How to Do a Drip Irrigation With an Automatic Sprinkler System
The major factor to remember when integrating drip irrigation with a conventional automatic sprinkler system is the difference in flow rates. Conventional sprinkler systems are designed to work based on the amount of water used in gallons per minute, while drip irrigation systems use water at gallons per hour rates. Obviously, watering times will be different, and drip and conventional sprinkler components will have to be on different watering lines or "circuits" and managed by different timer/controller "stations." Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Overall irrigation plan
- Automatic irrigation valves
- Automatic irrigation timer/controller
Instructions
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Overall Irrigation Plan
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1
Lay out the overall irrigation plan and separate into watering lines--typically called circuits. Each circuit will be controlled by a station on the irrigation timer/controller. Remember that drip (gallons per hour-GPH) and sprinkler (gallons per minute-GPM) irrigation lines will have to be separate because the water flows are so different.
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2
Determine how many circuits and stations are needed for conventional sprinklers based on the amount of water pressure and water in GPM required at each sprinkler head.
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3
Use drip irrigation wherever possible. Drip emitters are the drip irrigation equivalent of sprinkler heads and come in a wide array of configurations that drip, bubble, mist and even spray to mimic conventional sprinklers. Because of this versatility, drip components can be used to replace most conventional sprinklers--especially in residential landscape design.
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4
Divide drip watering stations logically. Because of its low pressure and flow rate demands, it might be possible to put all drip irrigation for a small residence on one watering circuit wrapped completely around the property, but it makes more sense, for maintenance reasons, to have a valve and drip line for the front yard, one for the back and so forth. Annual flowers and vegetable gardens should be on separate stations as their watering needs will be different than landscape ornamentals.
Electronics
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Buy an appropriate programmable timer/controller--it is the heart of any automated irrigation system. Timers/controllers are sold according to the number of stations they can control and the versatility they have for controlling each station. A timer/controller to combine drip and conventional sprinklers should have station-by-station capability to leave the water on either for minutes or hours, to repeat a cycle by station or to skip days all together. Basic models can be purchased from home improvement stores less than $30 (2010 estimate) and more capable units are available from irrigation suppliers or online and can cost several hundred dollars if irrigation needs are complex. A good, versatile one may cost a bit more, but will pay for itself in water savings.
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Check the specifications for the automatic irrigation valves you are buying or upgrading. In most cases there will be no problems, but some remote actuated valves will not open and close properly without sufficient GPM water flow that drip may not provide because of its low flow rate demands.
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Run and bury insulated low voltage wire between each irrigation valve and the timer/controller and make all the electrical connections. The wire is available from home improvement stores, or irrigation or electrical suppliers. It should be buried from 4 to 6 inches deep, or below any danger of hitting it when digging.
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Seal the connections at the irrigation valves with wire nuts and fill them with silicon rubber to prevent corrosion. Wire nuts that you can crimp to the wires with pliers will work best. Silicon rubber is available in small tubes at hardware or home improvement stores. It squeezes out in a gel form, cures in place when it comes in contact with air and yields an air- and water-tight seal.
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Test each station with the manual overrides on the controller to make sure all the valves are opening and closing properly. Adjust the flow rate as necessary.
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Program the timer/controller for the days of the week, time of day and duration to water each station.
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Tips & Warnings
An automatic valve will be required for each station, but multiple valves can be turned on at the same time.
Moisture sensors can be added to automatic irrigation timers/controllers. They will override the system and keep water from being turned on if it has been raining.
Drip irrigation components can't be buried but have to lay on or near the surface, so they are not a good choice for high traffic areas, areas prone to vandalism or situations where animals might chew on the tubing.
References
- Photo Credit Water root irrigation system image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
