The water purification control chip is the cornerstone of the Vault-Tec Industries water purification systems installed in Vaults.
Background
The chip that controls the system is a fine example of 21st century electronics. It is a large circuit board with embedded vacuum tubes that regulates the filtration systems inside the water purifier and monitors the output for signs of contamination.[1][2] While the water chip can be jury-rigged for small scale water purification,[3] it is specifically designed to interface with Vault water computers (via a specific slot and jack; the chip still requires independent power supply through its own cord), making it useless for large scale water purification without a Vault.[4]
While it is theoretically designed to last, the chips were manufactured by a low-bid contractor, resulting in poor quality and a high failure rate. Such was the case with Vault 13 in 2161, exacerbated by the fact that the process was too complicated for a workaround system.[5] Perhaps that is the reason they came in boxes with five chips each.[6]
Fortunately, the chips are interchangeable and work in any Vault water computer, they just require a self-test and reboot after connecting.[7]
Characteristics
Despite being referred to as a chip, the in-game visuals of the device, both the 3D rendering and the background circuit diagram, indicate that it is built entirely using thermionic valves, not even discrete transistors, in the traditional style of such '50s technology, as a metal box chassis with protruding glass vacuum tubes; the "chip" may not actually contain any silicon at all. The name is also slightly misleading in that the chip itself does not produce or process water, but controls other equipment that does.
Locations
Vault 12's command center, in a computer.- A grand total of 420 chips can be found on the second floor of Vault 8, in crates in certain rooms that can only be opened with a high Lockpick or Strength.
- One can be found in a locked footlocker in Vault 13.
Behind the scenes
- Technically, the water chip is not a chip at all. The term is reserved for devices using integrated circuits, an invention that has never really caught on by 2077, printed on circuit boards. The water "chip" is a large processing unit built on a full metal chassis with thermionic vacuum tubes.
- The blueprint shown in the background of the intro is actually a schematic diagram for a Moog synthesizer.[8]
- In Fallout 2, the Guardian of Forever special encounter allows the player to break the water chip and set the events of Fallout in motion.
Gallery
This is the computer one wants to search in Vault 12's command center
Water chip in the footlocker on the right in Vault 13's command center- ↑ Kane: "{156}{}{A water chip? Never heard of it, we only sell drinks. Go see Bob's Iguana Bits, if you're hungry.}"
The Vault Dweller: "{157}{}{It's an electronic device that regulates the filtering system of a water purifier and monitors the output for any contamination. Mine's broken and I'm looking for a replacement.}"
(KANE.MSG) - ↑ PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout): "{5500}{}{Water Chip}"
"{5501}{}{A water purification control computer system chip. Looks suprisingly like the chip that your Vault needs.}" - ↑ Vault 101 terminals: "Experiment PP216: After "borrowing" a few more water chips and rerouting some of the power here in the clinic, I've finally been able to affect the latest sample. It's not much, but considering what I have to work with it, a definite step in the right direction."
- ↑ The Vault Dweller: "{104}{}{Do you have a water chip?}"
Martha Rastello: "{112}{}{Water chip... hmm. Oh, those old Vault purifying control chips. Well, I'm sure I speak for the entire town when I say you won't find one here. Without the proper equipment they're worthless. Only a Vault, or maybe Necropolis would have any use for one. Why do you ask?}"
(MSTMERCH.MSG) - ↑ The Vault Dweller: "{105}{}{Do you have a water chip?}"
Paul: "{134}{}{A Water Chip? The ones from the old Vault-Tec shelters?}"
The Vault Dweller: "{135}{}{Yes!.. Do you have one?}"
"{136}{}{No. Those things were junk, they were prone to failure. We don’t deal with purifying our own water here. We have water delivered by caravans from the Hub.}"
(PAUL.MSG) - ↑ PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2): "{5500}{}{Water Chip}"
"{5501}{}{This is a Vault-Tec water chip. They are typically packaged in groups of five to a box.}" - ↑ Jacoren: "{156}{Over_31}{Okey-dokey. One moment, the chip is initializing. Here - here - here - There it goes . . . Self-test is green . . . re-boot is good . . . Hah! It's working! And it looks like we have a winner! Haha! [The overseer sighs with relief.] You -- you've saved us. You've done it!}"
(OVER.MSG) - ↑ RPG Codex interview with Leonard Boyarsky
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||