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Posted by Bob F on June 10, 2008, 6:01 pm
> On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:54:23 -0700, Bob F wrote:
>
>>>I have decided to use my sump water for irrigating my yard. I will
>>> combine 4x55 gallon plastic drums for a resevoir to give me enough
>>> capacity to run 1/2 hour. So I don't plan on having a "pressure tank".
>>> Ill let the pump manage the pressure. HOpefully that is feasible. Im
>>> going to use a shallow well pump unless anyone has better suggestion.
>>>
>>> A few questions though.
>>>
>>>
>>> I understand I don't need a backflow prevention system since this must
>>> be totally disconnected from municipal water.
>>>
>>> IN this case, what type of valve to I need to allow this thing to be
>>> blown out in the winter since currently the blow out ports are on my
>>> backflow preventer. Where should I put this valve?
>>>
>>> Where should I put shutoff valves? 1 on each side of the pump?
>>>
>>> Do I need a sprinkler master valve now? That is, when the pump is off,
>>> will water still pass through it? I assume so. And if I do need a
>>> master valve, should this go before or after the pump?
>>>
>>>
>> It is important that there is no way the pump system can introduce water
>> into the city water system or your house system. If you are going to
>> couple into the sprinkler system you have, you will either have to
>> disconnect the city water from it or have multiple valves and backflow
>> preventers (not just vacume breakers). If you are going to disconnect it
>> from the city water, how will you deal with watering when the pump
>> system fails or runs out of water?
>
> I know, thats why my first statement was that I will totally disconnect
> from municipal water.
> If there is no ground water, then the lawn will not get watered. I been
> hear 5 years though, and the water is non-stop.
>
>>
>> You may be able to build the pump system with unions to allow easy
>> disconnection of the pump for winter so you can store the pump inside.
>> Make sure the pump lines will drain completely in this case. Some pumps
>> are very sensitive to air in the intake line, so you may want to design
>> carefulle so that air is quickly displaced by the water from the tank.
>> Put valves where you will need they to work on things without draining
>> all your water.
>
> Hmm. The pump will run automatically. Do you think I will need a float
> switch to shut it down in case the barrels empty for some reason?
>
>
>>
>> A simple spring check valve might be enough to prevent water flow
>> through the pump when it is off, depending on the water height of the
>> storage behind the pump. A small pressure tank and pressure switch would
>> solve this problem and automate more of the process, making the system
>> easier to use. Either way, you do need a switch to shut down the pump
>> when the water runs out, or you will trash the pump.
>>
>
> Hmm. So I will need a float switch. I do have a spare pressure switch
> from my sump, but I dont know how well that will work. Ill try a simple
> float. But if there is something I can mount right on a piece of PVC that
> would be excellent!?
There are many kinds of switches available. Some may need a relay to power the
pump, and perhaps a low voltage power supply. Check at a good local hardware
store, especially one that supplies farmers. Where I am, the box stores don't
stock much of this kind of stuff.
>
>
>> 200 gallons is going to be a pretty light watering unless each zone is
>> pretty small. Deeper watering encourages deeper roots.
>
> 200 is only the resevoir. total watering will be more like 380 gallons.
> And thats per zone.
> The sump cant keep up with 18gpm so I add the reservoir to make up the
> difference.
>
>
>>
>> Make sure your sump output has somewhere to go after the tanks fill if
>> you are using the sump pump to fill them.
>
> I will have an overflow that runs the water to where its going now. WHich
> is down the hill into the stream in my backyard.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the help. I went and got 3 55 gallon drums over lunch @$15
> each. Former juice barrels. I'm on my way now.
Have you figured out how you will plumb to the barrels?
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