SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Thanks for everyones help regarding my post. I hope others have learned something as well. I'm ready to start my project. I will start measuring this weekend and taking the appropriate pressure readings using a Toro pressure reader. I have also called the water company to get what they think the pressure is. I will obiviously compare the two. I will take before and after pictures of my yard and my project at each stage. When the project is complete I will post a link so everyone will be able to see the project and provide feedback. My yard looks aweful right now because Chicago had a bad drought this year and they restricted watering hopefully everyone will see the difference by late spring next year. Thanks again guys.
Mark

If the water meter is in the basement, you don't have to care about the burial depth of any of the sprinkler system pipe, as far as freezing goes, since you will be removing all the water before winter comes anyway.

You absolutely want to have a shutoff valve in your basement with some sort of drain installed right after it, or you can install a valve with a built in drain. Also make sure you use a ball valve as your shut off valve.

I always install controllers in the garage.

I have read that the main line that feeds the manifolds should be at leat 18" deep. The deeper the better actually especially in colder climate areas. Actually, any line that has contant pressure is considered a main. Manifolds are not going to sit that deep in the ground so how do I protect the main feeding the manifold? Or do I place a shutoff vavle in the basement on the main that feeds the manifolds and turn it off before the first frost. This way the main outside is empty of water before the freezing temps start occuring. Also, do you recommend the controller on the outside or inside? What has been your experiences with were you put your controller?
Thanks,
Mark

You don't need a bucket when you have a water meter to read.

Thanks Wet Boots for the info. I have now read to I'm blue in the face. www.irrigationtutorials.com is a really good site. I'm going out and getting a pressure gauge to take the correct readings. Jess from irrigationtutorials doesn't recommend the bucket method that is why I used his chart for figuring out the flow only. I will also use the bucket method but since their is no resistance when filling up the bucket how do I equate for the correct flow. His site says just to use his chart along as I have the correct size measurements or the meter and the main. From all my reading this the absolute most important part of the project. The reason why most systems do not work is do to inaccurate readings from the beginning of the project.

Since you were unclear on that a valve manifold is, I figured you have some more reading to do. You need to get a pressure gauge, and actually run some water and measure the flow and pressure. Don't read tables for this. Measure it and be certain.

Thanks for link Wet Boots. I actually read all this recently. I saw one of your other posts and this link was really helpfull. I went downstairs and measured the pipe feeding the house and it measured at a one inch pipe. I also looked at the water meter to see what it said and it read 5/8, 3/4. Does this mean the water meter can accomodate both. I know that it is not uncommon(according to irrigationtutorials) for the meter to be one size smaller then the pipe so is it safe to say that my meter is 3/4" and the pipe(which I measured is 1") this would give me a flow of 17GPM. I have to be sure on this calc.
Thanks,
Mark

http://www.irrigationtutorials.com/

Also, I forgot one thing. Which is the best product to get? Since I'm installing this unit myself I don't mind spending extra on a really quality system.

Thanks again,
Mark