HOW I MADE A RAINWATER SYSTEM TO FLUSH

[68NYC]

Interesting.

Thanks.

;0)

[nx2overide]

man this is pure genius!

[914light]

Leave it to a dude to use a fishing bobber and an old gatorade bottle .... remarkable...plus you do have an excellent way of explaining !! ..I give 2 thumbs -up ;)

[emanuel2999]

very smart

[JustAskMe2010]

Love it! Simple step by step......Did I mention......LOVE ITTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!

[johnnnyreb51]

Just found your videos and wanted to say "Great" work! Nice and simple but the one thing you do that most people do not, is explain what you did. Most people just post a video and say nothing at all. You get to watch and that's it. They tell the viewer nothing. It's not the scientists that will save the world, it's people like you. The tinkers.

[richallenmusic]

@johnnnyreb51 thanks i try to make vids you can use for info not just for show

[darthom]

Very neat. I was surprised you used the bob to trigger an led. Clever as that is, I thought you'd use it to trigger some sort of butterfly valve in the piping to automatically allow in the public water when the tanks were low.

[edvac1]

Excellent! That's one plastic bottle that won't end up in a landfill or out in the Pacific Gyre! Nice work. Thank you.

[apaulanarius]

Thanks for the ideas and explanations. You also have very insight videos.

[sujaysukumar123]

good job!!!

[davidgriffin14]

ummm, u need to like go work for nasa or something bro! jk, keep up the good work.

[MUHLOSS]

I just want to say, you're a genius.

[MUHLOSS]

I just want to say, you're a genius.

[brianwurst1234]

where do you find those male fittings that screw right into the barrels? a pool shop? I couldnt find anything at HD that would thread into my barrels.

[alfredobrown]

You are the MAN!!!! America needs more people like you !!!

[petessf]

Rich, thanks for your video I follow yours to build mine works very well (400 gallon). I use your idea of LED mini switch, instead I drill a hole on regular light switch (15A) put a fishing wire on a float (weighted) to turn off pump when water is low. I also added whole house filter and one way check valve so city water won't get to the system.

[hobbylogger1]

I realy hope you have a one way check valve, on the end of the city water, to prevent back feed in to the citys. the rest good job.

[beholdcaesar]

@hobbylogger1 I thought about that too. As long as the city water pressure is higher than his pump's, it should be OK, even if he forgets to turn off the pump side before opening the city water side.

However a he could have eliminated any risk of contaminating the city water by using just one T, so it would be impossible to have both sources of water connected at the same time.

[kyles974]

Rich, THANK YOU for your videos.

[theshadowlips]

Hi Rich, your videos are absolutely marvelous! It has inspired me to create my own rain harvesting system based on your concepts. My first flush uses a water bottle like yours and it works wonderfully! I bought the ecotronics pump and will be trying to hook up the rain barrel (I used 2 food grade 275 gallons IBC totes) to my laundry and toilet cistens as part 2 of the project. Thank you so much for doing this! Absolutely inspiring and I cannot thank you enough!

[MarkH10]

Rich

Any riainwater system is nice, but obvious. Potability being an issue with most peeps/ You simple, amazing insight in using the water where potability is irrelevant is absolutely brilliant. I smacked my head, 'why didn't I think of that?'

However, given the use rate of flushes, I wonder if perhaps the use of gravity for force instead of a pump is viable? The trickle rate from gravity is fine for mere filling of a toilet tank, isn't it?

[richallenmusic]

@MarkH10 hi i wanted it to work just like normal so you dont know if your using rain water or city thats why the pump works great it only runs about a minute every flush using gravity would mean moving barrels plus it is to slow my wife would not like this has work great for me thanks for watching

[UrbanEdgeLivin]

nice try a solar one next time northern tools com 12v Norstar ondemand pump

[beholdcaesar]

@UrbanEdgeLivin Thanks for a great idea! Solar panel + trickle charger + deep cycle marine battery + 12V DC water pump will be perfect. I'll be using the system for an outside summer shower as well.

[pvampire]

Brilliant! I love this contraption!

[hd1200cs]

Hey rich, How would I go about doing this if I am on a concrete slab and have no attic space?

[jamkrh]

you could always use a fish tank heater to keep your barrels warm during the winter to keep using your system love your videos keep them coming.

[qcages]

These are great. I love you ingenuity. I subscribed and look forward to more videos in the future :)!

[dpdevil1]

Nice< rain barrel set up. Thanks

[edogridge]

Rich - I have been watching all of your video's - very easy to follow. Thank you! Question. If your soda can heater works as effenciently as it seems, can you use that to keep your rain water warm enough not to freeze during the winter? Unlike you - I'm not smart enough to do these things but the idea popped in my head and thought I'd ask. Again, thanks for all the great video's and education!

[richallenmusic]

@edogridge hi thanks for your comments if i got enough sun could do but i get just enough sun to mess around with this stuff because of the hills and trees ive added 2 more barrels we been on rain water from around spring only a couple of times i had to switch to city water untill rain again  rich

[united4mi]

@richallenmusic hi guy,s he could run black piping over or under pop tin,s to keep his water warm,and why not some sand in the background ?? what you thinck rich?? and thanckyou all for helping, made one pop can to sit inside of window,very few cans, and got170 deg, faranhiet, f,n amazing thought it might even melt , lol

[StMeade]

Great Job ! Thanks for sharing. I want to do something like this. You've covered all the details.

Do you have a basement that maybe you could move the rain barrels into so that you can use the system year round?

[richallenmusic]

@StMeade hi thanks i have no basement have added 2 more barrels system been working great been on rain water from about the spring time change . only had to switch back to city water a couple of times until it rain again rich

[assi600]

ach gottchen sag ich nur

faesser zwei mal verbinden was n schwachsinn

ein ventil mit der flasche einbauen damit das saubere wasser oben raus kommen kann

zu welchem zweck? aber lustig ist es schon...

[2ndrain]

Nice job on all the vids rich - your next challenge (if you're not already doing it...:)

take some of that rainwater, bring it inside (in milk jugs, tanks, whatever), heat it up with the can/downspout heaters and use that thermal mass to keep constant heat...

Great first flush setup, love the Gatorade float!  - and the LED! awesome idea

[hotsexybrownguy]

Hey, where did you get that pre filter for your booster pump? I looked all over and couldn't find one. I checked ebay as well.

[richallenmusic]

@hotsexybrownguy it came with the pump but you do need one you can get one at lowes or home depot im sure rich

[mirandaj81]

Thanks Rich! I'm living in Nicaragua and it is raining a lot! I hope to make something like what you did...Take care and thanks for the inspiration!

[bzterp]

Great video. Cool idea for the LED switch! I'm most interested in your FIRST FLUSH. Not sure if anyone asked this question yet, but how does the FIRST FLUSH drain itself of the dirty water? Do you have to go open the drain to drain it after each rain ? Or is there a small hole that lets it drain slowly over time? Thanks in advance!

[richallenmusic]

@bzterp hi i have a small valve at the bottom i leave it open a bit seems to work ok

i have added 2 more barrels weve been on rain water from the time we change the clocks foward just when they get low we have rain again working great rich

[hotsexybrownguy]

Hey Rich. I had a question about your booster pump. I bought a booster pump off ebay. After reading the specifications on the box, it requires 20 - 30 psi of pressure. I have not installed this pump yet, but my rain barrels do not produce anywhere close to that pressure. Do you think my pump will work? I have a 3000-litre rain barrel system. thanks

[richallenmusic]

@hotsexybrownguy hi you should get the same pump i got its been working great i dont know about any other pumps mine is made by leader f120 sound like yours is made to boost house pressure anyway good luck rich

[wackyrice1]

we need MORE thinkers like you. With them, we would'nt need as much government interference...

[mrbrucejenkins]

Thanks I am always fasinated by your inventions.

[BrainEatingZomb1e]

wow that is genus!

[ICUC007]

SUPER

[FixedByDoc]

You sir are a very smart man wether you invented it or researched how to you are still a smart guy. Thanks for the insight you give on all your videos. 5/5

[ArashiNage]

hat's a really cool set up. I've seen the first flush diverters you can buy with the little ball in them. I always wanted to try and make one, but couldn't the right size ball to use. Seeing what you did with the Gatorade bottle is AWESOME! Problem solved! Thanks for the vid.

[hotsexybrownguy]

Hey. Nice video. About the toilet valve in your house. How do you prevent rain water from getting into the main water lines of your house? I always thought you needed some sort of one way valve to prevent rain water from getting into your water lines.

[richallenmusic]

the main water is shut off at the toilet no way the rain water can get in when its time to turn main water back on i shut off rain water valve and turn on main the pressure shoots everthing into the toilet i just got it hooked back up for this year am on rain water now going to add more barrels

[7777dmith7777]

That's sweet, I bet the toilet stays cleaner too due to the fact that there isn't any minerals in the water, Iron/ calcium etc. in the water ? The toilet wouldn't sweat either because the flush water is closer to ambient temp. Great idea !!

[the43k]

Nice job, I don't understand why you need a gatorade bottle, wouldn't the water just fill up the tube and then over flow to your diverter anyway???

[richallenmusic]

yes your right but the dirt flows over the bottle then is trapped under it keeps a lot of dirt from your barrels

[1959misty]

Will a RV pump work? If you raise the water lines in the barrel about 2 inches that will keep water cleaner . right?

[richallenmusic]

yes if you raise the lines water will be cleaner dirt settles on the bottom and rv pump should work

[AtvProjects]

Put it on your Roof or on a second floor and have your bathroom on the first floor, wouldnt that way not need to have a pump?

[PiranhaJaw22]

That LED idea was ingenious. "No explosions!"

[richallenmusic]

thanks" no explosions" is always good

[ncbookz]

excellent man, i was thinking this but my problem was the T area inside i could not figure out how to automate city with rain water so you solved my question, thanks. the T inside the house is a great idea so you do not have to add a new flush valve in the toilet nor do you have to get rid of your present connection for future renters or if you sell the house. thanks alot

[richallenmusic]

thanks the system worked great will add more barrels next year rich

[capelthwait]

You are amazing with your different ideas. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

[miamiblues]

Another great video! I am putting a system together now. I was wondering how loud that pump is? Would it be fine indoors?

Thanks

[richallenmusic]

hi its not to loud would be good in a basement mine only runs about a minute each time but would depend on how long of pipe run u have good luck rich

[MrRowdyricky]

I use rain water for everything at my house. I have no city water this far out in the country. I have a filter system that I made but it is a high maintenance one. You gave me a good idea using that bottle. That will work perfect. Thanks

[servant74]

I think you could do without the gator aide bottle, not that it hurts. the water will fill up the pipe and the new water will keep diverting the water to the storage tank. Just a thought.

[wiboater4]

What do you do for winter?

[richallenmusic]

shut it down untill spring will add more barrels next year it worked so well no problems

[wiboater4]

Is there anyway you could insulate it? or move the barrel inside?

[richallenmusic]

no not here a our house is to small but thats ok

[raising6]

this is a really great video! thanks for sharing your knowledge

[richallenmusic]

thanks

[renshy84]

That is one of the best rain water systems I've ever seen.

[richallenmusic]

thanks its been working great have 3 barrels now hoping to get more

[luisvolantegrillo]

Good job!!!

[jab0805]

You do great work. Im inspired.I love your videos and the way you make it easy to follow. Keep em coming.

[tpm4life]

kick ass setup you do good work man.

[michaelrp88]

Rich,

Once again....You are the man! If I were on city water I'd make a set up something like yours. Have you considered omitting the pump? Perhaps the float in the toilet tank can control the water flow from the barrels via gravity vs pump pressure from the street. Looks like you would have to elevate your barrels for this to work.

God job and thanks!!!!!

[richallenmusic]

HI i wanted it to work like like normal pressure i would have to have the barrels way up on the hill to get the pressure i wanted this set up been working great. im added 2 more barrels thanks for watching

[oldchimpdotcom]

Rich: Another awesome video! You motivated me to build my own Solar Heater with your 4th POP CAN HEATER...Video. Your DIY videos are truly the best because you answer the questions (in the videos) like, "How does he monitor water level?". Keep them coming!

[richallenmusic]

THANKS I WILL

[TheImaginaryElves]

what's the name of the video editing thingy you used where you can set yourself running through flames and use the green screen and that kind of stuff?

[richallenmusic]

its called magix

[insAneTunA]

I really enjoy your videos.

Greets from the Netherlands

[richallenmusic]

thanks

[matrixm777]

Nice work...

[TheImaginaryElves]

O_o you would.