DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[perchie.girl]

You know I toyed with the thought of using a range feeder on a timer to deliver the feed into a funnel to a trough... but that would work only for one....

I still have to sketch up my ideas/

 

[KKane61]

Sorry posted in error and can't figure out how to delete the post.

 

[KKane61]

Thats a great idea. I use a similar feeder but with a longer flat section at the bottom with holes in the top.

For my water tanks I have a plastic tube system like mentioned above, except I used 6mm electrical glands to hold the hose in place.



Your flag idea would work a treat for mine too and save me taking the lid off so much!

What size tubing did you use for the water gauge? Where did you get the electrical glands? Are they glued into the jug and, if so, what kind of glue did you use? I am not very handy so any tips you give would be extremely helpful!!

Thanks for any help you can give - this is a great idea and I want to give it a try!

Kim

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hi Kim,

I got the glands (6mm) from an electrical store. Not sure what country you are in but I got them from a store called 'L & H Electrical' Most hardware stores should stock them.

I used 6mm vinyl tube. Drill a hole in the container and pass the threaded part of the gland through the hole. Secure with the supplied washer (like a rubber gasket) and the nut. Then pass the tube through the middle and tighten the outer nut (glad) it will crimp over the hose.

Then test it for leaks.

I didn't use a float or anything, I could normally see the level pretty easy walking past, if in doubt a little tap and I could see the splash in the tube.

This is what they look like at each end.

 

[KKane61]

Hi Kim,

I got the glands (6mm) from an electrical store. Not sure what country you are in but I got them from a store called 'L & H Electrical' Most hardware stores should stock them.

I used 6mm vinyl tube. Drill a hole in the container and pass the threaded part of the gland through the hole. Secure with the supplied washer (like a rubber gasket) and the nut. Then pass the tube through the middle and tighten the outer nut (glad) it will crimp over the hose.

Then test it for leaks.

I didn't use a float or anything, I could normally see the level pretty easy walking past, if in doubt a little tap and I could see the splash in the tube.

This is what they look like at each end.

Thanks, Bens-Hens! I appreciate your detailed response. I love this idea and am going to look for the parts today. One last question on the tubing size - is 6 mm the outer diameter or inner diameter?

Thanks again!

P.S. I am in the U.S.

 

[aart]

Quote: Size doesn't really matter (lol) unless you want to put a bead in there for a level indicator....it's basically a compression fitting for soft hose/tubing.....a good hardware store should be able to get you the hose (I'd go 1/4" I.D.) and fittings.

 

[KKane61]

Size doesn't really matter (lol) unless you want to put a bead in there for a level indicator....it's basically a compression fitting for soft hose/tubing.....a good hardware store should be able to get you the hose (I'd go 1/4" I.D.) and fittings.

They must call them something else in the U.S. because I went to a hardware store and called an electrical supply store and they both had no idea what I was asking for!!

Does anyone know what they are called in the U.S.?

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
in the US they are called a connectors or bulkhead fitting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_gland

"A cable gland (in the U.S. more often known as a cable connector or fitting) is a device designed to attach and secure the end of a cable to the equipment.[1] A cable gland provides strain-relief and connects by a means suitable for the type and description of cable for which it is designed—including provision for making electrical connection to the armour or braid and lead or aluminium sheath of the cable, if any. Cable glands may also be used for sealing cables passing through bulkheads[2] or gland plates."

Here is a source at Amazon Waterproof Gland fittings

deb

 

[Bens-Hens]

As the above have said they are compression glands, as in they will compress down over a range of sizes. With the outside nut loose, the internal hole is biggest and with the nut done up tight the internal hole is smallest, so as long as the tube fits in there when teh nut is loose, and the tube is pinched when the nut is done up it's sized correctly.

I bought the glands/fittings and then took them to the local hardware to make sure the hose fit. Hose was 6mm external. You could use 1/4" or whatever is available to you, just make sure you have the correct fit.

If you are back in the electrical store (electrician supply not electronics type store) show them a pic and as soon as they see it they should know what you are after.

 

[Mehjr10]

You can go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy two of these and tubing to go with it. Drill the hole about 1/32 under size and thread it in, then attach the tubing to the hose barb end.