Getting Started

This guide will help you to start preparing your installation project even before you receive your system. Let’s look at what’s included with your system, what materials you will need to buy, and what tools you will use to complete your installation.

-ClickON electric powered seed container

-GE remote control system

-ClickON decorative bird feeder

-3 rubber couplings

-Metal elbow

-Metal coupling

-A 100’ x 1¼" roll of Silverline Sil-O-Flex brand "water tubing" also called "irrigation tubing" (available at Lowe’s or Menards). The tubing is used to deliver the seed from the seed container in the basement/garage to the decorative bird feeder outside. It costs about $33.

-One length of 1¼" PVC pipe , PVC primer and cement, and various 1¼" fittings, as needed, depending on your configuration. The PVC is used for the indoor portion of the installation only, as a substitute for the Silverline Sil-O-Flex water tubing. We use the PVC because it’s easier to work with and because the completed indoor installation looks neater and straighter. We use PVC pipe to carry seed from the seed container up to the rubber coupling that attaches to the water tubing before the water tubing exits the building. Cost: about $13.

-A tube of acrylic caulk. The caulk is used to seal the hole where the water tubing exits the building. Also, caulk is used on the threads of the mounting pole where it screws into the metal elbow. Cost: about $5.

-(optional) a few drops of dish washing liquid as a lubricant for fitting PVC pipe into the rubber couplings.

-120 lbs. of concrete mix. The concrete secures the metal elbow so it will hold the vertical mounting pole. The intersection where the rubber coupling attaches to the metal elbow on one end and the water tubing on the other end is secured in concrete. $12

-(optional) An extra pair of hands. The additional person can stabilize the mounting pole assembly while it is being secured using guy wires and while the concrete is being poured.

-A rubber band and a plastic bag. The plastic bag and rubber band are used to cover the end of the mounting pole while the cement dries overnight, so that rainwater doesn’t get into the system accidentally before the installation is complete.

-(optional) Brinks 7 Day Digital Timer or another brand digital timer with a three pronged electrical socket. The ClickON System can be configured to operate automatically, without the remote control. The system can be set to turn itself on for a minute, and then off, at the times and days of the week you choose. The Brinks timer is available at Walmart for $14.96.

-A tape measure. For measuring PVC.

-A hacksaw. For cutting PVC.

-A flathead screwdriver. For tightening the rubber couplings.

-A level. For leveling the mounting pole.

-A drill.

-A ¼" drill bit. Used for drilling a pilot hole through to the outside.

-A 1¾" hole saw. To drill a hole to the outside.

-A round shovel. To dig the posthole and to mix the concrete.

-A spade shovel. To dig the backyard channel.

-(optional) a wheelbarrow to mix the concrete.

when choosing a location is mainly two things: where we’re gong to drill our hole through the outside wall and where we’re going to plug the unit into an electrical outlet. We also want to leave enough clearance above the unit so as to be able to remove the lid and fill it’s the container with seed from time to time.

Once we’ve chosen a location, we can determine how many PVC 90° fittings we will need, and how much PVC pipe we will need to form our path. Put a rubber coupling on the output pipe of the seed container.

Plug the seed container power cord into the GE transmitter and sync the GE transmitter and the GE key remote to the same channel but don’t plug the transmitter into the wall at this time. We will do that when we’re finished.

After we’ve chosen an appropriate location to drill our hole to the outside, we drill a pilot hole using the ¼" drill bit. We drill from the inside through to the outside. Then, we go outside. Where our pilot hole has been placed, drill inward and using the 1¾" hole saw.

Unroll the water tubing outside and push a few feet of it through the hole from the outside through to the inside, so that we can begin planning our PVC path from the seed container to the water

tubing. Inside, measure how much PVC we will need. Cut PVC lengths with the hacksaw. Complete the path from the seed container up into the water tubing using the PVC, PVC elbows, and rubber couplings.

Choose a location for your birdfeeder posthole, and lay the water tubing across the lawn and over that posthole area. The water tubing will serve to mark off our path for now.

We use a spade shovel to cut a channel in the lawn. Cut the lawn into approximately 6" wide single file sod squares to form a channel extending from the home to the posthole area at a depth of 6"-10". Remove these sod square divots and set them next to the channel.

Cut several 6" sod squares over the 1½’ square posthole area. Remove these squares and set them next to the posthole. Using the round shovel, dig the posthole deeper, down to a depth of 2’.

Set the tubing and tracer wire into the channel. Bend the tubing down from where it exits the home into a gradual bend into the channel. You may need a U-shaped piece of metal to secure the tubing to the ground at this point. The U-shaped metal may be made from coat hanger wire or something similar.

Return the sod divots into the channel over the tubing and tracer wire, but leave the posthole area and one foot of the channel leading up to the posthole area unfilled, at this stage. Step firmly on the sod to secure it. It will need watering later to fully take root.

Our objective is to fill the posthole with concrete, encasing the rubber coupling junction and most of the metal elbow in concrete, with the metal coupling on the end of the elbow protruding up from the concrete. After the concrete dries, the entire cemented area and channel is to be recovered with the sod divots, leaving only the mounting pole visible above ground.

The first step is to apply some caulk to the threads of one end of the metal elbow. Screw the metal coupling onto the caulked end of the metal elbow, and fasten a rubber coupling on the other end of the metal elbow.

To approximate where to cut the water tubing, hold the metal elbow in the center of the posthole area where it will be cemented. With the metal coupling end of the metal elbow assembly facing up, attempt to ascertain at what point the water tubing will enter the rubber coupling. Use a hacksaw to cut the water tubing at the appropriate place, and insert the water tubing into the rubber coupling end of the metal elbow assembly and fasten.

Put some caulk on the threads of one end of the mounting pole, and cover the other end with the plastic bag and a rubber band. Screw the caulked end of the mounting pole into the metal coupling of the elbow assembly, and adjust the assembly to where you think it should go. You may need an extra pair of hands for this part. Secure the metal pole and elbow assembly using guy wires and stakes which will be repositioned slightly in the next step.

Reposition the guy wires and stakes to support the pole assembly in this lifted position. The pole assembly may need to be held up by hand for a few minutes until the concrete begins to firm up. Use the level on the mounting pole and make last minute adjustments as the concrete is firming. Reposition guy wires and stakes as needed.

At this point there should be 6-8" of clearance above the concrete in the posthole to replace the sod so that the replaced sod turf is flush with the rest of the ground. Let the concrete dry overnight before replacing all of the sod. Clean the wheelbarrow and dispose of the excess concrete.

Plug the GE receiver into the outlet. Lift the lid of the seed container and fill with your favorite seeds. It holds a 50 lb bag of seed, or more. Replace the lid. The unit is ready to be used.

Start the ClickON unit with the click of the remote, and watch it fill. The remote starts and stops the filling action, with it’s on and off buttons. The seed container can be filled with any type of seed. It will provide many years of year round convenience. Enjoy!

Wishing you much success and enjoyment in birding,

Nathan Arthurs