Hi, It has been a while and I have been busy setting up my system. I have learned friction loss is not as big a deal in drip irrigation (as Dr. Pete pointed out earlier) since you must reduce pressure to keep from popping off the emitters from the main and sublines. I'm not real sure the guy who took me to task on my naive pressure statement above really knows too much about drip irrigation. I think he is a sprinkler guy where friction is a big concern. Altitude from the water source I think has...
Ray and Dr Pete, I appreciate the information. Just in case someone else is inclined to do drip irrigation check out this link http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/irrigation/g525.htm It is a University of Nebraska release that pretty well answers most questions about pressure and system capacity. Not much on specific product brands and pipe friction. That's where you guys were a big help. Thanks!! John
Pete, The table was very helpful on friction's effect on water flow, I appreciate you sending the link. Still waiting to hear back from Ray on solving my problem and answering my pipe question on 'is 160 PSI poly really needed'. I'm going with the valve and controller products Ray recommended unless another expert has a recommendation. Thanks again
Hey Ray, Right now nothing is in the ground, so I can go 3/4" to the main valves and then 1/2" for the drip lines. I'm concerned about going 1/2" poly all the way because of pressure spikes you guys talk about in your emails. However, with installation of a pressure reducer that is required for drip irrigation (so you dont blow the emitters off the pipe), I'm not sure that is a real concern. I'm renting a trencher or poly pipe puller soon to install. I do pay attention to expert advice and I rea...
You are right on target with the purpose of drip irrigation. It is a low pressure slow delivery system that is more efficient than sprinklers on trees and scrubs (of no use on turf). I guess I am not on board concerning flow. That is, if you turn the water on on a hose no matter what length it is - it has to come out (at the same pressure) at the other end. So unless you are using many emitters (drippers) on the line, the pressure is the same at both ends. So if you calculate the gph flow and it...
I've got about 3 acres of trees scrubs and a veggi garden. Everything is spread out. I read that you cannot use more than 200 ft of 1/2" pipe and it's got to be 160 PSI poly. I've read other pamphlets that contradict that: like the Ortho book on sprinklers and drip says you can go way over 200 ft.?? Well I have some circuits that would be 200 ft or more longer than that - so should I run 3/4" to the valve for each circuit? This is for drip only no turf and no preexisting system. Is there a parti...
