The air vents can be seen on Ben's video (ruclips.net/video/EOO-mHYmQCM/видео.html). They are the smaller 3/4" pipe that attaches to the second plug on the barrel. You do have to drill out the plug (be careful not to drill out the threads) with a 3/4"drill bit - I used a wood hole drill on the non-threaded side to make the opening. Then, from the same side, I threaded a 3/4" PVC Schedule 40 MPT x S Male Adapter (www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-3-4-in-PVC-Schedule-40-MPT-x-S-Male-Adapter-PVC021090800HD/203811638) and added a length of 3/4" PVC pipe that goes INSIDE the barrels. If I recall, it was about 32 inches long...measure long and cut down to be safe. Be sure to glue the pipe to the adapter. You don't want water leaking from the bottom of the barrels. You can see in my video how I added a PVC cap, drilled a hole in it, and stuffed a piece of mesh material in the hole to prevent insects from making home in the air tube or barrels. If you don't want to do that, you can always drill 4-6 small holes (1/8") to the top of your barrels. I'd suggest you do that along the top rim where the top curves into the sides - right on that curve. I'd do several in case some get plugged by debris or bugs. I like Ben's idea of the air tube going back up inside the barrel, best. But, you have to be sure that your fill tube isn't higher than those air tubes or you will get water draining out of those air tubes. This can also cause a strange vapor lock that can siphon all of your barrels down from being full to being only about 1/3 full. This I learned the hard way. The fix for this is: 1) Lower your downspout water diverter until its overflow point is below the top of the air vent tubes. You may also have to cut down your the top of your fill tube, but the overflow point on the diverter is the main issue. (best option) 2) Drill some of those 1/8" holes to the tops of your barrels (which kinda eliminates the need for the air tubes to begin with.) Please be sure to look at Ben's video for better instructions on building the system...My video is more about making some improvements and modification to his system.
@@edfritz Thanks for taking the time to explain all that. My barrels are the food grade type with the twist on lid so my setup is going to have to be completely different but I'm sure there will be some gems that I can use from your setup. Thanks again.
RUclips shortens the links so I am adding them here. You can also search the sites with the "quoted titles" I provided. DOWNSPOUT WATER DIVERTER (ETSY): - "New Removable Rainwater Diverter Kit - For All Residential Downspouts" www.etsy.com/listing/990551959/new-removable-rainwater-diverter-kit-for?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=New+Removable+Rainwater+Diverter&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&bes=1&sts=1&content_source=e0b7fd5e31a0ed17256ce4944077efc34ea13f38%253A990551959&organic_search_click=1 CLEAR PVC PIPE & FITTINGS (AMAZON): - "Clear PVC Pipe Fitting (bluish tint): 90 Degree Elbow, Schedule 40/80, 1 1/2 Inch PVC Pipe Socket" www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TZKYGK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - "1 1/2 Inch Diameter Clear PVC Schedule 40 Pipe [Pipe ID 1.590 inch, OD 1.900 inch] (Bluish tint), Choose Your Length (5 inches to 8 Feet) (Selected Length: 4 Feet) " www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TSV2ML8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - "3/4 Inch Diameter Clear PVC Schedule 40 Pipe [Pipe ID 0.804 inch, OD 1.050 inch] (Bluish tint), Choose Your Length (5 inches to 8 Feet) (Selected Length: 4 Feet) " www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TY5BZ2V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 DIAPHRAGM WATER PUMPS (AMAZON): - "VIVOSUN Water Pressure Pump, 110V 5.5GPM 70 PSI Diaphragm Water Pump Include 1/2" and 3/4" Garden Hose Adapters, Power Plug for Bathrooms, Kitchens" www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8QX1MF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - "YOUNGTREE 110V Water Pump with Pressure Switch include Power Plug 5.5 GPM 70PSI 110VAC Water Pressure Booster Pump for Home Kitchen Bathroom RV Marine" www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q89PWV5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 WATER HOSE TAP 3/4" (AMAZON): - "American Valve M76QT 3/4" Quarter Turn Hose Bibb FIP, 3/4-Inch" www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052EKFAE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 RUBBER COUPLINGS (HOME DEPOT): - "2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling" www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-DWV-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-215/100013986
Thanks Ed!
Thanks for sharing. How is it that there's no air vents on the barrels? How do they fill up on a sealed system like that?
The air vents can be seen on Ben's video (ruclips.net/video/EOO-mHYmQCM/видео.html). They are the smaller 3/4" pipe that attaches to the second plug on the barrel.
You do have to drill out the plug (be careful not to drill out the threads) with a 3/4"drill bit - I used a wood hole drill on the non-threaded side to make the opening. Then, from the same side, I threaded a 3/4" PVC Schedule 40 MPT x S Male Adapter (www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-3-4-in-PVC-Schedule-40-MPT-x-S-Male-Adapter-PVC021090800HD/203811638) and added a length of 3/4" PVC pipe that goes INSIDE the barrels. If I recall, it was about 32 inches long...measure long and cut down to be safe. Be sure to glue the pipe to the adapter. You don't want water leaking from the bottom of the barrels.
You can see in my video how I added a PVC cap, drilled a hole in it, and stuffed a piece of mesh material in the hole to prevent insects from making home in the air tube or barrels.
If you don't want to do that, you can always drill 4-6 small holes (1/8") to the top of your barrels. I'd suggest you do that along the top rim where the top curves into the sides - right on that curve. I'd do several in case some get plugged by debris or bugs.
I like Ben's idea of the air tube going back up inside the barrel, best. But, you have to be sure that your fill tube isn't higher than those air tubes or you will get water draining out of those air tubes. This can also cause a strange vapor lock that can siphon all of your barrels down from being full to being only about 1/3 full. This I learned the hard way. The fix for this is:
1) Lower your downspout water diverter until its overflow point is below the top of the air vent tubes. You may also have to cut down your the top of your fill tube, but the overflow point on the diverter is the main issue. (best option)
2) Drill some of those 1/8" holes to the tops of your barrels (which kinda eliminates the need for the air tubes to begin with.)
Please be sure to look at Ben's video for better instructions on building the system...My video is more about making some improvements and modification to his system.
@@edfritz Thanks for taking the time to explain all that. My barrels are the food grade type with the twist on lid so my setup is going to have to be completely different but I'm sure there will be some gems that I can use from your setup. Thanks again.
RUclips shortens the links so I am adding them here. You can also search the sites with the "quoted titles" I provided.
DOWNSPOUT WATER DIVERTER (ETSY):
- "New Removable Rainwater Diverter Kit - For All Residential Downspouts"
www.etsy.com/listing/990551959/new-removable-rainwater-diverter-kit-for?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=New+Removable+Rainwater+Diverter&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&bes=1&sts=1&content_source=e0b7fd5e31a0ed17256ce4944077efc34ea13f38%253A990551959&organic_search_click=1
CLEAR PVC PIPE & FITTINGS (AMAZON):
- "Clear PVC Pipe Fitting (bluish tint): 90 Degree Elbow, Schedule 40/80, 1 1/2 Inch PVC Pipe Socket"
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TZKYGK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- "1 1/2 Inch Diameter Clear PVC Schedule 40 Pipe [Pipe ID 1.590 inch, OD 1.900 inch] (Bluish tint), Choose Your Length (5 inches to 8 Feet) (Selected Length: 4 Feet) "
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TSV2ML8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- "3/4 Inch Diameter Clear PVC Schedule 40 Pipe [Pipe ID 0.804 inch, OD 1.050 inch] (Bluish tint), Choose Your Length (5 inches to 8 Feet) (Selected Length: 4 Feet) "
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TY5BZ2V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
DIAPHRAGM WATER PUMPS (AMAZON):
- "VIVOSUN Water Pressure Pump, 110V 5.5GPM 70 PSI Diaphragm Water Pump Include 1/2" and 3/4" Garden Hose Adapters, Power Plug for Bathrooms, Kitchens"
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8QX1MF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- "YOUNGTREE 110V Water Pump with Pressure Switch include Power Plug 5.5 GPM 70PSI 110VAC Water Pressure Booster Pump for Home Kitchen Bathroom RV Marine"
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q89PWV5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
WATER HOSE TAP 3/4" (AMAZON):
- "American Valve M76QT 3/4" Quarter Turn Hose Bibb FIP, 3/4-Inch"
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052EKFAE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
RUBBER COUPLINGS (HOME DEPOT):
- "2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling"
www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-DWV-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-215/100013986