Non-Potable
Applications For non-potable applications only, optional valve mounting hardware is available to relocate the
valve in the additional hole in the bottom of the valve chamber. Contact your Ritchie authorized dealer for more
information. Non-potable option is not available for WM 1200.
Installation Variations
Incoming water temperature and pressure will vary, and will affect the performance of your fountain. Well
water will be between 45
o
and 50
o
, 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
The Ritchie WaterMaster family comes standard with our 3/4" yellow high pressure valve that is rated up to
110 psi. If water pressure is very high, 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.
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
WaterMaster Series Instruction Manual
5
31 August, 2019
