Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I be sure Raindrop valves are a sound product and value
for money?
Raindrop valves are more expensive than plastic valves available
on the US market and are competitively priced with other brass and
bronze valves. They are also built from the highest quality
materials (glass/nylon, brass, stainless steel, bronze) that will
not corrode, become brittle due to ultraviolet exposure or break
with time and use. The simple design means there are very few things
that can cause malfunctions.
When you invest in a Raindrop valve you can expect it to give years
of service with very little maintenance time. These valves have been
sold and used in Australia in the sheep and cattle industries for
over 30 years. They are now available in the USA because of personal
experience with the valves in supplying water to our sheep both in
the USA and Australia.
The manufacturer of these valves provides a 5 year corrosion
warranty and Raindrop Valves USA LLC will replace any defective
products that do not perform under normal conditions of use, if the
valve is returned to us. Should I use a high or low pressure
valve?
Low pressure valves are designed for gravity flow water systems,
such as those from a bulk water storage tank. 2.31 feet of water
head in a tank produces 1 pound per square inch of pressure. Low
pressure valves are rated for 12 pounds per square inch (psi) of
water pressure or a 30 ft high head of water. They flow a higher
volume of water than high pressure valves as they are full flow
(unrestricted with no baffles). Higher pressure than this will
prevent the valve flap from closing correctly.
High pressure valves are rated for 60 psi of water pressure (140 ft
of head of water) and are suitable for mains water systems.
How do I decide to use a surface or underwater mount?
Surface mounted valves are best suited for shallow troughs (6 to
18 inches deep) and can be mounted through a hole hear the top of
the trough or over the trough lip. Underwater mounted valves work
best for troughs 24 inches and deeper and can be mounted through the
bottom or side of the trough. Underwater mounting is recommended
where freezing conditions occur in the winter.
How should I install my Raindrop
Valve?
Surface mounted valves can be threaded directly onto standard
plastic or galvanized pipe fittings and custom mounted over the top
or through a hole in the top of a watering trough. It is important
to use thread tape to prevent leakage and make sure the valve is
securely fastened. The surface mounted float should sit horizontally
on the water surface and the arm should have full range of movement.
Quick connect cam-lock fittings are very useful if the trough and
valve are going to be moved periodically. When moving the valve be
careful not to break or bend the lever arm.
Underwater valves can be mounted through the side or the bottom of
the water trough and securely mounted with a tank bung fitting from
your local plumbing store. When mounting through the bottom of a
trough, the incoming pipe should be elbowed so that the valve sits
horizontally in the water and the lever arm has full range of
movement. The center of the valve body needs to be at least 6 inches
from the tank bottom. This allows the lever arm to obtain maximum
travel and the valve flap to open completely for full water flow. It
also allows replacement flaps to be installed without removal of the
valve from the trough or tank.
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Correct Installation of a
Raindrop Float Valve |
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Bung Fitting |
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How is the water
level in the trough adjusted on the valve assembly?
The water level in a surface mounted valve can be set by turning
the bolt and lock nut on the front of the valve so that the float
stops the water flow at the desired height. Turning the bolt tighter
lowers the water level in the trough. In valves mounted underwater,
the water level is set by adjusting the same bolt and the length of
chain that attaches to the ball and lever arm. Can I use standard
PVC or metal pipe fittings with the valve?
Yes, Raindrop valves will connect easily to standard sizes of
fittings. We recommend use of thread tape to ensure a water tight
fit. Where should I place the valve in the bottom of a tank?
The center of the valve body needs to be at least 6 inches from
the tank bottom. This allows the lever arm to obtain maximum travel
and the valve flap to open completely for full water flow. It also
allows replacement flaps to be installed without removal of the
valve from the trough or tank. Do I need to cover the valve?
Livestock tend to be curious and look for the freshest water.
Protecting your valve with a cover will extend the life of your
valve and ensure that maintenance is minimal. A cheap and easy cover
for surface mounted valves can be constructed from half of a clean
chemical drum, or from sheet metal and attached to the trough with
bolts that can be removed for servicing. A cover is particularly
helpful when watering large numbers of sheep or goats as they like
to drink the freshest water as it comes out of the valve.
Is the high pressure valve going to give me the most water?
No, the low pressure, free flow valves deliver the most water but
are suitable only for gravity flow (less than 12 psi) systems. High
pressure valves deliver less water due to the built in orifice that
allow the valve to shut off correctly at higher water pressures (up
to 60 psi). Please consult the flow charts on this website for
approximate flow rates at your specific water pressure.
Do the valves have a back flow device?
The valve flap acts as a back flow device and will not open,
except when water flows in under pressure while there is water in
the trough. The only time you would need to empty the trough or
disconnect the water supply is when replacing a valve flap. Where
can I get spare parts for my valve?
The only part that requires periodic maintenance is the valve
flap. Valve flaps are available from any retailer that stocks
Raindrop valves and come in a pack of 2. All other parts, should you
lose one, can be replaced with equivalent items available at any
hardware store.
My valve is leaking, what do I do?
The only reason the valve should leak is if the valve flap is
damaged and needs replacing or if there is a piece of solid matter
(rust, a stick, leaf or rock) wedged between the flap and the water
inlet.
Check to see if there is something stuck first and flush the valve
(allow the flap to come completely open by unscrewing the front
bolt). If the valve still leaks after flushing, replace the valve
flap with a new part.
How often does the valve flap need replacement?
The valve flap only needs to be replaced if it starts to leak.
Leaking is caused by the rubber surface of the flap becoming pitted
from impact with solid objects in the water flow (rocks, rust, sand
grit etc).
Flaps usually only require replacement once every few years.
How do I replace the valve flap?
To replace the flap, turn off the water supply to the valve and
remove the two cotter pins that hold the flap in place on the front
surface of the valve. Push lightly down on the valve arm. The valve
flap will fall out. Hold the arm down while inserting a new flap,
with the rubber side facing the back of the valve. Replace the
cotter pins and refill the trough. If you are at all concerned about
water back flowing into the main line, empty the trough below the
valve installation level before replacing the flap. How do I get
my valve to leak a little bit in the winter to prevent ice build up
in my trough?
The easiest way is to keep an old valve flap that is a little
worn and leaks just a bit and install that in the winter months.
Alternatively, you can drill a very small hole in the center of a
new valve flap, or make a small groove in the center of the inside
of the flap to allow water to trickle past. This will require having
a valve flap for winter use and a separate valve flap for summer
use.
What do
I do if my valve freezes solid in the winter?
In freezing conditions, mounting underwater will prevent the
valve from freezing up. Surface mounted valves will not freeze as
long as water is flowing through the valve. We recommend draining
the surface mounted valve and water line after stock finish their
daily drinking. If your low pressure valve does accidentally freeze
solid, remove the valve flap and drill a pilot hole through the ice.
Reattach running water and it will melt the remaining ice in the
valve as it flows out. Once all ice is removed, replace the valve
flap. This same procedure can be used with the high pressure valves,
but take care to place the pilot holes through the center hole in
the rear of the valve.
How can I use an underwater mounted valve in a shallow trough or vice
versa?
Raindrop valve assemblies are sold in three components, valve,
float adaptor kit and float. If you wish to change the mounting of
your valve you can purchase the appropriate kit (Kits 1 and 2 for
underwater mount and Kits 3 and 4 for surface mount) from your
retailer, along with the desired float type. There is no need to
purchase a new valve. Simply unscrew the existing lever arm and
replace with the new arm and float.
If you have a question about Raindrop Valves or need installation
advice please contact us by
telephone or email. We will do our best to answer your questions and
add the answers to the website.
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