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Posted by J.A. Michel on September 3, 2006, 4:25 pm
>
>> I'm designing a sprinkler system for my yard. This will be a fairly
>> complex system, as the area to be watered is fairly large. I'm going to
>> DIY install the system. I have a good handle on most everything that
>> needs to done, however, I need help determining my available flow in GPM.
>
> Neither of your measurments is accurate because of restrictions in the
> valves. You need to measure the flow at the open end of the pipe.
>
> According to my Pocket Ref, a 1" nozzle at 60 psi can have a flow rate of
> 232 gpm. There will be friction losses too. A 1/4" nozzle would have the
> 14 gpm that you measured. Considering the opening at the valve stem, that
> may be correct. Even your water meter will have some restrictions in it,
> as does your main valve.
232 GPM? Maybe from a fire hydrant, but not a house. Perhaps it's 23.2?
>
>
>>
>> Second question:
>> The spot where I plan to tap for the system is about 4ft after the
>> watermeter. The pipe is 3/4" copper. To maximize flow, should I replace
>> the 3/4" with 1"? Or will such a short length of pipe matter? I plan to
>> use 1 1/4" PVC going to the zone valves as well. Is this OK?
>
> The flow will be restricted by the smallest pipe diameter on the water's
> path. The 1 1/4" going to the zone vales will not improve anything.
> Changing the 3/4" line will only help if the meter is not restricted down
> to that size.
Agreed. The short section of 3/4" will be replaced with 1" copper, and main
to the zones will be 1"pipe.
>
> There are other ways to assure the flow you need. Since you have zone
> valves, set the timer to do different zones at different times. Not every
> portion of your lawn needs the same amount of water anyway. An please,
> don't be like some of the idiots that have the sprinklers on in the rain.
Agreed. I'll try not to.
>> Smarter would be to plant a yard that does not need added water to
>> thrive.
I have no yard right now. Anything I plant will require water.
> As water becomes more difficult to supply, large yards with perfectly
> manicured lawns will be looked on by society in the same category as
> smokers and Hummer drivers.
Spare me the tree hugger bullshit!!
I want a really nice green perfectly manicured yard, and I don't rightly
give a shit what the tree-huggers say.
That's why I'm putting the system in.<duh> I also am a smoker, if that
makes a difference. My employer
has a major contract to machine parts for a fire supression systems that are
installed aboard HumVees. Those
Hummers are wonderful vehicles, which are bringing home our men and women in
uniform who would have
otherwise come home in a body bag. If someone wants to drive a humvee on
the street, that's fine with me! It's their money
after all. The tree huggers that whine about hummers are just jealous that
they can't afford one.
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