Ritchie WaterMatic 100 User manual

Installation Instructions for
WaterMatic
Fountains
Congratulations, you have just purchased the finest watering fountain on the
market. This unit is built to give you excellent service when properly installed
and maintained. Please follow instructions carefully. Read and understand all
instructions before installing.
Ritchie Industries, Inc.
800-747-0222 Part # 17736
www.ritchiefount.com August 13, 2022
@RitchieWaterers

Top view of
WaterMatic 100 shown
with Riser Tube
underneath
Models 100, 150, 150S, 300, & 1000
WaterMatic Fountain Installation Instructions
A. Location - Putting the fountain in a location that offers protection from the wind will enhance the
performance of the unit. Livestock will tend to gather in a protected area, enticing them to drink more. If possible,
the side that supply line enters the fountain should be opposite of prevailing wind for additional protection to the
supply line.
B. Water Supply Line – The horizontal underground water line (#1) should be sized to account for pressure
drop, relating to distance, at least 3/4” in diameter and 1’ below normal frost depth. A 3/4” vertical supply pipe
(#2) is recommended. A shut-off valve (#3) may be installed under the fountain for servicing. For optimum
serviceability a stop and waste valve can be installed below frost level to drain water back when the unit is not in
use. This can be obtained from your local plumber. Flush water supply line before connecting to fountain. Water
supplies with material such as sand, rust, etc. may require a filter to keep valve working properly.
C. Riser Tube – Install a riser tube (#4) around pipe to provide room for plumbing and to accommodate
optional shut-off valve. Ensure that the water supply line is centered in the riser tube. Do not add any insulation in
the riser tube, as it provides a path for frost. For optimum water line protection, use the 12” outside diameter
insulated Ritchie Thermal Tube. Use whatever combination of Thermal Tubes is required to reach at least 1'
below frost line. For the 100, 150, and 150S units, the riser tube must NOT extend above the
concrete platform, see drawing below.
Ritchie Thermal Tubes
18158 1’ top section
16417 2’ top section
16612 4’ top section
16416 2’ extension
NOTE: The supply line touching the riser tube is the most common cause of the supply line freezing.
Do not surround the supply line with insulation, wood, or other foreign material. Any foreign material in
the tube may cause frost to migrate to the supply line causing it to freeze.
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D. Electrical Connection (Optional) – In many areas, supplemental heat is required, it is easiest to run the
electrical line at the same time you lay the waterline for your fountain. Electrical connections should be installed
under the unit.
WARNING: ANY ELECTRICAL SERVICE MUST BE INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED BY A
QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.
E. Mounting Platform – A concrete platform should be provided for all fountains. It should be at least 4” thick
and large enough to accommodate fountain. An additional 4” high step 18” out from each side of the unit will
protect the unit from manure handling equipment, as well as discouraging animals from defecating in the
fountain. Extending the platform provides animals a place to stand while drinking, consider the size of your
animals when determining the dimensions of your platform. Slope the platform away from the fountain for
drainage. A rough broom finish on the concrete surface provides better footing for animals.
F. Preparing the Bottom - Apply the foam weather stripping to
the bottom of the unit, along the outside edge of the fountain.
G. Hold-Downs - The 100, 150, 150S, and 300 fountains are
provided with four built-in hold-downs, and the 1000 fountain is
provided with six built-in hold-downs to anchor your unit securely to
the platform. Use of 3/8” x 5” stainless steel expansion anchor bolts
(not included) are recommended for concrete installations. Anchor
bolts are available from Ritchie in a two pack, part # 16555. Fender
washers are supplied for use with anchors.
H. Assemble Valve - The 100, 150, and 150S fountains come
with the valve already assembled and ready for use. Skip to the next
step for those units.
1. Insert valve rubber into the valve rubber retainer.
2. Attach float arm to float as shown in diagram. The
raised emboss on top of float should be orientated as
shown.
3. Screw thumb screw into cam arm. To adjust water
level, tighten thumb screw to lower, loosen thumb
screw to raise.
4. Insert the valve rubber retainer into the valve body
with the valve rubber up. Align the cam arm to the
valve body and insert first pin.
5. Align the float arm and attached float to the cam arm
and insert second pin.
Valve Rubber
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I. Hose Connection – Connect hose to customer supplied shutoff valve at the top of the concrete. Cut hose to
proper length and slip onto the barb fitting of the valve assembly. Clamps and fittings are furnished to secure the
connection.
J. Seal the Base - After the unit is completely installed, apply a bead of caulking around the base of the
fountain to ensure no wind enters through the base of the unit.
NOTE: Sealing the bottom of the unit from cold air is an important aspect of the unit's thermal
performance.
K. Drain Plug –Install pre-assembled drain plugs from inside of trough. Plugs should be pushed in flush to
prevent accidental removal by animals. Wetting the plug can aid proper installation. Tighten the wing nut to
secure plug.
NOTE: A third plug is supplied with the 1000 to allow for temporary shut-off of the valve chamber.
L. Install Valve Cover/Plug – With the valve functioning properly and the water level set at the proper level,
you may install the valve cover. Install the small drain plug into the drain hole of the water seal. Fill the water seal
groove with liquid to seal against air infiltration. Then drop in the valve cover. This plug may be removed during
non-freezing periods to allow water seal to drain.
Tip: You may use vegetable oil to fill the water seal groove or coat the inside of the groove with baking
pan coating spray before filling with water to make the cover easier to remove and reinstall during
freezing weather.
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1/2”
Part #
GPM
Pressure Range
White
12574
4.8
Low, 5-40 psi
Red (Std) 12575 3.4 Moderate, 40-60 psi
Green 13597 1.45 High, 60-80 psi
Installation Variations
Incoming water temperature and pressure will vary and will affect the performance of your fountain. Well water
will be between 45oand 50o, but rural water from a water tower may be substantially cooler. Supplemental heaters
and alternate valves are available for these variations.
Supplemental Heat
Both the valve chamber and the water supply line should be protected from freezing. To protect the valve
chamber, immersion heaters should be placed flat on the bottom of the chamber. Ensure the heater and power
cable does not interfere with the motion of the float. Self-regulating heat cables protect the supply line from
freezing. Heat cables should wrap around the valve and follow the supply line down into the riser tube. You may
use nylon ties to anchor the cable to the supply line. Both immersion heaters and supply line heaters are
thermostatically controlled, using power only when needed. Neither heater will get hot enough to melt the plastic
of the fountain.
The higher power heaters should be used for larger troughs or where there may be electrical losses in the line due
to long transmission distances. A stainless steel heater stand is included and should be used with the Ritchie
500W heater to protect the fountain in the event of water supply failure. The stand may be purchased separately to
be used with any immersion heater, #16636.
Ritchie Valves
Ritchie valves come in two sizes. The WaterMatic 300 and WaterMatic 1000 come standard with our 3/4" yellow
high pressure valve that is rated up to 110 psi. The WaterMatic 100, 150, and 150S use our 1/2" valve. It is
available in three pressure ratings, green for high supply line pressure, red for moderate supply pressure, and
white for low-pressure applications. A red valve is standard on the 100, 150, and 150S units. Although different
pressure rated valves may be used in a fountain, each fountain will only accommodate one size and configuration
of valve.
Alternate valves can be used for different water
conditions. If water pressure is over 60 psi, and
if the valve does not shut off, a pressure-
reducing valve may be needed. Your individual
situations may require a change from the
standard valve supplied with your fountain, see
your Ritchie Dealer if this is needed.
Immersion Heaters Self Regulating Heat
Cable
Part #
Volts
Watts
Part #
Volts
Watts
16311
120
250
16276
120
30
17960
240
250
16713
240
30
14158 120 500
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