Texas Hunting Forum

Plastic Barrel Leaks?

Posted By: MathMan

Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 02:24 AM

I made some plastic protein self feeders a while back. The deer have been eating out of them well and they work great. It finally rained at our ranch and I went out there and they had leaked water in.

Yall know any ways to seal them? I'm thinking it leaked in from how the lid meets the barrel. It's a small lip with a clamp.

Is there a way to make a gasket for it?

What about putting a better lid on it? Any ideas of better lids for cheap? Homemade ideas?

Or maybe it leaks in the leg mount screws?


Here's s pic of it.


Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 02:36 AM

Are you sure it leak or did the moisture build up inside the feeder due to pellets? Pellets are made with 10% or so moisture content. If a feeder clogs they will wick the moisture to the underside of the feeder lid then rain down inside on the pellets. The black plastic drums are the worst since they usually seal the tightest. No ventilation is bad if your feeders does not empty quickly.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 02:42 AM

I'm not sure if it leaked. Maybe it was moisture. How can I make it vent? Can I drill holes in the underside to vent air?
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 02:59 AM

Then vent will need to be so that it will not allow rain or fog to get in and not leak around it where you drill a hole in the drum. Did that drum have any plugs in the top? If so then get plumbing fitting to make a gooseneck vent that comes up and turns down with enough length to not allow moisture inside(might bushing it down to 3/4" size. Then cover the open vent with screen wire to keep wasps and bugs out.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 03:32 AM

The moisture was mainly around the sides I think but I'm not sure. I had filled it before noticing it was molded. When I was cleaning it out it seemed to be mainly by the sides. But again I'm not sure. They were still draining pellets though so it probably was by the sides mainly.

The barrel didn't have any plugs in the top, but I could drill a hole and put a fitting in it, caulk it, and put a 90 going down some and maybe extend it.

Can it be pretty small? Is a 1/2" pvc pipe ok in size?
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 03:39 AM

Yes 1/2" is plenty big, just keep up as high as you can. The feed sticking to the sides sounds like a combo of to much heat/humidity and a black feeder. I bet you can't hold you hand on the top of the feeder at 3 in the middle of the afternoon. If you check you feeder(clean with new feed) the next clear hot day after you fill it, you will see if their is any heat/moisture build up in when you open it.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 08/29/15 03:41 AM

Thanks for the help stx.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 09/20/15 02:13 AM

I finally installed the vent hoses.

You were right. There was condensation inside the feeders when it was hot today.

Also there was one leak spot in one of the lids. I caulked it good.
Posted By: SouthWestIron

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 09/26/15 03:27 AM

My first hand experience.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 09/26/15 12:39 PM

Nice video. If me putting vent hoses in my plastic feeders and caulking the lids doesn't work, then I will be going to metal.
Posted By: thorn4570

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 10/19/15 01:06 AM

I used plastic one time and squirrels or coons chewed a hole in it. It rained. Corn spoiled. Black nasty water ran into motor and timer and ruined it. Stunk and was a pain. Found out on opening day.

I will never ever use plastic again. Save yourself a lot of trouble and use metal.
Posted By: Aggieman775

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 10/22/15 02:27 PM

Ha code it in flex seal!!!! The commercial makes it look good!!!
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 11/15/15 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by blazin
My first hand experience.


Well, I'm still fighting mold clumps issues in the feeder. Tomorrow I'm finally going to get rid of the plastic barrels and put 55gallon metal barrels with galvanized lids.

I knew I should have not been a cheapskate. You live you learn.

For future reference for other people thinking of making feeders out of plastic barrels in hot south Texas weather,
DONT DO IT!

They sweat in heat and leak rain in places you can't find.
Posted By: Brother Phil

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 11/18/15 08:55 PM

Some basics for a quality feeder are: metal barrel, metal funnel (forcing cone) and a metal lid that fits on the top of the barrel and has about a 3 in overhang. Quality metal legs also help. Some guys at the lease I am on bought some plastic feeders from Academy. Yes they were cheap, but not inexpensive when they will most likely need to be replaced after each season. On that note, one of them already tipped over, broke, and has been replaced.
Posted By: Dave Davidson

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 11/21/15 04:56 PM

Add T Posts to the list. Wire them to the legs so the hogs can't tip them over.
Posted By: MathMan

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 11/21/15 06:08 PM

Originally Posted By: Brother Phil
Some basics for a quality feeder are: metal barrel, metal funnel (forcing cone) and a metal lid that fits on the top of the barrel and has about a 3 in overhang. Quality metal legs also help. Some guys at the lease I am on bought some plastic feeders from Academy. Yes they were cheap, but not inexpensive when they will most likely need to be replaced after each season. On that note, one of them already tipped over, broke, and has been replaced.
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson
Add T Posts to the list. Wire them to the legs so the hogs can't tip them over.


Also caulk the holes where the legs attach to the barrel.

$40 55 gallon barrel
$36 galvanized lid
$32 galvanized funnel
$32 leg kit
$50 primos vault feeder unit or $32 protein down spout
$4 t-post cut in thirds for stakes for legs.
$10 6v battery

Total
$204 timed corn feeder
Or
$176 protein feeder

Should last years

Or
$108 buy the metal feeder setup
$32 funnel
$36 lid

Total
$176 timed feeder
Posted By: SouthWestIron

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 12/03/15 03:39 PM

Just a side note, I built a metal one without a funnel and its working just fine.
Posted By: Wilhunt

Re: Plastic Barrel Leaks? - 12/04/15 02:51 AM

I have a heavy rubber barrel that has been in use for 19 plus years and no problems. Use a lid purchased separately that fits completely over the top of barrel0.
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