Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Sep 12, 2014 10:14 pm Hello rain water gurus (I've seen a couple of them posting here)! I've just fund out that my Rain Bank switch (Davey's) is mixing mains water with the water from the rain tank. The gizmo is 5 yrs old and waaaay out of warranty, but I've contacted Davey anyway, mentioning the implied warranty, with the slim hope that they might come good and replace it for free. If they won't I'll have to get another rain/mains switch. The net search turned up Bianco MK111e Rain Saver with the note saying that it's not a pump switch (meaning what - that there's some other widget needed??) and a MK111e conversion kit, which it is, for $440. Etoto on ebay offers a yellow switch, supposedly a replacement for a Rain Bank, etc, for only $279. It's amazing how much this device costs, in comparison to the saving on water bills for an urban household. My main questions are which device should I buy if Davey won't deliver and is ebay relative el cheapo worth the risk?? My father rode a camel, I drive a car, my son flies in a jetliner, his son will ride a camel.Saudi saying Re: Replace Rain Bank? With what??? 2Sep 12, 2014 11:22 pm Have a look at the Acquasaver. http://www.acquasaver.com.au/ It isn't powered, relies on mains water hydraulic pressure and is practically bullet proof. I wouldn't recommend any powered automatic mains water switching device. Note that the Acquasaver isn't compliant for potable use...but neither are most PVCu non pressure pipes! 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Replace Rain Bank? With what??? 3Sep 14, 2014 12:32 pm SaveH2O Have a look at the Acquasaver. I have. I'm a pensioner and it all comes down to money in the end. Aquasaver sells for $460 and I'd need to buy an automatic pump controller for it to work, that's another $110 or more. The more I search and compare the options, the better that yellow thingy on Ebay looks. Lets hope that I'll manage to sweet talk Davey to replace that controller for free or a nominal fee, even though it's out of warranty. The blasted thing must've been malfunctioning for years, it's my bad luck that I've only now got wise to it. My father rode a camel, I drive a car, my son flies in a jetliner, his son will ride a camel.Saudi saying Re: Replace Rain Bank? With what??? 4Sep 14, 2014 12:45 pm kristofw I'm a pensioner and it all comes down to money in the end. You could fit a pump controller and alter the house pipes to take a simple manual valve. You would also need a check valve on the mains pipe. You can also buy commercial manual valves. http://www.mainrain.com.au/mainrain-features.html http://www.mainrain.com.au/brochurefeatures.html http://www.mainrain.com.au/Instructions ... ual_cv.pdf EDIT: Were you originally told that you had to have a RainBank? LATE EDIT: The manually operated Mainrain is no longer sold but inexpensive automatic hydraulically operated devices with the same design function as the Acquasaver are now being sold by many businesses. https://www.asctanks.com.au/product/asc ... k-2-mains/ 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Replace Rain Bank? With what??? 5Sep 15, 2014 10:20 am SaveH2O You can also buy commercial manual valves. http://www.mainrain.com.au/mainrain-features.html http://www.mainrain.com.au/brochurefeatures.html http://www.mainrain.com.au/Instructions ... ual_cv.pdf EDIT: Were you originally told that you had to have a RainBank? Not explicitly, but nobody mentioned a manual switchover, so the implied message was that I had to have a RainBank. Pity, I'm old fashioned and I'd rather have something simple and sturdy than a fancy automatic gizmo with lights and whistles. I'll certainly consider that valve, thanks very much for the links. BTW, would you have any recommendations for a pump controller? The pump is Davey HP 45-05. My father rode a camel, I drive a car, my son flies in a jetliner, his son will ride a camel.Saudi saying Re: Replace Rain Bank? With what??? 6Sep 15, 2014 10:29 pm kristofw SaveH2O EDIT: Were you originally told that you had to have a RainBank? Not explicitly, but nobody mentioned a manual switchover, so the implied message was that I had to have a RainBank. Unfortunately, this is the norm rather than the exception. It is either a lack of regulatory and/or industry knowledge or unethical conduct. People should be told their options. Fitting a simple manual ball valve and a check valve is a bullet proof method that is much cheaper and you should still be able to have it fitted to your current pipes. I can't find a price online for the commercial Mainrain, they were about $170 when I first came across them but they could be around the $250 mark now. http://www.mainrain.com.au/distributors.html Re the controller, just seek out a reputable pump shop in your area and get their advice, they'll know a lot more than I do. You need to be careful not to expose automatic controllers to a lot of heat. If you have a plastic 'igloo' pump cover, it is best to drill some holes in the back to provide some cross ventilation. If possible, it is best to keep it out of direct sunlight. Have you read the thread that I have linked below? The last couple of pages discusses the benefits of pressure tanks. If you are supplying a cistern, the pump will currently be subject to a lot of start/stops as well as operating inefficiently due to the required low flow rate but a pressure tank will reduce the number of pump start/stops. You must have a pressure controller that is pressure set to the tank though. This is also discussed in the linked thread. viewtopic.php?f=35&t=72564 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. ok thanks - yes was wondering if that should have been listed as Option Three! 2 7779 Your house roof does not show rusting other than some surface rust on the flashings. In my opinion you dont need to replace or paint the roof other than treat surface rust… 1 10273 |