Need to run electric for NINE water trough heaters

[BeezFun]

Thanks. Ryan, I'll recommend the paint job to my sil. The PVC around the hydrant was to contain great stuff insulation for some additional margin in cold weather but it does offer some physical protection.

I think the foam helps a lot, I did the same thing.
One problem we had in really cold weather was folks leaving the hose attached too long after they filled the troughs. In really cold weather it only takes a few minutes for an ice plug to start forming in the mouth of the hydrant if the hose is attached because the hydrant is trying to siphon the hose empty when you shut it off. I tried quick fittings but they froze up and wouldn't always work. I finally added these Y adapters to the hydrant. As soon as folks shut the hydrant off, they open the unconnected side of the Y fitting and that allows the hydrant to drain immediately. Then they have time to get the hose disconnected without any chance of an ice plug starting in the end of the hydrant.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Good idea Beez.

 

[drizler]

I see you have it almost finished before I found the thread. Looks good. One thing I seen that I do is use a heated garden hose. Gemplers has them. They are expensive but work. My first one lasted 3 years and decided to quit during last winters polar vortex. For 100 gallon tanks we use 1000 watt heaters for 150-200 gallon tanks we use 1500 watt heaters.

We tried one of the heated hose bags last year. Sent it back. It would work with a short hose but if you are going over 25' it would be way too hard to put it in the bag so it zips up. Would work for a short one though.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Next time I visit my daughter's farm, I'll get a few pics of her setup. Theres a trough just inside the fence from each hydrant. She has a short hose about 4' at each hydrant to fill the trough. Then, near a few of them, across the lane of about 20' there is another pasture with a trough. She uses a 25' hose to fill those. She brings that hose with her as she does chores then drains it and puts it in the barn. In the event that hose freezes up she has a spare in the basement in the house.

With this project done chores are a lot easier. She had been using a large tank on a trailer, since sometime in June when she moved all the horses here from her previously rented farm.

 

[farmer2009]

We tried one of the heated hose bags last year. Sent it back. It would work with a short hose but if you are going over 25' it would be way too hard to put it in the bag so it zips up. Would work for a short one though.

I wasn't talking about putting it in a bag. The heater is built into the hose. Try this link.

Pirit

 

[zzvyb6]

You should NOT leave hoses connected to the hydrants because its important to have the pipe above he bottom valve drain completely. When hoses are left on them, complete drainage will probably not occur and the water remaining in the hose and pipe will freeze. I use the quick connect hose barbs (Nelson) you can get from Home Depot or Lowes or Menards, etc when you need to reach a far off tank.

Also, as a reminder, its important to run the water in freezing weather long enough to raise the temp in the metal pipe so that the drainage can complete. People who just top off the tank wind can up with a frozen hydrant. Hopefully you put the required nipple and a run-off tube onto the drain port at the foot valve plus the gravel bed there to absorb the fill pipe drainage when you shut it off.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I understand. I think the short hose will drain. If not you can just loosen the fitting a bit to release the vacuum. We put 2 bags of pea stone in the hole for drainage.

 

[farmer2009]

With the heated hose I leave spicket on all winter. It comes out of building a couple of inches and then the hose screws on. It runs to an automatic valve in a tank with a 1000 watt submergible heater. The cattle like to play with the floating ones and pull them out. I understand you are farther north and get colder but it's an idea.

You mentioned about painting the PVC. Be sure to use a plastic primer or the paint won't stick correctly.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Ok. Thanks.

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,

Looks like a job well done. I almost got worried there when you said woods hydrants... I see from the picture you used the good stuff, Iowa Woodford frost free hydrants.:thumbsup:

I also use quick disconnects, but the big box stores no longer have the good stuff. Fake brass junk. I searched and found American made brass quick disconnects. I also had a bunch of custom 300psi heavy rubber with brass ends hoses made to my spec of 38". (Find your local industrial rubber hose company) I used Potomac Rubber because they were close to me. This way even if I have the disconnect on the water trough, the hose piece is short enough to barely touch the ground and totally drain out.

Anyway, the brass company does not sell to the public, but put me in touch with a place which sells their disconnects.
Lee Valley -Brass Quick Couplers Made in the USA