Linking water butts

[andrewo]

I have two water butts spaced 15'-20' apart, I have connected them together via a hose to the taps - water tight and full of water as both butt taps are open, they are both on the same level and one is connected to the downspout (unfortunately I cannot get them together), now a physics question and see if I am right, as there is water in the pipe, does it mean that when one butt fills up from the downspout, the one 15'-20' away will equalise, so that both butts will fill up. Am I right? It's really flummoxed me!

[nick the grief]

SHould Do Andrew. You can set up levels like this. Piece of pipe with water in. Hold it at the high point and the water in the other bit wil show you the level. Only trouble you cant use the tap Unless your but has facilities for fitting a second tap of course then You could tuck the hose around the back out of the way.

[andrewo]

I've connected the two taps together with a hose, the pipe has been buried under the gravel path, not worried about not being able to use it as I can take water from the top - just hope it works, as I'm totally flummoxed by your description! Been a long day.

Should have posted this with the last reply, apologies, painkillers are kicking in and making me foggy. I thought it was easier to show what I was doing rather than describing it. I think it will work, memory of physics was such a long time ago.

[nick the grief]

Here you go Andrew, this is what Iwas trying to say




Hope this make sense

[Nicos]

Archimedes would have been proud of you both

[nick the grief]

Archie who?

[Nicos]

You know...the old guy who fiddled with his tubes in the bath!

[nick the grief]

I thought that was Nero, but I don't know if he went to Bath

[Jaxom]

I see it's back to school with science and history for the deranged again. LOL
Jax

[andrewo]

Eureka! It's raining and it works! Both butts are equalizing (Edward Woodward style) and filling up at the same rate. Fantastic, in one night my butts have filled up compared to being open to the elements for two months and only being a quarter full.

[nick the grief]

Great news Andrew, Now I know they waffle & bullsh... er theory works I may well do it with my two butts

[andrewo]

All I need to do now is attach an overflow pipe to take it back into the drain when they overfill, which they did today, fortunately butt 1 is so close to the drain it just flowed down into the drain with little mess but butt 2 also overflowed and drained into the path - thank god - but two butts filled up in three hours - not bad going.

[dwrudd]

Hi Andrew,

I know that you did say that you would fill a can from the top but if you turn both taps off, you could disconnect the hose and use the tap to fill a watering can then shove the hose back on and reopen the taps.

With regard to the overflow, you must make sure that the overflow level is lower that the top of the connected barrell. If not it will always overflow from the barrell first.

Good luck

Darren