Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Omaha, Ne.

Has anyone used a pump like this.http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=175092
I need some ideas getting it to work right. I need to be able to adjust the pressure. What kind of pressure switch will I need. Do I need a pressure tank?

3/27/2012 10:13:19 PM

Grumpy Gardener

Housatonic MA

Darren, coming from a plumbers point of view that pump is in no way made to be hooked up like it is in the picture. That looks like some kind of shallow well pump that needs to be hooked up to a pressure tank (just like a set up in a house that is on a well).The tank will have pressure switch that is a preset pressure and the punp will pump up to that pressure and then shut off. So the pump is used to pressurize the tank and then the water comes out of the tank and out to the patch under pressure. I have a set up like that for my patch and my friend Sweet1 is in the process of putting one together for his patch. A little confussing but hope it helps.

3/28/2012 7:18:09 AM

marley

Massachusetts

darren, coming from another plumbers point of view, grumpy is right, you need to set it up like a well system with that kind of pump. also you will have less priming problems if you set the pump outside the bottom of the tank, draw the water off the bottom, also if you do set it up this way put in a electric float switch close to the bottom of the tank, as not to burn the pump out when the storage tank runs dry! i know a few people who learned this the hard way, they also have different pumps that might work better, depending on the applications,an on demand (camper pump) might work, but is very limited in the amount of water it will supply, you would have to zone this type of pump, scott............

3/28/2012 7:47:05 AM

Lexington, Ky

Coming from a non-plumbers point of view....lol, with respect to previous responses, the pump in question appears to be a lawn sprinkler pump, maybe 1/2 horsepower or greater, he also mentions "sprinkler pump"......so, if the pump is in fact a shallow well pump, pay no attention to my response!

You say you need to adjust pressure...do you really need adjustable pressure or do you simply need to reduce it? If a reduction is all that's needed, a cheap in line water regulator would be perfect.

If you could tell us a little more about the end of the line set up, it would be helpful, i.e., drip tape, sprinklers or whatever. Also, how much of a "run" from your water supply to the patch? What's the manufacture claims in regard to pressure and volume?

I agree with Marley in that you'd be much better off getting the pump outside and bottom of your tank. If your pump is a non-sealed sprinkler pump, I would call your set up an accident waiting to happen.

3/28/2012 10:14:58 AM

Lexington, Ky

I reviewed your diary, alot of the questions I had are answered there. Unless you dislike the sprinkler distribution pattern, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, except for moving that pump! LOL Nice job on your layout, like the walk ways.....

Have you resolved your timer issue?

3/28/2012 10:31:11 AM

Omaha, Ne.

it is a sprinkler pump. I am use Dan's miros the pressure is use to high. 1320 do you mean the reducer use for drip lines? won't that burn the pump out resticting the pressure like that?

3/28/2012 10:45:22 AM

President - GPC

Darren....Email the WiZ please....GarytheWiZ@Comcast.net

3/28/2012 11:25:33 AM

The North Coast

Darren if you find out anything good please post it. I am running Dan's too and I am scratching my head a bit about pump sizing.

I am running 20 Dans with 20gph nozzels. This equals 6.7 gallons a minute through the sprinklers. I am looking for good pump size advice too.

3/28/2012 12:39:11 PM

marley

Massachusetts

darren, if you want to reduce the pressure, put a return line back to the tank off of the feed line with a ball valve and dump it back into the tank, and adjust your pressure that way, this way you dont restrict the pump, and is the cheapest way out...

3/28/2012 2:30:36 PM

Lexington, Ky

Without knowing the hp and flow rating of the pump, I can't say for sure if you're hurting your pump or not. How many sprinklers and their respective flow would be a great help as well. Generally, if there's back pressure you'll hear the pump cavitate.

Again, gotta agree with Marley regarding pressure reduction, he nailed it, that's an easy work around and would be a much better suggestion than an in line regulator.

3/28/2012 3:18:15 PM

President - GPC

Bat Cave are you using the orange restrictorZ?

3/28/2012 3:35:33 PM

Omaha, Ne.

http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/pumps-well-tanks/pumps/1-hp-portable-lawn-sprinkling-pump/p-1448183.htm
Thanks for everyone's help. Here is the pump hope it helps.
I will have 30 of the dan's and some soaker hoses Last year I used a 6 station sprinkler setup. I would like to water at different Times of the day depending on the heat. I thought about a 110 timer. or pressure switch when the solenoid kicks on. I have the pump on top for the filter that is lowered in the tank, there is a check valve so the the pump shouldn't run dry. Thanks for the idea of a float switch for if the tank runs dry. Bat I'll post what I find in the end.

3/28/2012 3:44:08 PM

The North Coast

orange oblong spinner with the green nozzel. It is 20 gph at low psi (15-20).

Great idea on the pressure reduction marley.

3/28/2012 4:00:51 PM

The North Coast

I have seen more expensive pumps with the pressure cut off switch mounted on the side. This got me thinking that if you put a pressure switch after the pump and before the irragation timer, then ran the power of the pump through the pressure switch you'd be set. The pressure reduction would happen after the timer.

Irrigation timer would open, pressure would drop signaling the swith to close and activate the pump. The pump would be stopped when signaled by the pressure switch which would be opened by the increase in pressure when the timer closed.

3/28/2012 4:12:21 PM

Lexington, Ky

Possible 80 PSI from the pump.....do what Marley says.

3/28/2012 4:40:47 PM

President - GPC

Change to the orange noZZleZ for the Dan Micro...will do much better and you wont need so much preZZure....18cent a piece..... I also run the anti misterZ too....and get my 12 foot cross....check them out
www.Dripirragation.com search for Dan Micro's...I love mine!

3/28/2012 5:05:18 PM

President - GPC

http://www.dripirrigation.com/drip_irrigation_categories/144

Better, I hate searching for them there...I have all the specs at home....These are probably the best out there to use... you know they are working upside downZ...lol

3/28/2012 5:10:19 PM

Omaha, Ne.

lookie lookie what I found a Pump start relay, it lets the sprinkler pump get turned on and off from the sprinkler timer.
Now I just have the pressure deal to figure out. Running it back into the tank may be the way.
http://www.orbitonline.com/support/guides/Manualsearch4.cfm?Brand=02&Type=Accessories&FAM_ID=615&FAM_DESCRIPTION=Pump%20Start%20Relay

3/28/2012 6:17:38 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Pump cost 149.00
Pump start relay 39.00
And that just a drop in the bucket Lol

3/28/2012 6:20:51 PM

Green Gene

Putnam Ct.

Darren I use pretty much the same pump and tank it is hooked up to 6 Wizzers for over head watering. You need to put the pump below the tank and like the others said put an electric float switch toward the bottom of the tank so you don't burn out your pump.

3/28/2012 6:26:28 PM

The North Coast

Good looking out Wiz. I will order them and have them on hand at start up. I like having flow options.

3/28/2012 6:40:59 PM

TruckTech1471

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Agree with marley relevant to pressure regulation. Divert some of your delivery back to the tank through a ball valve.

3/28/2012 8:52:17 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Looks like I'll have to to get a new sprinkler timer mine don't have a spot for the pump relay wire. More money more money. And I'll make a overflow back to the tank, I like this idea. No money Lol.
And I'll have to move the pump to the bottom. Now I'll have a filter problem. I was proud of the one I made that I could take out of the top to clean. ( I would think algae would start to clog everything.)Guess I'll have to try a in line filter.
Can you say money pit.

3/28/2012 9:31:42 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Bp is awesome. Thanks everyone for brainstorming.

3/28/2012 9:34:44 PM

TruckTech1471

South Bloomfield, Ohio

If you bypass delivery to the tank, agitation should make algae concerns a non-issue.

3/28/2012 10:27:40 PM

PumpkinBrat

Paradise Mountain, New York

Hi Darren,
I kinda do and kinda don't have a pump like yours. Some call me the master mine or Mr. Fix anything. This is what I would do from the looks of your picture. Take the pump off of the top of your holding tank and place it on the ground. This way, if you never run the tank dry, it will always be primed. This is how I have my pump. It sets lower then my 400 gallon tank and I only have to prime it once in a while if I run my tank dry. Second, run another shut off valve on your PVC to a return to your holding tank. with some playing around and adjusting the second valve, you can open it up more or less to get what pressure you want to want to come out to your sprinklers. Plus others are right that it would work better with a pressure switch and a tank. But then again that's more money. The way I said to try it, will also work. My system has worked for me. But my system feeds a 2 inch PVC pipe and I run eight hoses off of i. Pump runs all the time, but I also run one hose back into my tank to give other hoses less pressure. Hope this helps you out.... Brian

3/28/2012 11:16:58 PM

marley

Massachusetts

dont go crazy with the fancy electric float switches, use a ball type sump pump switch, attatch it to a pvc pipe and send it down the tank, home depot or lowes have it, and joe you so right! non issue with the algae, and darren an in-line filter would be the best option, but install the next size up from the size of your main feed line, filters tend to drop water volume and pressure dramatically, so installing a filter might solve your excessive pressure problem, but might put strain on your pump,and you might not get the volume you need, sorry still brainstorming, scott

3/28/2012 11:22:37 PM

President - GPC

Great PostZ here....BP at itZ best....!

3/29/2012 10:10:44 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Sump pump vertical float switch 34.99
Sprinkler timer W/ pump wire connection 39.99
Up and up she go where she stop nobody knows.
Watch it will be like a getting new snow blower then in don't snow. Now it will rain all year. Lol.

3/29/2012 10:46:32 AM

Lexington, Ky

I have the same luck Darren!

3/29/2012 12:39:46 PM

Omaha, Ne.

It works
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=175415

3/30/2012 8:30:49 AM