Hydro Power 7

The hydro plant is back on line. I couldn't find a solvent-based cement that would fuse both the wheel and buckets. ABS plumbing cement reacted with the wheel, so I used it to "pot" the buckets into the lower wheel, filling all of the voids between the bucket mounting tabs and the wheel assembly. Before putting the top cover back on the assembly, I drizzled cement over the tops of the buckets, then pressed the cover into the layer, latching it into place.

The result is that the wheel and buckets are now one solid piece. Although the cement did not burn into the plastic of the buckets, it does adhere well to them, so they are unable to move.

Putting the plant back into operation, it makes full power (10 whole watts) and now runs much more quietly, with the sound of the water spray and a tiny background hum as the buckets rotate in and out of the stream.

Done for now, next time this needs attention, it will be the end of life for this project and time for a new plant.