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Problem blowing out sprinkler Computer Prog 10-15-2006
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Posted by Computer Prog on October 15, 2006, 9:29 pm


I have a small 4-zone system at my house. My property is about 100 feet
deep and 50 feet wide so the sprinkler system does not really cover much
land. The system has a Wilkins Model 420 Pressure Vacuum Breaker right
where the main water line comes out of the house before it goes to the four
zone valves. There is a drain plug in the main water line outside the
house that sits right below the Wilkins breaker. This drain plug is where
the pressure tap is connected to blow out the system.

I have a Sears 5.5 HP 25 gallon compressor that is rated at 8.6 CFM @ 40
PSI and 6.4 CFM @ 90 PSI. I have 50 feet of 3/8 copper tubing in a coil at
the output of my compressor going to a water filter and a quick release
fitting. I ran 75 feet of ½" rubber air hose (after the 50-ft copper coil)
out to the drain plug below my Wilkins breaker. I filled my compressor,
turned on one zone of my sprinkler and set turned my compressor regulator
to 50 PSI of output. I heard a lot of "gurgling" at the Wilkins breaker
but my sprinkler heads did not pop up. I raised the pressure a bit to 70
PSI but the sprinkler heads still did not pop up. I had a similar problem
last year but after a while of experimenting I got the sprinkler heads to
pop at 50 PSI and the "gurgling" went away. I am not sure how I got it to
work last year but I cannot get it to work again this year.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be? Is it possible that
my compressor is not flowing enough CFM? Would it help if I pulled my
compressor out of garage and put it near the sprinkler drain plug and used
a much shorter rubber airline to hook up my pressure tap?

Plumbing 468x60
Posted by Sev on October 15, 2006, 9:46 pm



Not sure, but I know in general the problem is that your pressure can
be high enough to damage system, while cfm is too low. I'm impressed
that you got it to work last year, as it may with a small system, but
usually wiser to bring in a pro. Irrigation co charged me $60 last
year, seemed reasonable. Got new seed in this year, so I'm still using
it.


Posted by RicodJour on October 15, 2006, 9:58 pm




> I have a small 4-zone system at my house. My property is about 100 feet
> deep and 50 feet wide so the sprinkler system does not really cover much
> land. The system has a Wilkins Model 420 Pressure Vacuum Breaker right
> where the main water line comes out of the house before it goes to the fo=
ur
> zone valves. There is a drain plug in the main water line outside the
> house that sits right below the Wilkins breaker. This drain plug is where
> the pressure tap is connected to blow out the system.
>
> I have a Sears 5.5 HP 25 gallon compressor that is rated at 8.6 CFM @ 40
> PSI and 6.4 CFM @ 90 PSI. I have 50 feet of 3/8 copper tubing in a coil =
at
> the output of my compressor going to a water filter and a quick release
> fitting. I ran 75 feet of =BD" rubber air hose (after the 50-ft copper c=
oil)
> out to the drain plug below my Wilkins breaker. I filled my compressor,
> turned on one zone of my sprinkler and set turned my compressor regulator
> to 50 PSI of output. I heard a lot of "gurgling" at the Wilkins breaker
> but my sprinkler heads did not pop up. I raised the pressure a bit to 70
> PSI but the sprinkler heads still did not pop up. I had a similar problem
> last year but after a while of experimenting I got the sprinkler heads to
> pop at 50 PSI and the "gurgling" went away. I am not sure how I got it to
> work last year but I cannot get it to work again this year.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be? Is it possible that
> my compressor is not flowing enough CFM? Would it help if I pulled my
> compressor out of garage and put it near the sprinkler drain plug and used
> a much shorter rubber airline to hook up my pressure tap?

You're moving too little air. 50 PSI is right, but you need probably
double or triple the volume you're getting at the pressure tap.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/LawnCare/Winterblow.asp

R


Posted by EXT on October 16, 2006, 2:41 pm


125 feet of small diameter tubing will not allow enough air to move through
the system. You will need much larger diameter, or preferably shorter
length. Moving the compressor close to the sprinkler piping would certainly
help.




> I have a small 4-zone system at my house. My property is about 100 feet
> deep and 50 feet wide so the sprinkler system does not really cover much
> land. The system has a Wilkins Model 420 Pressure Vacuum Breaker right
> where the main water line comes out of the house before it goes to the
> four
> zone valves. There is a drain plug in the main water line outside the
> house that sits right below the Wilkins breaker. This drain plug is where
> the pressure tap is connected to blow out the system.
>
> I have a Sears 5.5 HP 25 gallon compressor that is rated at 8.6 CFM @ 40
> PSI and 6.4 CFM @ 90 PSI. I have 50 feet of 3/8 copper tubing in a coil
> at
> the output of my compressor going to a water filter and a quick release
> fitting. I ran 75 feet of ½" rubber air hose (after the 50-ft copper
> coil)
> out to the drain plug below my Wilkins breaker. I filled my compressor,
> turned on one zone of my sprinkler and set turned my compressor regulator
> to 50 PSI of output. I heard a lot of "gurgling" at the Wilkins breaker
> but my sprinkler heads did not pop up. I raised the pressure a bit to 70
> PSI but the sprinkler heads still did not pop up. I had a similar problem
> last year but after a while of experimenting I got the sprinkler heads to
> pop at 50 PSI and the "gurgling" went away. I am not sure how I got it to
> work last year but I cannot get it to work again this year.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be? Is it possible that
> my compressor is not flowing enough CFM? Would it help if I pulled my
> compressor out of garage and put it near the sprinkler drain plug and used
> a much shorter rubber airline to hook up my pressure tap?

You're moving too little air. 50 PSI is right, but you need probably
double or triple the volume you're getting at the pressure tap.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/LawnCare/Winterblow.asp

R



Posted by Mikepier on October 16, 2006, 12:20 am


Is there a way you can blow it out after the breaker? I also have a
vacuum breaker and I had a similiar problem. Sometimes if I lowered the
air output a little , the breaker would close, then I would gradually
increase the PSI output again.
What I eventually did is put a drain valve after the breaker, with a
seperate shut-off as to not backfeed into the breaker.


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