Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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wellington womble
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Help with connecting a rainwater diverterI bought a kit, and left it in the water butt in the garden, and the instructions have dissolved. Can anyone help with how to put all the bits together for the diverter? I can manage the tap and the pipes, I think.
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cab
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Re: Help with connecting a rainwater diverterAny chance of a pic of the components?
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James
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You need:
a spirit level
a saw
a marker pen
A tape measure
possibly another guttering downpipe bracket
Some stuff to make a good, sturdy stand
1. put the barrel on a very stable platform (capable of holding the weight of a full barrel, which can weigh nearly a tonne)- I use breeze blocks with a couple of concrete paving slabs on top. Do it so you can get your water can easily underneath.
2. If your barrel doesn't already have a hole for an input pipe at the top, cut one about 4-5cm below the top. Likewise with the bottom tap, an inch from the bottom. Attach the tap (make sure its on really tight because once its got water in, its not easy to adjust).
3. Take your spirit level and mark a point on the drain pipe thats exactly the same level as the top of the hole in the top of the barrel.
4. Have a look inside the rain diverter- there'll be a big lip that runs around the whole circumference. Above this lip on the sleeve of the diverter, there'll probably also be a little 'step' on which the drain pipe will rest. If there is, measure upwards from the base of the catching lip to this step. Then mark a second mark on the drain pipe at this measured distance above the first drain pipe mark. If you cant find this step, don't worry, your design maynot have it, or I may not have explained myself properly (if so, you may need to fiddle a bit later on...see point 11)
5. Cut the drain pipe in half at the top mark, remove the lower bit of the drainpipe
7. Push the rain diverter into place on the upper part of the drain pipe (catching lip face up)
8. Push the lower drainpipe into the lower part of the diverter. If its to long, cut a little bit off using the other mark to guide you
9. You may need to put a bracket onto the lower drainpipe to stabilize it . You'll need at least one, and should have two.
10. Attach the big plastic flexible pipe between the diverter and the butt (you'll need to figure this bit out, it'll vary according to the make)
11. Check your levels: the top of the entry hole in the water butt should be the same level as (or a tiny little bit higher than..) the top of the exit hole from the diverter. The exit hole from the diverter must not be higher than the top of the butt. If it is, take the lower section of drain pipe off, cut a little bit off it and put it back in place, then push the diverter downwards so its sitting on the bottom drainpipe. Check levels again!
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