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eagle670

New Member

1

Tuesday, July 16th 2013, 10:43pm

help for garden irrigation

I have a 20x30 garden that I want to irrigate. I have several different types of sprinkler heads that are circle and rectangular spray patterns. My problem is that I don't have enough pressure to operate them. I bought a booster pump from harbor freight but it still doesn't have enough pressure. The heads do not even pop up. I have the heads connected in line, 6 total, with 1/2 inch pipe. The supply line is a 3/4 inch garden hose that is hooked to the pump. The pump is rated at 71psi, according to the book, but the outside of the box says that it has a max psi of 36. So I am not sure what it is really. The hoses on the pump are 4 ft each so what ever the psi really is should not have any loss when it enters the 1/2 inch pipe to the heads. What do I need to do to get this to work?

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 4,102

Location: Metro NYC

2

Wednesday, July 17th 2013, 8:32am

You need to get a grip on the friction-loss numbers for various pipes and fittings, since you are probably trying to force too much water through too small a pipe.

and as for a Harbor Freight pump? - meh

eagle670

New Member

3

Wednesday, July 17th 2013, 8:46am

My knowledge of lawn irrigation is next to nothing, so that is why I came to the experts for advice. Just tell me what size pipe that I need to use and as to how many sprinkler heads to I need to cover the area. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.
Oh and I understand the Harbor Freight opinions, I was looking for a quick fix, I am taking it back tomorrow and going to get a better pump, but I am not sure what I need to buy.

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 4,102

Location: Metro NYC

4

Wednesday, July 17th 2013, 9:18am

just use a hose-end sprinkler for now, because you need to go back to school and learn what's what - this site has some good tutorials, and links to more

first you learn - then you act

eagle670

New Member

5

Wednesday, July 17th 2013, 8:29pm

Just wanted to see if I could get some answers, thought that was what forums were for. Sorry to have bothered you, I'll go look for answers elsewhere.

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 4,102

Location: Metro NYC

6

Thursday, July 18th 2013, 1:28pm

You have to give to get. You have unknown sprinklers that aren't working, in conjunction with an unknown pump, with a garden hose in the water pathway. You need a crystal ball to get answers for that combo.

And as long as you are employing garden hose, you could have one single high-mounted sprinkler cover the entire garden, and you could feed the garden hose with a clock-controller valve. Job done. No pump needed. No tutorials.

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