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Automatic waterer probs

7

7lazy77

Member
Well, we reached -30 degrees last night (with the wind chill). I have a Brower automatic waterer that has worked flawless up until now. When I went out to feed last night, I noticed the water level was low. The float moves freely up & down, but it isn't dispensing water. I checked to see if any water lines had frozen under the waterer & everthing was warm inside the waterer & even the nylon braided hose (which is hooked up to the main water) is flexible & when I pinch it, it feels like soft water in there.
So.........I think my problem is in the valve itself. There has to be something frozen or clogged up in there. I didn't want to risk anything last night, so I left is as is. I will wait for the weather to warm up & then dissect it.
My questions are:
Anybody else ever run into a situation like this & what was your "fix"?
Anybody try pouring warm water on the valve before?
Any other information/recommendations are greatly appreciated.
 
Do you have a string heater on the line coming to the valve? Do you have a steel elbow in the line next to the valve? Steel tends to freeze first. I would guess the valve is frozen. The float arm will move up and down because it is not directly linked to the valve. Try using a heat gun or hair dryier. If your careful you can use a small propane torch. Warm water will work great. About a gallon should do it. I mentioned the other options because I did not know how far from hot water or electricity you are. Hope this helps
 
Be careful around water & electricity.

I never have had electricity near my waterers, so I've not had to be careful about that. :)

Oh, how many 5 gallon buckets of water I've had to carry down the hill to the barn in my lifetime....

Try to hit metal with the hot water if there is a metal connection - it transfers the warmth a lot quicker.

Try to get the hot water below the frozen area - it takes a long time for the heat to work down lower into ice, while it will move up into it real quick.

Don't be shy with the warm water, a puddle below the problem area works like a heat lamp, putting heat upwards towards the problem.

About the time you give up, walk back to the house & get another bucket. Many times by the time you have walked back, the heat has finally soaked in and the water is running.

And some days..... Well you know Murphy.

--->Paul
 
Warm water? I'd have a few pans of water on the stove boiling. Then carry them out there quickly and pour them on any frozen areas including where the line goes in the ground if the valve doesn't free up first. The water will refreeze fairly quickly now that is why you want plenty available depending upon how much of the pipe is frozen as well.

Look for anyplace that has contact with the cold air as a likely spot for being frozen.
 
agreed, i just fill a pitcher of hot water in the house and pour slowly. doesn"t happen often but it does happen. -7 with a -35 windchill at present.

casey in SD
 
It does sound like the valve. I would shut off the electricity, then trickle really hot water over it. If left, the frozen area will "grow" down the pipe and under the concrete to where you can't thaw it out. It NEVER pays to wait--get it thawed out! We are ok here until about 30 below actual temp, then we begin to have problems. last year in mid-January we had several days right at 30 below--worked way past dark sometimes to get everything thawed, because if we "left it for morning", by then the frozen area would have expanded to a point where we couldn't thaw it out. Don't forget to turn the electricity back on when thawed. Also, try to figure out a way of fixing it. Oftentimes just a tad of insulation added in the proper place does wonders.
 
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