Inground sprinkler system

woodlot · May 24, 2006

I'm going to drive a 2" well point to run a sprinkler system and I'm having a heck of a time on the design. I want to irrigate about 1000sf of turf to start and add zones as my lawn expands. I'm estimating a 6-8 + gpm well at approx. 16 feet, if I have to I'll drive a 2nd point to get it.

I've gone through some of the on-line tutorials and my head is spinning with terms like: "feet-of-head" , gpm, psi, design pressure, design volume. Now, I'm not a special-ed student, and I grasp most of these concepts, but I'm still a bit blown away.

Most refrences say that 40psi is needed for spray heads, but the information sheet on the heads I want to use says 25psi, what's up with that? I'm also concerned that when I add zones I'll want to use some impact heads. Those require much more PSI, like 50.

Anyway, I was hoping for advice from some guys who have done this before. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I thought this was going to be a fun, easy project! What was I thinking? And to top if off I've got my wife excited about it so theres no turing back now.

Here's a link to the pump I'm considering (the 1.5hp): flotec pump

Here's the spray heads (the 12' radius):
orbit spray head

Your real world experiance with these systems would be most helpful, espically from a design and pump sizing standpoint, Thanks!

woodlot · May 24, 2006

I'm going to drive a 2" well point to run a sprinkler system and I'm having a heck of a time on the design. I want to irrigate about 1000sf of turf to start and add zones as my lawn expands. I'm estimating a 6-8 + gpm well at approx. 16 feet, if I have to I'll drive a 2nd point to get it.

I've gone through some of the on-line tutorials and my head is spinning with terms like: "feet-of-head" , gpm, psi, design pressure, design volume. Now, I'm not a special-ed student, and I grasp most of these concepts, but I'm still a bit blown away.

Most refrences say that 40psi is needed for spray heads, but the information sheet on the heads I want to use says 25psi, what's up with that? I'm also concerned that when I add zones I'll want to use some impact heads. Those require much more PSI, like 50.

Anyway, I was hoping for advice from some guys who have done this before. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I thought this was going to be a fun, easy project! What was I thinking? And to top if off I've got my wife excited about it so theres no turing back now.

Here's a link to the pump I'm considering (the 1.5hp): flotec pump

Here's the spray heads (the 12' radius):
orbit spray head

Your real world experiance with these systems would be most helpful, espically from a design and pump sizing standpoint, Thanks!

slowrev · May 24, 2006

One other consideration in your area would be draining the system in the winter.....

do like I did hook up heads on top of the gound in a temp fashion till I got the spray patterns and coverage I wanted.

You will need several zones I expect. Rain bird or someone used to have an online worksheet thing for planning out your system.
Ben

slowrev · May 24, 2006

One other consideration in your area would be draining the system in the winter.....

do like I did hook up heads on top of the gound in a temp fashion till I got the spray patterns and coverage I wanted.

You will need several zones I expect. Rain bird or someone used to have an online worksheet thing for planning out your system.
Ben

_RaT_ · May 24, 2006

A impact like the RainBird MaxiPaw does not require much PSI to operate well. They also come with variable nozzles which allow you to adjust the precipitation rate depending on the arc and distance. 40 PSI is a good pressure for many heads, gear drivens will do OK but 60 PSI works better with them. Design your system on the lower GPM side, in other words, have plenty of circuits, but, design it so the pump does not cycle! As Slowrev said, also design it for freeze protection.

_RaT_ · May 24, 2006

A impact like the RainBird MaxiPaw does not require much PSI to operate well. They also come with variable nozzles which allow you to adjust the precipitation rate depending on the arc and distance. 40 PSI is a good pressure for many heads, gear drivens will do OK but 60 PSI works better with them. Design your system on the lower GPM side, in other words, have plenty of circuits, but, design it so the pump does not cycle! As Slowrev said, also design it for freeze protection.

woodlot · May 24, 2006

( design it so the pump does not cycle! )

Thanks, that's a tip I had not considered. One that I don't really know how to avoid, but a good one anyway!

woodlot · May 24, 2006

( design it so the pump does not cycle! )

Thanks, that's a tip I had not considered. One that I don't really know how to avoid, but a good one anyway!

_RaT_ · May 24, 2006

It's pretty easy
Design the number of circuits to match the well output as well as the pump.
The pump can be tied to the sprinkler control clock which can activate the solenoid that turns on the pump.

Is your pump in the well?

_RaT_ · May 24, 2006

It's pretty easy
Design the number of circuits to match the well output as well as the pump.
The pump can be tied to the sprinkler control clock which can activate the solenoid that turns on the pump.

Is your pump in the well?