Water in Trough is too Warm (Stainless Steel Units)
-Adjust
thermostat to lower temperature. Watch Video: Disc Thermostat | Fenwal Thermostat
-Check
to see if thermostat has failed by contacts burning closed.
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Ice in the trough
-Check
fuses or circuit breakers.
-Check
all heating elements to make sure they are working and hot.
-Check
that heaters are wired properly.
Stainless
Steel Units
-Check
for voltage from thermostat output.
-Check
voltage after thermostat to fountain with and without electrical
load.
-Adjust
thermostat to higher temperature (move away from heater)
Poly
Units
-Make
sure water seal groove is filled with liquid. Water or vegetable oil is recommended. If water is used, spray the underside of the valve chamber cover with a cooking spray to help release.
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Water
Freezing in the Valve or Supply Line
-Check
that cable heater is installed properly and fastened to water
supply line and is working and hot.
-Check
for air gaps for wind penetrations. Make sure the fountain is
sealed from wind between the concrete platform and bottom of casing
or unit.
-Make
sure supply line is properly installed:
•
Riser tube with supply line centered, and there is air space between
riser tube and supply line. Ritchie Thermal Tubes are recommended
as they have optimum inside and outside diameter to maximize insulation.
•
Horizontal supply line is at least 1 foot below frost line.
-Check
that flexible hose does not touch side of casing or frame.
Stainless
Steel Units
-Check
for missing or damaged insulation. Replacement insulation is available through your distributor or dealer.
Poly
Units
-Make
sure water seal groove is filled with liquid. Ritchie recommends that either water or vegetable oil should be used to seal the water seal groove. It is the intention of the top to freeze down inorder to create a solid seal against the cold. For help release if needed during the winter, spray the underside of the lit with a cooking spray.
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Water
Freezing in the Valve, Supply Line, or Drink Area (Thrifty
Kings)
-Make
sure there are at least 10 animals drinking from only this fountain.
(No other source of water available.)
-Make
sure incoming water is at least 42F
-Make
sure supply line is properly insulated:
•
Foam rubber insulation around supply line.
•
Riser tube with supply line centered, and air space between riser
tube and supply line. Ritchie Thermal Tubes are recommended.
•
Horizontal supply line is at least 1 foot below frost line.
-Make
sure both water seal grooves are filled with liquid. Ritchie recommends that either water or vegetable oil should be used to seal the water seal groove. It is the intention of the top to freeze down inorder to create a solid seal against the cold. For help release if needed during the winter, spray the underside of the lit with a cooking spray.
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Valve
won't stop dripping or shut off
For step by step instructions on how to change the 1/2 inch valve, please click here. |
-Check
float adjustment. Check for a waterlogged float, or if the float is rubbing
on the side of valve compartment. Ensure float moves freely.
-Disassemble
valve and check for sand or scale in valve rubber. Also check
valve orifice outlet for wear and damage. A screen or filter my
be required with sandy or scaly water. Turn
valve rubber over and re-assemble. Check
for excessive water system pressure (greater than 60 psi), if
needed change to a higher pressure valve.
City water situations
FACTS -1. City water pressure tends to be high, generally higher than what the installed valve is rated for.
2. City water pressure tends to fluctuate, lower during the day and higher at night. Construction in your area can also create fluctuations.
SOLUTION -Know what your water pressure is. Most Ritchie ground mounted waterers come standard with a valve that is rated for 40-60 PSI. Stall Founts and some Thrifty Kings have a rating for 60+ PSI. Purchase the valve the accomodates your water pressure. In many cases a pressure regulator will need to be installed on the waterline. We recommend a brass regulator that is commonly found in the camping section of your local supercenter or camping supply store. This will help maintain a steady pressure and help eliminate drips in the valve. Be sure to adjust the regulator to a pressure that is accomodated by the valve. |
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Low water flow
-Check
that valve inlet is not plugged or supply hose is not kinked.
-Check
system pressure from supply hose by installing a tee and a pressure
gauge directly in front of the valve to check pressure drop when
valve is open. A severe pressure drop indicates a restriction
or undersized supply system.
-Check
that shutoff valves are fully open
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Why does my valve drip?
This can be one of several problems. Over time, the neoprene disk on the valve plunger can build up with mineral deposits. These deposits will not let the plunger make a tight seal. Turning the disk over or installing a new disk will solve this problem. A sinking float or a loose or stripped wing nut or thumbscrew can also cause a unit to overflow. This problem can be fixed with new components. When none of the above apply, it is usually a case of too much water pressure that won’t let the valve shut off. When pressure is a problem, the unit should be fitted with a valve designed for higher pressures. If a high-pressure valve does not solve the problem, a pressure regulator must be installed in the line ahead of the valve. Another situation that can cause this is water hammer. The surge from a water hammer situation can cause the valve to sputter for long periods of time creating the appearance that the valve won’t shut off. This can also be solved with an inline pressure regulator.
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Why does water gush out of the sides of my CT unit when the cows take a drink?
When this happens, the water level inside is set too high. When the ball closures are at the top of the drink well, there is still water capacity in the trough. When the water level inside is too high and the ball is pushed, water inside is displaced and must go somewhere. Consequently, it comes out through the water seal between the top and the base. This can also happen if the fountain is not installed on a level surface.
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I have a CD-50 and need to get some parts.
This is a statement that is often called in to us by people who are not familiar with Ritchie and/or have purchased a property with a fountain on it. When Ritchie installed a powder coating system in 1972, we named the finish CD-50. This was on a decal that was put on all steel powder coated casings. All steel units have a brass serial tag on the casing, which is located directly under the trough. The top line of the serial tag contains the model number and a four-digit serial number. The serial number is actually a date code telling the month and year that the unit was manufactured. If a customer can not find the serial tag, we can usually figure out which unit they have by getting the dimensions of the unit and a few other pertinent questions.
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