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

I am planning to install the splingler system in September. My facet has 55 PSI and 10 GPM (when I combine two facets, otherwise only 6 GPM). I need to choose Rotors between Rain Bird and Hunter. A few questions:

[1] Is it ok to combine two facets to increase the GPM? Is there any potential problem I need to prevent for this combination?

[2] In a typical zone, I have 2 quarter, 1 half and 1 full circles. How can I choose Rotors with specific nozzles to balance the water flow in the same zone. From your web info, I found

Rain Bird 5000 Standard Angle has Nozzles(GPM): 1.0(1.23), 1.5(1.60), 2.0(2.56), 3.0(3.95), 4.0(4.96), 6.0(7.03)

Hunter I-20 Ultra has Nozzles(GPM) has Nozzles(GPM): 1.0(1.2), 1.5(1.6), 2.0(2.0), 3.0(2.7), 3.5(3.4), 4.0(4.2), 6.0(5.5), 8.0(7.6)

Which set shall I choose?

[3] Can I use Hunter's rotors while Rain Bird's controller?

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Here are the answers to your questions-
Thanks a lot.

(1) Connect to your mainline in your basement or out side after the water meter depending where you live. If you use the faucets, you do not have backflow pervention. When you connect to your mainline, you have the capibility to get all the pressure and GPM's

Since my basement has been finished and the mainline outside is diffcult to modified, I plan to combine flows from two faucets into one source line for the springler system. I have tested this combination and achived 10 GPM. Is that a problem? If I have to use the mainline after water meter, I may have to get some plummer to work on.

In addition, what do you mean by "do not have backflow pervention"?


(2) For this you should really check into what you GPM would be from the mainline, not the faucet. Let me know when you find out. But how to find out what nozzle to use for your rotors, take the nozzle GPM times how many sprinklers you have. Make sure the GPM for the four sprinklers is under 10 GPM, or how many GPM you may have.

I still have trouble in understanding the flow balance. I read some books, which state that balancing flow is necessary to prevent the dry or wet spots. Taking Hunter I-20 Ultra as an example, if I use Nozzle 1.0 for the two quarter circles, 2.0 for the half circle, 4.0 for the full circle, the total GPM is 8.6. Since the Nozzle 1.0 cover the quarter circle 4 times when Nozzle 4.0 finish one full circle, I guess the water is evenly distributed: the corresponding GPM is 4x1.2 (quarter circle), 2X2.0 (half circle), 1x4.2 (full circle). Am I correct?

(3) The rotors really have nothing to do with the controller, but yes you can use different brand controllers with different brand rotors. This goes for sprays and valves, too.

Great.

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Thank you very much for your help. I will see if I could attach to the mainline.