Watering Cup brackets cracking *Solved*

[G-Man]

Does anyone have any experience with this type of watering cup?



I purchased 6 of these with the brackets and have had 3 of the 4 brackets I connected crack. This is fairly unusual for PVC to crack this easily. I know it is susceptible to exposure to sunlight over time, but these are brittle right out of package.

I've read where other people have had issues too. It appears that it has just been the white brackets that have been cracking.
I noticed Cutler supply is carrying a black version of the bracket does anyone have any experience with these?
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_60_63&products_id=491

I went to my local builder supply house, they had fittings like the one in the this image from "clanreed" but they were $8 a piece.


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[SweetSarah]

I have not had any trouble with the black brackets. www.beaktime.com has them.
You can also try going directly into the pipe with the cups.

 

[G-Man]

I have not had any trouble with the black brackets. www.beaktime.com has them.
You can also try going directly into the pipe with the cups.

That's where I bought the cups and the white brackets originally. I'm happy to see they are carrying the black ones now.
Thank you for the link and your comments.

 

[G-Man]

All of this is pretty much a mute point, as Beak Time was very quick in responding and extremely helpful with my inquiry regarding the cracked brackets. I'll be receiving the replacements this week! Excellent customer service! On a Sunday even!!
If you are reading... Thank you very much Beak Time staff!


I set up a few images of what I did to remedy the cracking issue and thought I would share. It was a lot cheaper than the buying the brass plug I found at the hardware store. I started by digging around in my toolbox and found several NPT (National Pipe Thread) taps. I was fortunate enough to find the 1/8" - 27 NPT that the cups require.
The PVC plugs were only .32 cents each. I'm not sure how much the 1/2" T's are. I bought a bag for an irrigation project last year and these are the left overs.

Using SweetSarah's suggestion of drilling directly into the sidewall of the pipe is an excellent idea.
That would be the least expensive method and probably the cleanest looking installation as well.

In the end I'll use the black brackets I receive from Beak Time but this kept me busy and out of trouble this morning.

 

[coolcanoechic]

Nice!

 

[aart]

Thought I'd ask these questions here instead of your coop build thread.
I assume that you glued the tapped cap into the T?
Did you tape the threads before screwing them into the tapped cap?
I also assume that you had no leaks at these connections?
Looks like the orange cups attach with a bayonet type connection, are they easily removed for cleaning without shutting off the water source?

Most important question for me is...do you live in a climate where freezing is an issue??

I really like the looks of this system!

 

[G-Man]

I apologize I didn't see your question on my drinking cup thread.
Your PM is welcomed and definitely the best way to get a quick response.


I assume that you glued the tapped cap into the T? Yes, I used Christy's Red Hot Blue PVC glue. This was the very last thing I did after the entire unit was secured to the wall. I made sure I had the prepared threads on the cup bottomed out to the replacement cap and used a torpedo level to make sure they were all level.

Did you tape the threads before screwing them into the tapped cap? Yes, I used a little Teflon tape and a professional grade pipe dope a plumber turned me onto years ago. "Witlam Blue Magic Pipe Thread Compound" "Where water flows, dope goes!" Ha, ha.. that's what he said and I've always used it since.

I also assume that you had no leaks at these connections? No leaks.

Looks like the orange cups attach with a bayonet type connection, are they easily removed for cleaning without shutting off the water source? You are correct they twist on and off very easily using the bayonet lugs as you mentioned. I added quick shut off valves before the cups just in case.. but I've never needed to use them. That being said, every time I remove the cups I always seem to touch the yellow trigger and water squirts out so I use a small 1 gallon bucket under the cup. Most of the time if I see something in the cup.. I just swipe it out with my finger.

Most important question for me is...do you live in a climate where freezing is an issue??
I live in Northern California and we do get freezing weather, but only a few days a year. I set up an outlet on the outside coop wall next to the outside watering cups. Half the outlet is constantly hot the other is switchable from inside the coop. I originally had a heat cord hardwired but it broke when I installed it. Instead of buying a replacement I decided to wait to see if it was necessary. So far it hasn't been an issue.. On the days we were expecting below 30degrees I added a 1 gallon plastic poultry waterer inside just in case. Wasn't necessary but it made me feel better.


I really like the looks of this system! Thanks, I highly recommend using these cups..
There is a bit of a learning curve for the birds before they understand how to use them, but it makes life a lot easier once they do.


http://www.autowaterkit.com/

The link above is a pretty slick set-up for a very fair price.
The bucket eliminates the use of the low pressure valve which if I remember right cost me about $50 - $60.. just for the valve.
Full disclosure she is a friend of mine.

Okay, probably more information than you wanted.. but that's me.. I'm kinda long winded like that.

Best of luck with your project, I would really like to hear about your progress.

 

[aart]

Thanks! Love the detailed info!

I don't see a place to buy just the cups on that link you posted. I like that you can gravity feed as that's what I was thinking of trying anyway.

 

[G-Man]

Thanks! Love the detailed info!

I don't see a place to buy just the cups on that link you posted. I like that you can gravity feed as that's what I was thinking of trying anyway.

I think AWK sells complete kits.. Did you check out their video? Makes me laugh.

Check Cutler Supply for the watering cups.. I haven't looked in a long time but they had the best price last time I was shopping it out.
You'll have to factor in their shipping costs too.

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_60_63&products_id=489

 

[aart]

I emailed AWK to ask.
Yes, Cutler is much less than Beaktime, didn't go as far as to calculate any shipping differences.
We'll see down the road, if and when I'm ready to institute this system.
But I thank you again for documenting all these details!