with a power drill.To create an opening for your motor, drill through the plastic.To create a tighter seal, the motor needs to fit into the piece of plastic.Thin squares of plastic can be found at hardware stores and online.
Step 8: Take the end of the motor and put it in the slot.
Attach the motor to the plastic opening by drilling a hole and using a glue gun to apply hot glue.Put pressure on the motor to hold it in place for 10 seconds so glue can stick to it.The glue will help keep water out of the motor.Hot glue and hot glue guns can be found at craft supply stores.
Step 9: The motor should be inserted into the opening on the rotor.
Take the small rod from the end of the motor and put it into the opening on the bicycle spoke.To securely connect them, push them together or tighten the rotor.The motor's rotors may snap into place.
Step 10: Glue the open branch of the tee sockets to the impeller.
Once the glue is dry, slide the end of the bicycle spoke into the open branch.Press the plastic sheet against the branch sockets with the motor attached to it.If you want it to stick, hold it in place for 10 seconds.Allow the glue to dry for a while.The glue creates a tight seal when applied to the motor and tee joint.
Step 11: Attach the red and black wires to the battery.
There are wires on the back of your motor.The positive terminal on the 12V battery will have a plus sign on it if you connect the red wire to it.The negative terminal will have a minus symbol on it if you connect the black wire to it.The motor will turn the blade in the pipe.
Step 12: Place the end of the pipe in the water.
When the pump has power from the battery, stick the end of the pipe with the blade into the water.The water will be pulled out by the blade and pushed through the opening of the tee sockets.As long as you want to pump it out, hold the pump in the water.To test your pump, use a small swimming pool or bucket of water.Don't submerge the motor.The black and red wires need to be disconnected before the pump can be turned on.