Water supply to 4h anaimals project.

BryanM · Mar 8, 2009

I may need some ideas on this project, I have a barn that is off grid (no electrical service) and is going to house livestock. I am looking to use auto waterers foranimals. I think I could get away with a storage water tank an dc rv water pump, piping and auto water dispensers! And off course a deep cycle battery. Any body ever have any setup like this? another setup is just gravity feed the auto water dispensers but I can only get the tank about 8 feet high which is about 5 feet higher than any watering dispensers.

Anyone have any ideas? or have a set up like either these? thanks

JoeL4330 · Mar 8, 2009

sounds like you and gravity have the answer ...5 ft. of "head" should be fine ...and, you could always lower the waterers some ...after all, animals evolved to drink from water at their feet, no?

Treemonkey1000 · Mar 8, 2009

I am with Joel. Keep it simple if you can. A tank that high up should give a decent amount of pressure to push water. Will the tank be refreshed enough so that the water doesn't stagnate and collect mosquitos and bugs?

BryanM · Mar 8, 2009

I think it will only take 3 to 4 days to empty depending on many varibles (weather; heat; etc..) I am looking for tanks now maybe 55 gal plastic or rv tank I dont know? thanks keep the ideas comments coming?

tatra805 · Mar 8, 2009

Not a pro farmer in any way so maybe my remarks are not appropriate.

I advise against automatic watering systems in remote areas.

It might give you peace of mind that the animals do have water available all the time but it doesnt take a lot of time to become lazy with this system and skip on the daily visits at the barn.

Also you have no idea about water consumption (nor how much each animal drinks, but that is more in case of individual stabling) or the water quality.

From experience i know it can take some (too long) time to notice something goes wrong in the water supply. Keep that in mind in your design.

Another note is that your groundwater source is also very fluctuating in quality / substance depending on saison, rainfall, etc etc. Open wells show this very nicely. This means that your water tank can hold water that one period will be stable for longer time than in other periods.
You will need close monitoring for some time before you get a feeling with the conditons and needs.

If you put your piping, or keep it short, very short, or do not make the mistake to put 2 valves in the line. Sun will heat it and burst your pipes or connection points. (been there) Winter being a complerte different thing.

2cents only

2manyrocks · Mar 8, 2009

Get a very large tank, elevate it, and connect it to a float watering shut off valve in a stock tank. Pick a tank with large enough capacity that your livestock won't run out of water in between time you check on them. The problem will be them running out of water when you don't expect it and replenishing their water supply. I guess you could haul in 55 gallon drums and transfer the water, but there's the question of what kind of vehicle do you have to haul it. The other problem will be freezing temperatures.

Guess this is why people dig ponds.

I wouldn't rely on a battery powered pump in this kind of system because the battery will be a continual discharge-recharge issue.

mikeymik'd · Mar 9, 2009

The sun is your friend!

Solar-Powered Livestock Watering Systems

There are also pumps out there that work off of the animal "pumping" with their noses....

simplicityguy92 · Mar 9, 2009

id just go with the old fashined way, a bucket and water troughs. if the auto waters die and ur not home that could be a problem

BryanM · Mar 9, 2009

well either way you look at it I will half to have 2 tanks. One for livestock supply and one to replenish the tank.

I was shying away from watering troughs for a couple reasons. (wasted water, cleanliness, ease of cleaning, and room).

I am not sure on the reliabilty of a rv water pump and battery. was thinking that maybe a solar powerd charger for a deep cycle batt with high reserve. since it looks like a rv pump usually on average draws 5 amps. I am still working numbers.

another thought was a tank for water storage and adding a bladder tank too that. Causing a bit more pressure to the tank with water storage.

Surly someone out their has auto waterers that is powered by off grid supply?

dynasim · Mar 9, 2009

Your really only need a couple inches of elevation difference(it can be even), because the water level in the tank will only go up as it is filled. You don't need significant pressure to activate the self filling feeders.

Depending on how you are going to fill the tank, you may want to go much bigger. They have 200-500 gallon closed top Plastic tanks at most rural supply stores for a couple hundred bucks. If you are going to fill with a pump(either hand or batter powered), that would be they way to go. They have the appropriate tank openings already built in.

Chris