please help me so confused

[kimmerjo]

thank you so much that's is much easier to understand.

 

[LoneOak]

Quote: Fiddlebanshee, the little lip on the horizontal nipples really has nothing to do with how much water flows into or out of them. The stainless steel nipple is spring loaded and seals with an o-ring on the inside. You must have some way engineered into your reservoir for air to enter to keep the water flowing properly, no air enters the system back through the nipples. It only has to be a tiny hole or you could leave the top just a little loose anything to keep the air flowing in. The little lip on the nipples is just a collection spot for a little water to gather giving the birds a little extra drink without having to peck at the nipple. I wish I had an extra one so I could take a closeup picture so you could see. They are maybe the best thing ever made for watering chickens but it is better if every one understands how they work! I'll send Rich a PM and see if he has anything else to contribute.

 

[Rich386]

Quote: Here is something that works and no you don't need a vacuum to stop the water. Look at the sketch in your case just leave out the float valve. The water will flow as long as the supply is higher than the nipple run. The second picture was taken two plus years after the install. The third shows the nipple they are spring loaded so self seal. The seat is a small O-ring that assures a positive seal and no leaks. The small cup just catches the drips and has nothing to do with them drinking. If you need more info. send me a PM I'll be glad to help or put you in touch with several customers that have these.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

@loneoak if you read my post again you will see I was not talking about nipples. I was talking about how the traditional vacuum waterers work. The OP had clearly stated she didn't want a nipple system so I was trying to explain why a pvc pipe with holes like that would not work.

 

[Rich386]

@loneoak if you read my post again you will see I was not talking about nipples. I was talking about how the traditional vacuum waterers work. The OP had clearly stated she didn't want a nipple system so I was trying to explain why a pvc pipe with holes like that would not work.

Water seeks it's own level. The only way I can see to eliminate nipples. Set up a supply tank that gravity feeds to a small reserve tank with a low pressure float valve at the same level as the pipe. This would work but it just seems a lot harder than it has to be.

 

[LoneOak]

Quote: hopefully we will get this all straightened out for kimmerjo so she can get something she will be happy with. I thought since you had just posted after we were talking about the nipples that you were talking about them too. We all agree that an open system will not work and will continue to flow until you create a vacumn and only let water out when air enters. The nipples won't work with a vacumn and must have a way for air to enter the system above the water level. It is a gravity feed system and as long as the water is above the nipples the water will flow because you allow air to enter above the water level. Notice how Rich shows a small vent hole in his container drawing above the water level.

I do believe that when we are trying to explain how something works we all need to be more precise on the details of what we are describing and I am just as guilty as anyone. When we explain something from two or three post back please make sure we say that, so people don't assume that we are talking about the post just above.

 

[kimmerjo]

Thank you all so much everyone helped now just so I get it this ...I'm going to have a 55 gal barrel with a sealed lid with a hole at the top in the side for air.. about 2 in from the bottom put my supply line going into the coop where PVC pipe will have nipples attached... Cap on the end... Right?

 

[kimmerjo]

One more ? It get cold here and I don't have electric to the coop any suggestions on how to keep it from freezing?

 

[Rich386]

Thank you all so much everyone helped now just so I get it this ...I'm going to have a 55 gal barrel with a sealed lid with a hole at the top in the side for air.. about 2 in from the bottom put my supply line going into the coop where PVC pipe will have nipples attached... Cap on the end... Right?

You got it!!! Here is a picture you are looking from the caped end. Look close in the back you can see the hose coming from the supply tank. Keep in mind the higher the tank the more pressure it only needs to be higher than the nipples to work.

 

[MelissaTXRn]

I drilled a small hole at the top of the cooler, I wasn't sure if it needed one or not. It is very small, nothing can get in or out but air.