Installing A Ritchie Waterer

[Anonymous-0]

I know a lot of you guys have installed and used a Ritchie waterer for livestock.
I would like some tips on how to install it and the best ways for using it.
I got it from a old frend and he had some trouble with it. So I would like to get some help thanks Jeff

 

[gwece]

Don't know anything about the Ritchies although I have heard good things about them. I installed a Mirafount (non-electric) a couple of years ago. I know their installation instructions call for a plastic "heat tube" (just a big plastic pipe about 3 feet long) to be placed in the ground for geo-thermal heat purposes. My mirafount works pretty good as long as you keep livestock using it daily during cold weather.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Original insulation is rather thin- get some 4 inch thick styrofoam, cut, fit, and glue into place. Here, the waterlines are 6 feet deep, so I use an 8 inch pipe as a standpipe, run the water line up through that. Often hang a pigtail bulb holder down the pipe about a foot, wired hot, change the 50 watt bulb each fall. Use a ground rod on each unit. Before installation, flip the unit over, install long anchor bolts, then weld to a frame that you bury in the concrete. Easier than trying to locate and drill anchor bolts after pouring concrete.

 

[IaGary]

What model do you have?

Electric models need nothing more than a water lineup thru a 4 to 6" stand pipe along with electric power.

Energy free need a 12" or bigger tube under ground with the water line up thru it.

Tell what you have and I will help.I install 5 to 10 Ritchies every year.
Ritchie waterers here

 

[Bobl1958]

I've used them for years. Pretty much trouble free. As another poster mentioned, I wired a pigtailed light bulb socket inside mine with a 60w bulb and replace it every winter. Mine are in the wide open and survive the Kansas winters just fine. "Hope I didn't just jinx myself" lol. Parts are pretty easy to get, and easy to change out if ever needed. You'll like it.

 

[kyhayman]

Is it electric or energy free? I've removed but never installed an electric one but put have put in over a hundred of the frost free ones. At the farm I've got Ritchies, Mira Fount, and a Universal Coop. All are energy free. By far and away the best ones are the Ritchies.