Fountain Restoration

Our experience with thousands of fountain projects gives us understanding in the restoration and renovation of existing fountains. Atlantic Fountains is frequently asked to develop solutions to bring systems back into operation and their electrical systems back to code. What follows are a number of mini case studies. In some cases equipment had deteriorated, in others the fountain had never worked correctly from the start or finally, the owners were just bored or frustrated with what they had and wanted a new look. Restoration takes the efforts of plumbers and electricians and may even require the services of a general contractor, architects and engineers. One project below had eleven different companies, consultants and city committees! Atlantic Fountains understands your fountain from the system level and can offer frugal energy conscious solutions.
Botanical conservatory Indianapolis, IN Problem: A broken pipe had flooded the vault, destroying the control electronics. (Note the water line in the picture below!) Controls replacement was estimated at $50,000. The existing control logic was PLC based (programmable logic controller) which prevented the owners from making any changes to the repeating sequence of water and light animation. Solution: The existing PLC was replaced by a $7,000 PC controlled ACCESS system, providing both switched relay and proportional control. Valve actuators with switched inputs were replaced by proportional controls, resulting in a system that was musical as well as owner programmable. The new controls were so compact they fit on the panel door!

Park Fountain Atlantic City, NJ Problem: Bring this 1929 fountain back to its former glory.
Brighton Park Management, Atlantic City Special Improvement District, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Atlantic Cnty Improvement Authority, Historic Building Architects, Princeton Engineering Group, Dr. Gerald Palevsky PE The Lighting Practice, Merrell & Garaguso (GC) Devine Bros (Plumbing), Carr & Duff (Electrical)

Solution: Five variable speed pumps feed new spray components from Atlantic Fountains. The pumps and LED fixtures are run by ACCESS. The jets and spray rings of the new system are fully animated with plans to make it musical when other park improvements are completed.

Electronics store Chicago, IL Problem: The existing computer controls were extremely difficult to program and were subject to frequent system crashes. The difficulty of producing new material meant the same half dozen songs were driving the staff to revolt.

Solution: The existing MIDI based control system was replaced by ACCESS, providing switched relay, proportional pump control and full color control of the 30 new 16 million color LED fixtures. The new system provides full musical control of the five pools and brings a welcome variety in the musical repertoire.

Theme Park Show Fountain Turner, OR Problem: Older show controls made it difficult to keep the performance of this show fountain fresh and exciting. Existing controls allowed only the on/off switched control of lighting.

Solution: A new 96 channel analog interface operated by ACCESS provides proportional control of existing dimmers as well as driving solid state relays for pumps. The system is gradually being changed to LED fixtures

College Fountain Ithaca, NY (in progress) Problem: This 1960s vintage fountain is operated by a single 100hp pump with animation provided by control valves. It consumes full pump power at all times. Adding to this is roughly 30,000 Watts of lighting controlled by a motorized cam switch.

Solution: Sixteen individual variable speed pumps will provide animation and will consume only the power required for the pattern desired. Combined with new high power LED lighting the new system will provide full musical functionality while consuming only 40% of the energy.

Corporate Fountain Jersey City, NJ Problem: The facilities management firm was rather confused by the plethora of pipes in the fountain they were asked to service. The fountain could only run for a short time before it started to overflow!

Solution: Atlantic Fountains reviewed the original construction documents and found an abandoned return line. Along with new multi-point level controls the fountain was tamed and returned to service.

Residential Fountain Escondido, CA Problem: The existing controls of a color sequenced fountain were failing. The owner desired to turn his project into a musical fountain

Solution: The main pump was changed to a variable speed pump. Additional pumps, lights and dimmer controls turned this into a personal show fountain.

Atlantic Fountains is regularly called in as consultants and fabricators in the restoration and renovation of existing fountains. We can reduce your energy consumption through thoughtful design. Whether you need a replacement pump or an advanced control system, we can help. Contact: Atlantic Fountains 225 E. Main St. Clinton CT 06413 (860) 669-1188 (860) 669-4488 FAX

http://www.atlanticfountains.com