Automated watering from low pressure tank

   / Automated watering from low pressure tank #1  

heitjer

Bronze Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Messages
88
Location
Houston, TX
Tractor
LS R4041 & LL4100 FEL
Hello All,
I installed a 65 gal water tank at my property to water some shrubs & plants automatically. I purchased a battery operated timer but just found out that this does not work on such low pressure.
I did some research but only found this system in Australia that works on low pressure. I can' t find it or nything similar in the US.

I wonder if you can give me some pointers what battery operated systems you use on your gravity fed watering systems.

Thanks in advance!

heitjer
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank #2  
Since I don't know what you have, and do not know what pressure you have--
I'll tell you that I have been using battery operated units for several years.
All of these units just open a valve so what ever pressure is there the water runs.
Some mfgs Melnor Nelson Rainbird.........
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Sorry, I could have been more specific:

This is the unit that I purchased at Amazon and it works fine on my house water system where we have decent pressure on the line. But when I use it on the 65 gal water tank (water height 1 to 2 ft = .4 to .8 psi) it will not open. I assume it needs pressure to energise.

Any similar items that I can run remotely?
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank #4  
I have a couple gilmour 9400s?

they dont require any water pressure to operate. Theres a battery in it that turns a motor, opening the valve. It will cycle even if the tap is off
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank #5  
Once the timer is cycled on and emits water , the next challenge is producing a water flow from the end of the pipe or hose onto the vegetation. You probably won't be able to use the traditional drip orifices rated at 1/2 to 4 GPH unless you have a tremendous tank height above the garden. If dripping is your intent, try using just the spaggetti hose off of the main line. If it works, then adjust the timer for your GPH needs. Keep us informed of your progress!
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks all!

I just purchased this timer from DripWorks:
tlp.gif


Quote: "This new water timer is the only battery water timer that can run a drip system from a ground level water barrel. It runs a zero pressure and is rain sensor ready."

To Nickel Plate: I am using open ended hoses on my newly planted shrubs and this works just fine in my setting.
 
   / Automated watering from low pressure tank #7  
Yep, you need the kind with a motor operated valve vs. the kind that has a plunger/pilot hole that uses (high) water pressure to operate main part of valve ala lawn sprinkler valve. Looks like you have found one. I have used Gilmour, but last time I needed one and went shopping, they had changed the design away from motor-operated!
 

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