Leaf Eater Ultra Rain Head - 3" or 4" Round Downspout Filter - Rain Harvesting

Description

New model with adapter for either 3" or 4" connections. Note that these are "sewer" pipe dimensions, not schedule 40. At many of the home centers, sewer-dimension pipe is located with the garden supplies.
This from the manufacturer . . .
Leaf Eater Ultra Rain Head
The Rain Harvesting Leaf Eater Ultra is a feature-packed rain head that keeps leaves and mosquitoes out of your pipes – and looks good doing it.
Capture more rainwater
The Leaf Eater Ultra rain head is packed full of leaf shedding technology to maximise the volume of water you collect while still handling high flow rates. The patented Hydro Active Filtration™ screen vibrates for maximum leaf shedding, while larger leaves and debris are deflected before they even reach it by the Leaf Slide “fingers”.
Complements a contemporary look
Less obtrusive than traditional rain heads, the sleek cover and casing offer a contemporary look to blend with your home. Compatible with horizontal and vertical pipe outlets, it can even be installed mid-way down your pipes on “dry” rain harvesting systems for easier maintenance.
Improve your rainwater quality
By keeping leaves, debris and mosquitoes out of your downpipes, the rain head’s stainless steel 955 micron mosquito-proof screen significantly reduces potential sources of contamination so you get better quality rainwater.
This Rain Head incorporates a VH Pivot outlet that swivels to suit vertical or horizontal downpipes. Pivot the outlet to suit vertical or horizontal (rear outlet) downpipes enabling a variety of installation options in one product, for instance in a tight space under a low set fascia.
Rain Heads filter leaves and debris out of your downpipes with their 955 micron screens. They also minimise splashing to increase the volume of rainwater you harvest.
Rain Heads secure the system with the 955 micron mosquito-proof screens that prevent insects and other animals from entering and breeding or living in your downpipes.
Gutter mount (vertical)
Locate the position at which you want to install your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head. Whether this is directly under your gutter or eave or midway down your downpipe, it should be a minimum of 500mm above your tank inlet and tank overflow pipe.
Measure 308mm from the bottom of your gutter outlet and cut and remove this section of downpipe. Ensure the cut edge is clean and smooth.
Remove your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head cover by unscrewing the two screws.
Remove the cap and determine if there is enough space to insert between the gutter and Leaf Eater Ultra, allowing for the rain head to be screwed to the fascia. Use snips to remove a section to fit the appropriate downpipe.If there is not enough space dispose of cap.
Slide the cap up the top section of downpipe and hold temporarily in place.
Slide the rain head outlet into the bottom section of downpipe.
Secure your rain head by screwing it into position through the screw slots provided. Use appropriate screws (and anchors, if required).
Check the placement of the vibrating screen. Ensure it sits behind and below the front face.
Insert the Leaf Slide into the slot holes.
Re-install the front cover.
If desired, you can paint your rain head and cover to match your downpipes and/or building.
Gutter mount (horizontal)
Locate the position at which you want to install your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head. Whether this is directly under your gutter or eave or midway down your downpipe, it should be a minimum of 500mm above your tank inlet and tank overflow pipe.
Swivel the outlet to the horizontal position. Some force may be required.
Remove your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head cover by unscrewing the two screws.
Remove the cap and determine if there is enough space to insert between the gutter and Leaf Eater Ultra, allowing for the rain head to be screwed to the fascia. Use snips to remove a section to fit the appropriate downpipe. If there is not enough space dispose of cap.
Position the Leaf Eater Ultra next to the existing downpipe, mark and cut top and bottom cut lines. Ensure all cut edges are clean and smooth.
Use solvent cement to glue the bottom outlet into the horizontal pipe.
Screw your rain head into position through the screw slots provided. Ensure appropriate screws (and anchors, if required) are used.
Check the placement of the vibrating screen. Ensure it sits behind and below the front face.
Insert the Leaf Slide into the slot holes.
Re-install the front cover.
If desired, you can paint your rain head and cover to match your downpipes and/or building.
Eave & “mid” mount (vertical & horizontal)
Locate the position at which you want to install your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head. Whether this is directly under your gutter or eave or midway down your downpipe, it should be a minimum of 500mm above your tank inlet and tank overflow pipe.
Remove a 308mm section of pipe at your desired installation point. Ensure all cut edges are clean and smooth.
Remove the cap and use snips to remove a section to fit the appropriate downpipe.
For horizontal installation, swivel the outlet to the horizontal position. Some force may be required.
Remove your Leaf Eater Ultra rain head cover by unscrewing the two screws.
Slide the cap up the top section of downpipe and hold temporarily in place.
For vertical installation, insert your rain head by sliding the outlet into the bottom section of downpipe. For horizontal installation, use solvent cement to glue the bottom outlet into the horizontal pipe. Regardless of which configuration you choose, the back-fixing plate must sit behind the top section of downpipe.
Screw your Leaf Eater Ultra into position through the screw slots provided. Ensure appropriate screws (and anchors, if required) are used.
Check the placement of the vibrating screen. Ensure it sits behind and below the front face.
Insert the Leaf Slide into the slot holes.
Re-install the front cover.
Slide the cap back down the downpipe until it sits securely on the top of your Leaf Eater Ultra.
If desired, you can paint your rain head and cover to match your downpipes and/or building.
Maintenance
Your rain head’s patented Hydro Activated Filtration™ screen technology is mostly self-cleaning. If cleaning is required, simply hose or brush off the screen.
What's in the box?
Leaf Eater Ultra
Leaf Eater Ultra (multi fit cap)
Leaf Eater Ultra (leaf slide)
Tools you may require
Tape measure
Marker pen
Saw
Tin snips (eave & “mid” mount)
Screws
Screwdriver or drill
Solvent cement glue
Product FAQs
How high should I install my Leaf Eater rain head?
Rain heads must be installed so they are higher than the inlet on your rainwater tank. This is necessary to allow water to flow through the pipework to your tank and to avoid water overflowing from your rain head.
If you have a wet rain harvesting system (a system where pipes feeding your tank sit below the level of the tank inlet and hold water), you should install your rain head a minimum of 500mm (19.6″) above the height of your tank inlet. Where possible, we recommend that you maximise the height of your rain head in relation to your tank inlet even further. This may be especially necessary if you have a longer wet system.
For best results, consult a licensed plumber to discuss the optimal height of your rain heads so you can avoid damage to your property, risks to your personal safety and other negative consequences of water overflowing from your rain heads.
Should I mount my Leaf Eater rain head at the gutter or on the wall?
The ideal location for a rain head is directly beneath your gutter outlet at the fascia board or eaves. Where access is difficult – for example, on a two-storey house – your rain head can be installed “mid” mount on the wall lower down away from the gutter. When selecting your installation point, it’s important to consider the height of your rainwater tank inlet, as your rain head should be installed a minimum of 500mm (19.6″) above the height of your tank inlet. Your chosen installation point should tread the balance between maximum height in relation to the height of your tank inlet, and safe and easy accessibility for maintenance.
Can I paint my Leaf Eater rain head?
Yes. All the rain heads in our Leaf Eater range can be painted to match your home or building. Check with your local paint retailer to ensure you select a product that’s suitable for use with plastic.
I have pine needles. Which Leaf Eater rain head should I use?
All our Leaf Eater rain heads are suitable for use in areas with pine needles. However, due to the fine size of the needles, more regular maintenance will be required to remove any pine needle debris from your rain head.
My Leaf Eater rain head is overflowing. Why is this happening?
The most common reason a rain head overflows is insufficient or irregular maintenance. Check and clean your rain head screens regularly to ensure they continue to function optimally.
Alternatively, your rain head may overflow if there is insufficient “fall” from the rain head to the tank inlet – in other words, if your rain head is not positioned high enough in relation to the height of your rainwater tank inlet. A height difference between your rain head and tank inlet is necessary to allow water to be pushed through your rain harvesting system under gravity.
Will my Leaf Eater rain head splash water into my covered patio area?
Rain heads with an open “face” have an angled, self-cleaning screen designed to minimise splashing as leaves and debris are deflected away from the flow of water. This applies to all our rain heads that feature our Clean Shield screens, as well as the Leaf Eater Original.
If you are still concerned about splashing, consider choosing a rain head with an anti-splash cover such as the Leaf Eater Slimline or Leaf Eater Ultra.
What’s the difference between the Leaf Eater Original and Leaf Eater Ultra?
The Leaf Eater Original is our trusted, original, all-round rain head. It features a primary self-cleaning stainless steel screen with a 5.4mm aperture (hole size) and a secondary mosquito-proof 955 micron stainless steel screen.
The Leaf Eater Ultra is the result of many years of research, development and refinement. It features a patented VH Pivot for installation on horizontal and vertical downpipes, a sleek anti-splash cover and a patented Hydro Activated Filtration screen system for maximum leaf shedding.
What’s the difference between each rain head in the Leaf Eater range?
All our Leaf Eater rain heads feature mosquito-proof screens and are designed to keep leaves, debris, mosquitoes and other pests out of your downpipes and rain harvesting system. Several of our rain heads feature patented VH pivots for installation on horizontal and vertical downpipes, some feature anti-splash covers and some feature additional technology such as our Hydro Activated Filtration screen system and red overflow indicator flags.