Diy Energy Free Waterers

chrisl · #1 08/12/12, 06:30 AM

Any one out there built their own energy free waterer, I would be interested in pictures and plans. I've looked at tire tanks and considering building some of them but has anyone built waterers out of other materials or methods. Thanks

topside1 · #2 08/12/12, 07:56 AM

Here's my energy free waterer....Just needs cleaning from time to time, only a little energy required....Topside

Diy Energy Free Waterers - Cattle

linn · #3 08/12/12, 02:05 PM

DH has an excavation business. He has installed several "tire" waterers, either behind a pond or connected to water source. I guess those connected to a well would not be "energy free" but those behind the pond are energy free.

MO_cows · #4 08/12/12, 02:28 PM

I saw one where someone took a rubbermaid type tank, built a wood box around it with several inches to spare and filled the space with insulating foam. Then put a plywood top on it, with just a cutout for the critters to drink. Claimed it was freeze-proof. They were using it for horses. Cattle are rougher on stuff, so we haven't tried it. But if the electric tank heaters keep failing every year or two, we just might.

genebo · #5 08/12/12, 05:49 PM

I dug a hole and put a Rubbermaid 100 gallon tank in it so the rim was about 2" above the ground line. I ran a 1" water line from the pond to bottom feed an automatic valve. The valve fits a pre-cut hole in the bottom of the tank and has a float attached with a nylon cord. Works just like a toilet valve.

The water from the pond is gravity fed. It took a bit of work to get the siphon action started, but once it got going it kept going for years, until a drought dried the pond up.

The water lines were all dug below the frost line. They never froze. The exposed water in the tank sometimes froze, but was always thawed by mid-morning. The ground temperature at the bottom of the tank is 54 degrees year-round.

I have three watering stations. The cattle like this one the best. I think it's because it always has a layer of moss on the sides. I think the moss makes the water taste sweeter.

Faith Farm · #6 08/12/12, 09:37 PM

A friend and I were talking about this subject today wondering how we can water our livestock, get water to the house and barns.
A ram pump drawing water from an existing well, running down hill 35+ feet below well height then pump water back up hill to a 300 gal holding tank @ house. Gravity feed to house lines. Do the same for the barn, and inline waterers for livestock? The ram pump return would be to the well. The idea is theory right now as we just talked about it today. Are there any thoughts or ideas out there?

agmantoo · #7 08/12/12, 09:52 PM

Faith Farm

Unless the existing well is an artesian well you will have to pump water to the ram. If you are going to pump water then you do not need the ram. If you have an elevated year round spring at an elevated height then that would be your best option IMO going with a gravity setup. I worked a gravity system for a lady in western NC and she was most satisfied. The gravity system fed her home with both gravity water and pressure water plus a pasture.

myersfarm · #8 08/12/12, 10:46 PM

I see what your trying to do but

A ram pump drawing water from an exsisting well, running down hill 35+ feet below well height then pump water back up hill to a 300 gal holding tank @ house.

why not just pump water into 300 gal tank

Faith Farm · #9 08/12/12, 10:58 PM

The idea is to drop a 2" line into the 25 foot hand dug well, pump water to ram pump to start then let suction take over. Theory, not known fact.
This will be a back up water scource once power is lost and to keep 350 gal home tank refilled during daily use.

myersfarm · #10 08/12/12, 11:10 PM

that will work if you have each step down hill from the previous point as in well WATER DEPTH is above ram pump then tank is below that

agmantoo · #11 08/12/12, 11:10 PM

What is the recharge rate of the hand dug well?

Faith Farm · #12 08/12/12, 11:19 PM

Not sure but it was my main source 7 years ago, it is an old well. Before I use this well I'll need to check it. Now would be a good time with the lack of rain.

Faith Farm · #13 08/12/12, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

that will work if you have each step down hill from the previous point as in well WATER DEPTH is above ram pump then tank is below that

myersfarm,
What do you mean," each step down hill from the previous point as in well WATER DEPTH is above ram pump then tank is below that"?

There is a 50ft+ slope to the base of my grazing feild next to house where pump will lie then pump back uphill to house tank.

myersfarm · #14 08/12/12, 11:34 PM

what will power the pump back up hill

chrisl · #15 08/13/12, 06:11 AM

Thanks everyone for your ideas, I'm not worried about the water delivery being energy free as a matter of fact I'm hooking up to a well, I looking for and energy free (ie non-heated) waterer

sammyd · #16 08/13/12, 07:29 AM

I made a box around a galvanized tank and filled the space with pink foam board insulation.
On one of the long sides I put in a window and painted the waterer black to absorb heat from the sun.
I put a cover over the tank with a smaller hole for the animals to drink through.
Didn't trust it though and put a heater in the tank as well. The electric bill was somewhat lower than the previous year but not energy free by any means.
But we are in WI and it gets pretty darn cold around here. further south it may do the trick.

myersfarm · #17 08/13/12, 10:38 AM

this is made to work anywere but I have thought of using 30 gallon barrels instead..I do have the steel pipe but I cut that in half for feeders

THERMOSINK - energy efficient livestock watering system - Cattle Creek Ranch Ltd.

Awnry Abe · #18 08/13/12, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

this is made to work anywere but I have thought of using 30 gallon barrels instead..I do have the steel pipe but I cut that in half for feeders

THERMOSINK - energy efficient livestock watering system - Cattle Creek Ranch Ltd.

Those look like they would fill with muck. ?

Faith Farm · #19 08/14/12, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

what will power the pump back up hill

myersfarm, I believe the ram pump could pump the water back uphill to the house holding tank then return to well below. This is all theory from what I've read.
This system is to be used as a back up when power is lost. It may also be used for my livestock on this side of the farm.
The other thought might be to go with a solar well pump and not deal with repriming the pump when the flow get interupted, trenching, building a hut to protect against livestock damage, etc...

myersfarm · #20 08/14/12, 09:15 AM

before you did it I would do a small scale with a garden hose off roof of house ....do not see how it could flow uphill to the same point