Rainwater Harvesting diverters

[marshian]

Back in 2006 I got utterly piddled off with std DIY shop rainwater diverters (we had a few water butts dotted round various gutter downpipes for general garden watering)

Reasons why…..

1. they blocked up really fast with moss or leaf debris

 

2. any decent rainfall and they had limited capacity to harvest all the rainwater coming down the gutter

 

3. In decent rainfall they tended to soak the walls

 

4. Slugs loved them and made good homes in them

 

5. Had to remove them in winter and replace with straight pipe to stop the butts being filled and then the water freezing.

 

I searched the internet and found what I thought would be better. UK made, switchable so a harvest position and a divert to drain position. Decent depth before the overflow was reached (maximising volume harvested in a good rain shower.

 

below is what I found only I bought the version made in white

 

19 years of use and exposure to UV has meant they are past their best (Brttle and leaky) but worst news of all was the company that used to manufacture them had gone under and they were out of stock everywhere

 

so the search was on for replacements

 

who knew it could be so difficult…….. Seems all the usual places just stocked the std ones with all their issues

 

Then Google took me to Australia and I found what I’m looking for

 

I bought 3 and tonight I fitted the first one

 

can be removed easily without stripping downpipe 

 

has recirc back to soakaway if butt is full

 

has leaf/moss filter/

 

switchable for winter

 

Claims 600 ltrs per hour with garden hose but 1200 litres per hour with 32mm pipe (so I’ve fitted 32 mm pipe version)

 

being Oz spec 75mm diameter downpipe fittings  i had to create so adsptors to suit the UK 68mm but not exactly tricky

[sgt_woulds]

Can you provide a link to a website?  I need similar...

[-rick-]

Randomly came across this yesterday if you have a 3d printer (vibrant colours optional)

 

 

[marshian]

1 hour ago, sgt_woulds said:

Can you provide a link to a website?  I need similar...

I can but I can make it easier than my journey (to get them from Australia and wait for them) as now I have one I googled the part number and they come up in Amazon EU) so I’ll link to that when I’m on a PC

 

meantime heres a better picture of the old ones I used to use - next one to replace

 

lever horizontal shuts the flap and it harvests - lever vertical is winter setting (nothing goes to the water butt)

 

[marshian]

3 hours ago, -rick- said:

Randomly came across this yesterday if you have a 3d printer (vibrant colours optional)

 

 

Very interesting - clever design work however I don’t have the time (or a 3D printer and stocks of different filaments)

 

Like most people I want something that works out of a box that I can fit and forget that meets the criteria (no wet walls, high water recovery rates, switchable for winter /spring/summer/autumn, doesn’t block up or if it does quick and easy to clear and most importantly doesn’t stand out on a white down pipe)

 

I’ll do an unboxing and or assembly guide as the instructions are pretty thin if people are interested to show the features of the Australian ones when I fit the next one?

[-rick-]

Just now, marshian said:

Like most people I want something that works out of a box

 

I agree, just thought it was interesting to share (also amusing timing as I wasn't looking for it yesterday, just clicked on it to fill time and then you post this thread this morning).

 

Coming up with your own solution to something can be fun but it's only ever really worth it if it does something you can't find in a commercial product or it seems significantly cheaper (and even then most times by the time you are done it won't be - even if you don't count time spent).

 

[marshian]

For anyone that wanted a link - here it is

 

Rain Harvesting Downpipe Diverter, Round Downspout Diverter with Filter for Rain Water Catching System (DDIV601, 75 mm / 90 mm) : Amazon.co.uk: Garden

 

The old ones I am replacing when last on sale were a similar cost - even back in 2006 when I first purchase they were just under £15 each

[marshian]

1 hour ago, -rick- said:

 

I agree, just thought it was interesting to share (also amusing timing as I wasn't looking for it yesterday, just clicked on it to fill time and then you post this thread this morning).

 

Coming up with your own solution to something can be fun but it's only ever really worth it if it does something you can't find in a commercial product or it seems significantly cheaper (and even then most times by the time you are done it won't be - even if you don't count time spent).

 

 

Oh please don't take me the wrong way - had I been 40 years younger I'd have a 3D printer and be printing one myself - it's a great find from a "what can be done" perspective and was quite an engaging video so 100% thanks for sharing.

[marshian]

Second one fitted - lessons learnt from the first one helped. It’s snug in the corner and I couldn’t add another down pipe support but it’s OK as it is.

 

 

There is a quick way to remove and check for blockages and a hard way 

 

Easy way - slide up the upper body and the lower section will lift up and out. 

 

I’ll try the method on the one I fitted last night which was a struggle to do it the hard way - slide up the upper section, twist and remove then the lower section.

[Temp]

What's needed is a big enough bore overflow from the butt back into the drain. No need for diverting switches.

[marshian]

8 hours ago, Temp said:

What's needed is a big enough bore overflow from the butt back into the drain. No need for diverting switches.

In winter when we have minus temps what is the plan?

[marshian]

Top tip for large water butts that have multiple strengthening webs

 

Add buoyancy inspection hatches from yacht chandlery store 

 

 

makes cleaning once a year with a jet wash so much easier

 

Obviously not required for non opaque containers 😉 

[marshian]

Yes the alignment of the hatches make my teeth itch……