We've had some decent (but still cold - Winter just won't let go!) weather. Progress continued on the new waterfall. The next series of shots are of the waterfall/filter unit installation.
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1 shows the supply inlet and drain lines attached and the beginning of backfilling. The flexible PVC lines are glued to threaded couplings that were screwed into the filter unit's brass inlet and drain holes. The holes can be seen in the last pic in post #15. The drain is at the bottom. The supply is curling around the front of the filter. 2. Once enough backfill was in place to keep the filter from shifting, the inlet line was buried in its final position. 3. A drywell was dug for the filter drain line. The drain line allows the filter unit to be backwashed for cleaning.
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4. Here the drywell hole is lined with perforated poly weed cloth and filled with stone. The drain valve can be seen in the valve box. 5. Thick landscape felt is laid over the drywell to keep silt from filtering into the underlying stone. 6 & 7. The wall was extended around the valve box. The finished height is about level with the filter outfall. After backfilling, it will give a more natural looking effect to the waterfall.
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There is a possibility the drain won't flow freely enough to allow cleaning of the filter unit. If necessary I can uncover the drain outlet to let it flow onto the lawn unimpeded.
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The supply line trench is dug from the isolation valve to where the line will cross under the original stream bed. The bed liner has been cleared of stone so the supply line can be more easily slid underneath the liner.
9. Here the supply line has now passed below the original stream bed. And, most of the stone has been replaced. The supply line trench has been backfilled where the line passed under the stream. The supply line can just be seen snaking between the roadbed and stone outcropping supporting the right side of the bridge.
If you look carefully a black wire can be seen below the Kuoni boxcar. This is a low-voltage line that was passed under the original stream bed with the new waterfall supply line. It connects to the 12V low-voltage lighting for the original water feature. It will supply power for lighting the new waterfall. I may also tap into this to provide building lighting for future lineside structures rather than use the rails for power. The 60w power supply has plenty of extra juice available. The twisted green and red wires are 12 AWG supply lines that will bring rail power from a booster yet to be purchased. It will supply power to the future track loop off the wye. The wires will eventually be connected to a terminal block in the gray junction box on the back wall.
10. Here's a view from the back wall showing where the new supply line and waterfall/filter unit inlet line will be connected up. I'll be finishing the plumbing tomorrow and the line will be buried. That will complete the most difficult aspect of installing the new waterfall - connecting up to my existing water feature. I'll be able to take some time finishing up the details.
The existing water feature will be usable while I complete construction. I may even take a chance that Ol' Man Winter is finally gone and put the pump back in this week!
Phil S.
1
2 
3 
1 shows the supply inlet and drain lines attached and the beginning of backfilling. The flexible PVC lines are glued to threaded couplings that were screwed into the filter unit's brass inlet and drain holes. The holes can be seen in the last pic in post #15. The drain is at the bottom. The supply is curling around the front of the filter. 2. Once enough backfill was in place to keep the filter from shifting, the inlet line was buried in its final position. 3. A drywell was dug for the filter drain line. The drain line allows the filter unit to be backwashed for cleaning.
4
5 
6 
4. Here the drywell hole is lined with perforated poly weed cloth and filled with stone. The drain valve can be seen in the valve box. 5. Thick landscape felt is laid over the drywell to keep silt from filtering into the underlying stone. 6 & 7. The wall was extended around the valve box. The finished height is about level with the filter outfall. After backfilling, it will give a more natural looking effect to the waterfall.
7
There is a possibility the drain won't flow freely enough to allow cleaning of the filter unit. If necessary I can uncover the drain outlet to let it flow onto the lawn unimpeded.
8
The supply line trench is dug from the isolation valve to where the line will cross under the original stream bed. The bed liner has been cleared of stone so the supply line can be more easily slid underneath the liner.9. Here the supply line has now passed below the original stream bed. And, most of the stone has been replaced. The supply line trench has been backfilled where the line passed under the stream. The supply line can just be seen snaking between the roadbed and stone outcropping supporting the right side of the bridge.
If you look carefully a black wire can be seen below the Kuoni boxcar. This is a low-voltage line that was passed under the original stream bed with the new waterfall supply line. It connects to the 12V low-voltage lighting for the original water feature. It will supply power for lighting the new waterfall. I may also tap into this to provide building lighting for future lineside structures rather than use the rails for power. The 60w power supply has plenty of extra juice available. The twisted green and red wires are 12 AWG supply lines that will bring rail power from a booster yet to be purchased. It will supply power to the future track loop off the wye. The wires will eventually be connected to a terminal block in the gray junction box on the back wall.
10. Here's a view from the back wall showing where the new supply line and waterfall/filter unit inlet line will be connected up. I'll be finishing the plumbing tomorrow and the line will be buried. That will complete the most difficult aspect of installing the new waterfall - connecting up to my existing water feature. I'll be able to take some time finishing up the details.
The existing water feature will be usable while I complete construction. I may even take a chance that Ol' Man Winter is finally gone and put the pump back in this week!
Phil S.
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Wood glue by the gallon is pretty cheap at the local HD or Lowes. I just haven't got a round TUIT. Anybody out there got a spare?
