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

Hello,

I'm making some progress on my sprinkler system, and have a quick questions on what GPM reading to use?

I have my Conbraco 4A-505-02F 1 in. PVB installed now, with 1" piping from the basement, and leaving the PVB I have 1" copper pipe to a T, one end is plugged off until I run it to my manifold, the other end has a 3/4" valve and hose adapter.

From the 3/4" valve, I opened it all the way, and let it run 5 minutes to get an accurate reading, then proceeded to fill a 5 gallon bucket, it took 12 seconds, I did this about 5 times, and it was 12 seconds every time which is 25gpm? I then left the water running, and checked the pressure gauge on the well, and it read 30psi. (well setting are 40-60, but the pump couldn't keep up.)

I know 30psi is too low so i throttled back the 3/4" valve until the well held at 50psi and re-did the bucket test, and it took 18 seconds to fill the bucket.so that's 16.6 GPM?

What would you recommend I figure for a max GPM per zone, that will still leave about 4gpm in the house for a shower to run?

Thanks!

Yea, I'm getting 25gpm, but that's only at 30psi, so not much use for sprinklers.
I think I will plan for 10gpm per zone and see how it works on the 1st zone.

Thanks Wetboots, that's a good idea, what is the minimum pressure I should try for? 50psi at the well tank? Would 50psi at the well tank, be about 45psi at the sprinkler heads? I want to make sure I have 40psi at the sprinkler heads.

And yea DogT, I'm very happy with my new well, it's a custom point well, with 3 points, and a 1HP pump. The hardest part of the test was keeping the bucket from flipping over when I started filling it! when I let the hose go, it flops around like a fire hose.