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water leak detector

TexasVipRoom

TexasVipRoom

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I know im not the only one that has ever had issues with leaks on a rodent rack. I have been racking my brain on how to slow down or stop and issue. I think I have found an answer to my problems. I am going to order one so I will keep everyone posted on how it turns out and if it works properly.

This device shuts off the water source if the puck touches any water what so ever.
 

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So it runs inline directly with where ever your water line is. The main box has an automatic on off. Then the small puck is wired to the box and that is the water detector. You put the puck where you could potentially have water. Once water hits the puck it instantly shuts off the main line until you reset. Once it is shut off it also sounds an alarm until it is reset. I have one ordered and will give a full review once I have it working and ill also post when it has to be used for the first time.
 
Trying to visualize this. So you're going to put the puck in one of the rat tubs, right? How will you keep the rats from chewing through the cord?
 
Nice, but wouldn't you need one for each tub.

Where do you experience your leaks from? I break down my water system, flush with bleach, and over work the little water actuators every three months and haven't had an issue yet (knock on wood). I think you can actually disassemble the nozzle and rebuild the O-rings too. Also, not sure if you knew this, but on the vari-flows, you can adjust the flow rate at the nozzle. I slow mine down until it drips very slowly in case any aspen gets lodged in there. I also reduced my reservoir down to one gallon so any potential leak won't drown out the rats, of course I have to fill it daily.
 
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Each time? I am confused. Once it shuts off there is a reset button and you can go in a reset it. I flush the system as well as check the nozzles and work as well. I have the same system all the way up to the water feed. I have a low pressure reducer and its inline to a direct water source so I do not have to fill anyhting. There is always water when needed.

I run the freedom breeder rodent 44, 721 and 1050 off this one water source. I ahve attached pictures.

I also just ordered these new spring valves from freedom breeder and they are AMAZING.

I cannot use a gallon or even one gallon water source as sometimes I go out of town for a couple days on business and cannot refill or even on an overnight trip it concerns me.

I get this new system tomorrow and I am going to run it in line with my regulator and then I need to evaluate where I will be putting my puck to detect water.

I clean and flush and follow those rules but it seems my biggest problem is at my small tubs the bedding is so close to the nozzle it gets stuck. So if I have an isse it will be there. I just need to address setting this leak detector up in a way it will shut off.

It may work or it may get returned i figured it was worth a shot.

thanks for the input.
 

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Yea the constant water supply is great but has down fall. I like the barb fitting great idea! Are they expensive? Bc I could direct them all to a tub and have the shut off on one tub and not the whole thing! Y'all keep making this project better and better thanks!
 
nice well when i get the system in and installed I will evaluate from there. Thank you everyone for the help so far keep it coming. I know more heads on a project is better then one! I really wanna knock this one out of the park because it could potentially have great savings if I can prevent floods leaks etc.
 
ok so I got the leak detector in and it is awesome. I have not installed it yet but the alarm is a cool feature and has an easy reset button. It is pretty much plug and play but all I have left to do is plumb the water line to it. Should be an easy deal. I have it all figured out but could use some input still

Here is what I want to do.

I am going to run the shutoff from the main line of my water source and then take the puck (water sensor) and place it in a trough I have built that will slide under all of my rat racks. The trough will be used to trap the water allowing the sensor to be triggered. My only concern or issue is this.

I dont want one bin to fill completey up with water drowning all the rats before it overflows down into the trough. here is my two options so far


I can

A - drill holes in the bottom of each rat bin allowing water to fall through and eventually get to the drip pan at the bottom and trip the sensor

B - run tubbing and connections like mentioned above and then run tubing to the pan and allowing it to catch water that way.

I would really like to hear any other options I have not thought of yet. cheers
 
If I understand everything correctly, I would go with option B.

As I see it, option A would require that even if only the top tub is leaking, that water has to go down and get every lower tub wet and disturb all of your animals in the rack before the leak is detected and flow is shut down.

With option B, if only one tub is leaking it will only get that one tub wet.

Correct? or am I missing something?
 
no u r correct! nailed it. My only thing is that will the tubs be a pain? will it work? and are there any other options other then A and B?

U r on the right track I have been debating this a bunch haha
 
OR,

drill a hole in each pan and make small deflectors(like rain flashing) that pushes water off side of rack to a pan where it would collect and sensor would be located. Not hard to do.

If you drill the tubs, use metal grommets and silicone them in place or you'll have them chewing out in no time.
 
Setup should be easy as I stated before. However, the problem i see is that if you plan to use this as a fail safe for going away for a weekend, what keeps your animals watered when the shut off kills their water supply? In severe heat I would say it would be best to allow a vent to drain the water out of the tub so the rats don't drown rather than have them all go without water.

As for setting all of the tubs up on one sensor, use deflectors on all tubs. direct their drainage to a single trough. Tilt that trough so the water will run to a low point, that is where you place your sensor.
 
i am still working on it but thank you for some more input it is greatly appreciated. Luckily I have someone there always even if im not there and the auto water shutoff sounds a really loud alarm which is a cool feature that has an easy reset button.
 
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