Shishi Odoshi "Deer Scarer" Japanese Water Fountain - Fully Working

thingiverse

I was recently in the Portland Japanese Garden where I saw a pleasant Shishi Odoshi fountain. It fills with water until it tips over and dumps the water out, making a noise that's meant to scare away deer that might otherwise eat your meticulously manicured garden. I was inspired to try to create a miniaturized, indoor-scale version, complete with pump and reservoir so it really works - right on your desk! The basic theory of operation is simple: the main tube is weighted below the hinge and hollow above the hinge. Though the top is longer than the bottom, it still weighs less than the bottom when it's empty, so the tube sits upright. As the top of the tube fills with water, it eventually weighs more than the bottom, upsetting the balance and tipping over. The water spills out, the tube rights itself and the cycle begins again. My design has a reservoir below the tube that holds about a cup (1/4 liter) of water and a small pump that cycles the water back up to the tube. Here's a [video of the fountain operating!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCCem1-N0d4)